This superb 3-bedroom house is the part-time home of two renowned Goan artists. Along with all mod-cons and the effortlessly styled interiors, it’s the sleepy village location, the hazy view across the rice fields and the scooters, cows and smiling schoolchildren that make staying here so worthwhile.

Here in Mandrem, just 10 minutes inland from the beach is enough to feel far, far removed from tourist Goa.

Though this area is far from busy compared to areas further south such as Morjim, Anjuna then Vagator and Calangute, there are still enough amenities here to make a trip practical and rewarding, even with kids in tow.

The Artists’ House is around a decade old and unlike anywhere else we have seen, with the benefits of being modern yet with none of the slapdash finishing or new-money ugliness often found in India’s newer architecture.

Staying here offers something very different to the usual ‘villa rentals’ that dominate the state with their glitzy pools, tired locations and limited experiential value. Instead, stay here to retreat to a lovely, cool house that’s group and child-friendly and easily exposes you to both sides of Goa.