Mateus Hotel

A charming boutique option that Fontainhas, Panjim’s Latin Quarter has been screaming out for. Tucked down an unassuming by lane, you can’t miss its sunny yellow edifice. Walking distance from some of Fontainhas’s best restaurants, cafes and galleries: Blue Tokai, Venite’s and La Maison are all within walking distance. You may want to make the most of these, as the menu at the hotel is not much to write home about. Isla Van Damme (or LouLous as she is fondly known by most) local Goan legend, is responsible for the interiors. Expect exposed concrete with statement tiles. Mid-century furnishings and fixtures. There is a charming outdoor courtyard, with hanging plants and a very bijous plunge pool. Mateus is small and simple. No televisions in the room, not much in the way of communal areas, it is a place to drop your bags and explore the vibrant history of Goa’s Latin Quarter, whilst staying in a hotel with an aesthetic like no other in the area. Boutique lovers will adore it, but those who prefer the services and facilities of a chain hotel may find Mateus lacking.