Having stayed previously in Baga,Arpora,Colva and Varca we decided to try further north and selected the Cuba Retreat in Mandrem. All our research told us that it would be a quiet and relaxing place with a beautiful beach.
We flew with Thomas Cook this time- having decided never to use Monarch again- and had an excellent flight arriving at about 6-00am. We grabbed a taxi and arrived in Mandrem at about 7-20am [taxi 975 rupees].
All was quiet when we arrived at the Cuba Retreat [12 Rooms] but Kevin and his staff soon greeted us and showed us to our rooms which were fairly basic but clean, with a double bed,ceiling fan,TV and wet-room style bathroom. Breakfast was next and then we went to explore Mandrem.
The beach is about a 2 minute walk and it was superb and stretched for miles in both directions-only problem for me was the lack of shade,but I am sure that would not be a problem for you sun-worshippers!! There were a few beach shacks which provided sun beds and food and... more