A charming heritage hotel in Fontainhas, Panaji’s hopefully soon-to-be UNESCO-recognized Latin Quarter. Panjim Inn is an excellent base for both travellers in transit and those who want to enjoy the culture, shopping and dining around the Goan capital.

A visit to Goa is rarely complete without a stop-off in Panaji (aka Panjim), where one can soak up the Portuguese architecture within the city, taste the delights of the various cafés and restaurants on offer, or catch up on essential shopping that the beaches can’t satisfy.

Panaji has a handful of good hotels, but nothing quite matches up to Panjim Inn for atmosphere and warmth, with the hotel acting as something of a travellers’ hub, making it a great place to meet new people or simply relax in a convivial atmosphere with good food and drink while plotting your next move.

If you’re looking to stay where the action is and don’t mind a bit of hustle-bustle or street sounds, Panjim Inn’s central building is a good place to be. The Inn is more than a century old and carefully restored, with the original Portuguese façade boasting exquisite Burma teak wood rafters and beams.

Besides the main Panjim Inn building, the hotel also has two neighbouring properties which serve to create a lovely feeling of community: the Panjim Peoples, a converted schoolhouse that hosts 4 suites, a café and the Gitanjali art gallery, and the Panjim Pousada, a converted Hindu property with a pleasant central courtyard hosting a display of work by local artists.

Peaceful during the day, it’s when the sun goes down and the lights come on that Panjim Inn really comes into its own, with the balcony and courtyard restaurant an inviting, bustling venue in its own right, and a wonderful place to spend an evening with good company, food and drink.