After years of back and forth, my friends and I finally set a date to our Goa trip this year in October. It was a great time to be in Goa. The peak season was just about beginning so it wasn't as crowded and expensive and the weather was perfect. The last time I had visited Goa, it was with my family and we had chosen to stay in the South. So naturally, I wanted to see what all north Goa had up its sleeve. We were three girls and here's what we were looking for in our ideal property:

- We preferred a hotel so we didn't have to take ownership of cleanliness and general order {judge me all you want but the whole point of a Goa trip is to be careless and avoid any and all kinds of responsibilities}

- Close proximity to the beach and popular night clubs

- Swimming pool

- Easy access to the market {mainly wine shops}

We wanted all this but without denting our pockets too much. The property that checked off all our boxes whilst also thwowing in some extra perks was the super vibrant Ibis Styles in Calangute. Simply put, it's a budget boutique hotel that's great in service and very chic in aesthetics. Lined with beautiful palm trees, Ibis gives you all the feels of the tropical beach holiday you always dreamed of.

The hotel boasts of beautiful Queen and Twin rooms, two very nicely maintained swimming pools and a fitness centre, along with a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar. We booked two interconnected  Deluxe Queen Rooms and each one came with a pool-view balcony, a well-appointed bathroom and a super comfy queen-size bed. Additional facilities included a mini fridge, electric kettle, a flat-screen tv, and a closet with a locker. The size of the room is pretty modest but it's designed smartly to maximise the feel of space. The interiors too, are kept minimal and sophisticated. We were super happy with the prompt service of the hotel staff while enjoying maximum privacy throughout our stay.

The in-house restaurant called Spice It gave us plenty of chances to enjoy our favourite dishes as well as try out some popular local curries and breads. The extensive breakfast buffet spoiled us for choice and was something I looked forward to every morning. My favourites included the butter dosa and fluffy chocolate pancakes! I loved the cheerful vibe of the restaurant which further added to our dining experience. There's also an outdoor seating by the pool where you can enjoy you food along with some stellar cocktails from the bar.

There's a lot you can do and see, thanks to the hotel's great location. For when you want to have the quintessential beach-and-shack experience, head to the nearby Calangute beach which is an easy 10-minute walk from the hotel. Closer to the property lies Tivai beach, a fairly secluded and extremely clean beach by north Goa standards. The hotel offers a free pick and drop Thar service for Tivai beach. Venture a little further and you'll find yourself near the super happening Candolim Beach at a driving distance of about 15 minutes. 

You can also enjoy a heritage walk around the area and explore beautiful portuguese architecture and vintage churches. All in all, Ibis Styles Calangute gives you a complete bang for your buck while keeping the best of Goa within your reach: popular beaches, forts, night markets and the most happening party spots.