Is it worth staying at?

I saw this Airbnb in Nerul, Goa years ago and saved it for the aesthetic. There isn’t too much to do in Nerul, so I knew it’d be a staycation kind of place. Hang out at the penthouse, eat good food, watch the rain, take a dip type of weekend. So if you ever wondered if this penthouse in Nerul, Goa, is as amazing as it looks in the photos, I just spent a few nights there, and here’s the lowdown. Tucked away in the serene area of middle Goa in Nerul, this penthouse offers a perfect blend of luxury and tranquility. From the moment I stepped in, it felt like my own little slice of paradise.

I booked via Airbnb. Getting to Cinnamon Lofts penthouse in the small town of Nerul was fairly simple. The address is accurate on Google Maps and you can easily locate the apartments. It has a peaceful view of the river and is surrounded by lush greenery. Check-in was seamless, thanks to our friendly host, but it came with a long list of check-in procedures listed below. Please be aware that a security deposit is necessary and that the checkout time is really, really early. I find it slightly annoying that we have to pay a cash security deposit because it’s not common anywhere else in the world to owe cash deposits. It’s also just not worth staying a night if you’re being forced to check out early. I did see the other penthouse when I was checking out, and the previous guests had left it really messy, so I think they need a 4-hour turnaround time for cleaning to be completed. But honestly, they could just hire more people for the $150/night cost of staying. I feel like it is overpriced mostly because WHO wants to check out at 10:30 AM?!

We got texted this set of rules once our booking was approved so here’s a preview if you’re considering booking!

1. Please note that the check-in time is 2 pm, and checkout time is 10:30 am. We appreciate guests checking out on time so that we may prepare the space for the next guest.
2. We do not permit any parties or large gatherings in the apartments and do not allow outside guests to stay overnight. We request our guests to maintain this rule for the duration of their stay.
3. We take a security deposit from all our guests at the time of check-in and return this amount at checkout, provided there is no damage to the place and its contents. This amount would be Rs 6000. It would be best to provide this amount to us in cash at the time of check-in.
4. We are unable to accommodate guests without IDs, so please do have these handy at the time of check-in. Please also ensure that all IDs have address proof.

Room Experience

My favorite part of this experience was the architecture and interior design. It was spacious and elegantly designed with an amazing balcony. The amenities included a decently equipped kitchen, an open living area, and luxe bedrooms with a gorgeous view of palm leaves. I’m a sucker for the palm leaves. The industrial design is minimalistic, and I love how they’ve kept it very open, airy, and roomy. If I needed to lock myself away to write or crank out a couple of pieces of work, this apartment would be perfection. The beds were incredibly comfortable. It has two bathrooms. The shower is separated by curtains so it’s a very Bali like feel. The roof is amazing—not sure what the material is, but it amplifies the sound of the rain, and it was an enchanting experience to fall asleep to every night in the monsoon season. The cleaning crew did an excellent job, making the stay even more enjoyable. The entire place was spotless after their late morning cleaning round.

Facilities and Amenities

While there’s no on-site restaurant, the well-equipped kitchen allowed us to prepare our meals. Plenty of pots, pans, cutlery, plates, and even salt and pepper. The fridge came stocked with eggs, bread, and a box of milk. We made our breakfasts with eggs and bread delivered in the morning. Plus, there are some fantastic local eateries nearby that deliver really quickly. Swiggy, Zomato, all deliver groceries and any take-out food you would want to the front desk. The staff then brings it upstairs. It probably took us max 20 minutes to get Domino’s. That pizza craving hits HARD at 11 pm haha.

The plunge pool at the penthouse is definitely a highlight. It’s a pretty small pool but comfortable for four people to hang out in. Honestly, it’s more like a hot tub than a large pool. It had a few jets, which was nice. The temperature depends on whatever the weather is outside. Since there’s not much to do around our Airbnb, we actually hung out in there quite a bit. I definitely appreciate how clean it’s been kept—seriously, it was spotless! Since our visit was during the monsoon season, the lounge chairs didn’t have cushions, but the daybeds did. Understandable though, since it must be a pain to clean each time new guests arrive. Overall, I’d say the pool does make it worth the price for a staycation. The pool lights during the nighttime are a total vibe too. The balcony is extremely well done! I also loved the access to a beautiful, well-maintained pool downstairs that is open to all guests. Didn’t get a chance to use it since it was a bit too rainy for proper laps.

Good value for a staycation

So was it worth the price? Honestly, for the level of comfort and aesthetic, this Nerul penthouse could offer great value for the money if you’re staying in. I have no regrets staying there for 2 days. But is this an Airbnb I want to return to? Nah, I’m good; I won’t be rebooking. Once again, the checkout time being at 10:30 AM is a hard pass for me. Overall, though, I would recommend this spot in Nerul for a couple’s staycation or a luxurious, aesthetic, peaceful getaway if they’re in the mood for bougie or want to ball out for a weekend. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a friend, this idyllic escape has it all. I don’t have any regrets staying at this spot to cross it off my Goa list.