Casa Susegad

Rooms

Each of the 5 rooms is spacious and well-appointed, with antique Indian furniture, a deep-sprung mattress on a large bed and an ensuite bathroom.

Rooms are named after semi-precious stones, which are found in the decorative floor borders. Colour schemes reflect the stone, as do the gorgeous hand-sewn patchwork quilts. Each room opens up to its own terrace area with a table where breakfast or tea may be taken.

The largest and most popular is the Sunshine Room, whose warm yellows provide a calm and inviting atmosphere. This is the only room without air conditioning, as its traditional high ceiling is open to the rafters and allows constant air flow, keeping temperatures comfortable year-round. Often used as a honeymoon suite, the Sunshine Room has its own private garden and a magnificent monsoon rain shower.

The Turquoise Room instills an inner calm with its deep blue-green walls. Turquoise is seen as a healing and protective stone, and the room provides a relaxing respite for guests. The room is wheelchair accessible, and has a wet room rather than a separate shower area.

The Carnelian Room glows from within like a sunset, with ambient light reflecting softly off its warm orange walls. The original glass-front teakwood cupboards are a nice touch.

The soft pink light of the romantic and peaceful Rose Room is filtered through a skylight and 2 large recessed windows that open to the pool terrace.

Bathrooms have large shower cubicles with top-of-the-range Jaguar taps and rain showers.

Carole and Norman's own private suite and quarters (the Hosts' Suite), which include an amazing custom-made kingsize teak bed crafted on site, can be let as part of a whole-house rental.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• WiFi

Eating

The 4-course dinners at Casa Susegad are not to be missed. The food is a fusion of Goan cuisine and imaginative continental dishes. Carole often starts her day at the local market, and has worked painstakingly with her wonderful staff to prepare traditional local dishes as well as train them in her own recipes. Everything is organic, and meals are prepared in the well-equipped, large kitchen or over a traditional wood fire.

You'll never have the same dish twice; ask Carole about the Goan chicken or the incredible fish wrapped in a banana leaf, or the fresh seafood platter followed by mango crumble with vanilla custard. She will also create a meal just for you if you tell her what you fancy. If you ask, your hosts will happily lead you on a tour of the kitchen and garden, pulling samples of the many fruits they grow right off the trees or offering a bite out of something cooking on the stove for you to try.

Lunch is also available for guests, and is usually homemade soups with fresh salads or sandwiches. Breakfast is served on each room’s terrace, and tea is always offered in the afternoons.

Local neighbours often join the guests and hosts for meals, and after a day or 2 you will feel part of the charming village. Meals are eaten en famille in the sumptuous formal dining room, or if you prefer to be alone, al fresco on the terrace, in the lounge in front of a movie, or in the guest’s own room.

Cocktails are often organised at the sunset spot looking down over the house and grounds - the perfect way to end the day. Carole makes a particularly delicious vodka lime soda with ginger. Other available refreshments, including beer, wine, juice and soft drinks, are available in the communal kitchen on an honour basis - guests simply help themselves at any time, and write down what they had on a tally sheet.

If you want to eat out, we have heard good reports about Archies Bar in the village for dinner.

Features include:

• Children's meals

Activities

• The area abounds with wildlife, from monkeys swinging through the mango and cashew trees to extensive birdlife. A walk around the property and through the surrounding forest trails, which Norman will gladly direct you to, is always interesting and relaxing
  
  
• The main road of Loutolim can be arrived at after a nice 15-minute walk (or a 5-minute cycle - Casa Susegad has 2 bicycles for guests to borrow) down quiet, tree-shaded lanes. An ancestral Goa cultural centre, several small shops and a variety of local vendors provide an interesting way to experience South Indian village life
  
  
• A yoga teacher comes to Casa Susegad every Thursday morning; guests are invited to practice with Norman and Carole. It's a beautiful setting in which to get some exercise and zen calm at the same time
  
  
• The pristine and quiet beach is a 20-minute drive away - ideal for a day's getaway
  
  
• A perfect day or half-day trip is to hire a car and discover Old Goa, visiting its historic churches, ports and colonial mansions
  
  
• For those who fancy a massage or spa treatment, the hosts can recommend a nearby spa or arrange a private treatment in your room
  
  
• Guests can go fishing by local boat from Isla de Rachol with one of the staff members, who has family on the river there, or go sailing in Patnem, about an hour away
  
  
• Carole is happy to offer cooking or jewellery-making classes; avid gardeners are invited to garden alongside her and learn about Indian plants
  
  
• South India is known for its aromatic, fascinating spice plantations. A visit to one is a delightful trip, and you can also wash or be washed by the elephants!

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cooking classes
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• Wildlife
• Yoga

Kids

Well-behaved and well-supervised children are welcome at all times. Casa Susegad has rambling gardens, cats and dogs, and ancient doorway leading to a jungle filled with monkeys and birds. Carole and Norman encourage a warm atmosphere in the house. The only drawback is the short drive to the beach but it is magical to stay somewhere steeped in rural tranquility.

Parents of children of all ages have given it a big thumbs up, however, we think that it would be too quiet for older teens and the grounds are not that well suited to toddlers.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Families are usually encouraged to take the Sunshine Room (sleeping 4 if you add 2 beds) and you can also add a bed or cot to the Carnelian Room. If you book the whole house (5 rooms), you can also book the Host's Suite, which also sleeps 4 with 2 extra beds. All rooms have showers, not baths.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

Distances:

• Airport: 30 minutes
• Doctor: 10 minutes
• Shops: 10 minutes' walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa Susegad is just outside the small village of Loutolim, near Salcete in South Goa.

By Air
Goa's Dabolim International Airport (22km away) is approximately 30 minutes' drive from the house. It has frequent flights on domestic Indian airlines, including services from Bombay and Bangalore (both with a flight time of 50 minutes), Delhi (a flight time of 2 hours), Calcutta (a flight time of 2.5 hours) and tourist cities like Jaipur and Agra. Click on the links below for a full list of airlines serving this airport.

From the Airport
Transfers can be arranged - see Rates - and are recommended, as the house is not easy to find and drivers familiar with it are preferable.

By Train
The nearest train station is Margao, 9km away. A taxi can be arranged to meet you at the station.

By Car
It's not advisable to come by car because roads are not well-marked and the small village roads make it easy to get lost.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Goa and getting around