Around India In 80 Trains

After fleeing a desolate hotel with broken furniture that looked like something out of Tarantino's Hostel, I was brought to the Hotel Tanish by a friendly, helpful auto driver. The hotel was just off the central gardens in Margao, up a small winding road covered in electrical shops and snack bars. In truth it's impossible to find from the street as it's housed in a shopping complex, but is one of the best options if you're stopping on business or waiting for a morning train.

Having got in at 9.30pm they still had a double room available for Rs.500 which was huge, bright, clean, and had a variety of modern fixtures including nifty reading lights, air-conditioning that worked and they even offered soaps, clean fluffy towels and constant hot water. An attached bathroom was done up with bright blue tiles that were so clean I would have licked the floor and walls. Their shower was powerful, incredibly clean and the western toilet had plenty of toilet paper lined up at the side.

After ringing down for a pen, the staff came running upstairs within seconds and brought plenty of water, checking in every so often to make sure all was alright. Check-out was at 11.am and was handled efficiently and quickly so I could make my train easily. A great hotel and at such a reasonable rate, is excellent value.

Double rooms start at Rs.500 with a Rs.15 service charge.