The three-and-a-half-pearl Whispering Palms Beach Resort is a family-friendly property set a five-minute walk from Candolim Beach, with all-inclusive plans optional. There are enough activities and music to make sure both adults and kids are never bored, and most guests hang around the freeform pool with a kiddy section. The 106 contemporary, albeit simple, rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies or terraces. On the downside, the pool can get noisy and sunbeds are grabbed early. A buffet restaurant, Indian specialty eatery, and a lounge are some of the dining options. An animation team offers activities and beach trips for adults, and a kids' club has lots for little ones to keep busy. A small spa offers treatments and a gym has old equipment. For a calmer property, consider the nearby Seashell Beach Suites.

The four-pearl Fortune Acron Regina is one of the few hotels in Candolim with solid business amenities (including conference rooms and faster-than-average Wi-Fi). All 102 of the elegant guest rooms are air-conditioned and many look out over the gorgeous central courtyard, a lush space with a sprawling centerpiece lagoon pool. Dining options are nothing to scoff at, with buffets at all three meals served at the main Orchid Restaurant, plus a poolside barbecue restaurant and a separate lounge. Room service plus full- and half-board packages are available. Overall, this hotel's amenities are hard to beat, but it's a 10-minute walk from the beach, which may spur travelers to look elsewhere, such as the sea-facing The O Hotel.

Located in a southern suburb of Panaji, the capital of Goa, Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat is a quiet three-and-a-half-pearl resort with 69 rooms and suites near Vainguinim Beach. All of the units are well-maintained and have furnished balconies and split air-conditioning units, but the Wi-Fi service in most rooms is awful, making them inconvenient for business travelers (or really anyone who wants to send an email). The internet is much better in the main restaurant, where a free hot breakfast buffet is served daily. Unusual for a Goa hotel, this property also offers board plans for guests who want to eat meals at the property, though instead of offering buffet-style meals, guests are stuck with restricted menus. Travelers shopping around may want to compare rates and amenities at the beachfront Prainha Resort nearby.

Santiago Beach Resort is a three-pearl hotel that's popular with package tour Russian and British tourists. The 70 rooms feel like small apartments, with separate living rooms and bedrooms, though they only have simple wet bars with kettles and minibars rather than proper kitchenettes. Features include a lovely outdoor lagoon-style swimming pool surrounded by lounge chairs, a game room, and a spa. For dining, there are two restaurants: one featuring Indian and international cuisine, the other serving Thai fare. Half- and full-board meal plans are available and breakfast is included in all room rates. While it's a good option overall, with great amenities for its price point, getting to Baga Beach requires a 15-minute walk through town. Those looking for budget options closer to the shore should consider the three-pearl Fahrenheit Hotels and Resorts in nearby Calangute as an alternative.

At the end of a quiet side road off the main road in Candolim, the four-pearl Radisson strikes a good balance between a leisure and business hotel. The 78 rooms definitely have an executive feel, with streamlined furnishings, desks, and furnished balconies -- plus sleek marble bathrooms with gargantuan rainfall showerheads in the walk-in showers. Facilities include all the usual suspects, with two restaurants, an outdoor pool, a small gym, a spa, and even a beauty salon, plus a few extras such as a gift shop, free valet-parking, and a large conference room. The only real downside of staying here is that it's a 10-minute walk to the beach. Those looking for direct beach access should consider The O Hotel nearby, though the rooms there are markedly smaller than at the Radisson.