Jardin D'Ulysse — Restaurant in Goa

We stayed here for a week, including 3 days of working from the room. We stayed at the Rubinson Crusoe room which has a kitchen, a front balcony facing the kitchen and an open dining area at the entrance. The owner also stays at the property with his family. The place is very famous among the foreign crowd.

Overall I would say it was a mixed experience as there were some high points as well as low points during the stay

Amenities available (specific to type of room) - One bedroom, one open dining room, one balcony, one kitchen. One bed (less than queen size), one desert cooler, 1 refrigerator , some utensils like a frying pan, glasses, plates, cutlery, spatula, dish cleaner, 4 burner LPG stove, one cupboard, a few chairs, dining table, geyser

Positives

Our room was on the first floor and had a clear view of the Chapora river Rustic cottage vibe with jute curtains Allowed us a very Early check in at 8am Location - Not only because it is in morjim, relatively peaceful area, but also it is on the edge where Chapora river so you get the best of both worlds. Beware that it is atleast 30 mins from the other touristy spots Scooty and Car rentals are located at walking distance. Few grocery stores and wine stores are also located at walking distance The restaurant's food taste and presentation are both great so is the ambiance, a must go during live performances. For the vegetarians, although the menu is limited, do try their Cheela (chickpeas omelet) for breakfast, haven't tasted anything like this- with mushroom and spinach. (Separate review for restaurant) Laundry was included in our package which was great considering you would need to change your clothes often if you are on a beach. On the first day itself we made some requests such as having a bucket since the water pressure was a bit low, chakla belan, both of which wee quickly fulfilled and they bought new ones for us No TV ( yes it's a positive for this place) Room tariff is quite affordable Fairy lights in the balcony look beautiful

Negatives

-The key reason for booking was the homely and friendly charm of the place. Because of some reason we didn't get any. Although the owner seemed comfortable with the other guests,exchanging stories, it felt like he was ignoring us for some reason. No one ever bothered to ask us if we were comfortable or anything could be improved even till the last day. Some of the furniture was broken, cupboards in the kitchen, writing desk. Bedroom light did not work This room had a desert cooler instead of AC and is not the best choice for Goa's humid weather. We were informed about it in advance . Plus it needs to be filled up every 2nd day depending on use. This needs 2-3 buckets which we had to do, on mug at a time, as housekeeping doesn't bother. Plus the cooler fan speed kept varying on it's own. cleanliness of rooms was poor. The kitchen was disappointing. Found a cockroach among the utensils, had to ask for the kitchen to be cleaned again. No one bothered to remove the webs this specific room has spiral staircase, might not be comfortable with everyone. Especially difficult in light because of poor lighting. the fan in the dining area is of no use, makes sitting there difficult, no fan in front balcony, but we used to manage by moving the air cooler around No power backup, although it was not a problem on most days, but we had significant fluctuations on one day which made working difficult. Mobile signal reception is not great , wifi speeds 5 Mbps, jio speed 2Mbps Even the room with the kitchen has no water filter, for drinking water depend on mineral water You have to ask for everything- daily mineral water, room cleaning. Stray dogs - the restaurant staff and visitors were fine with stray dogs entering the dining area, some people are not that comfortable (especially after seeing one of them peeing inside the restaurant) Toilet flush design is pathetic (imagine having to wait and flush 3 times every time you take a dump) No record keeping of laundry

Hoping the...

Jardin D'ulysse had been on our date night list for a while now but somehow, in our multiple trips to Goa over the past 2 years, have never been able to make it. While scouting for a place to stay over the long weekend, however, serendipity intervened and we stumbled upon their property and booked it instantaneously

What followed was a blissful four days in the North of Goa, on the shores of Morjim, far from the crowds, unique only to long weekends. The property houses a cozy restaurant, a few extremely well done cottages and a small boutique store (Zephyr by Fleur) for a diverse collection of ethnic kaftans, totes, jewellery and whatever else your sun-kissed heart may desire.

We stayed in the Deluxe suite, complete with an open shower and well done interiors. The cottages oozes rustic charm and is a welcome stay for a couple trying to escape the noise of the city. The cottages itself are nestled just behind the main house and is extremely private with the fields on one side and the property gardens on the other, with a large sit out area for morning coffee or evening drinks. The cottage was large, clean and well maintained with select pieces of unique furniture peppered around the room. The bed was extremely comfortable and made for a good nights sleep and sometimes an afternoon siesta (the susegado life after all, no?)

Onto the one thing that truly won us over - the people of Jardin D'ulysse. From the first night itself, Gilbert (the owner) made us feel wholly at home and was always available for a quick chat, even on busy days. From the gorgeous cocktails to the beautifully plated food that looked almost too good to eat (but eat you must, because the food is beyond words!) we were bowled over by the vibe of the place. Their service is impeccable, the staff always attentive and have a smile through it all. Special shout-outs to Ryan who was our go to person for the local joints to explore; Martin, who always made us feel like we were his only guests in a full restaurant and the chef, whose passion for food you could feel coming through every dish we ordered. On one night, where the was live music on, it truly felt like sitting through an episode of Cheers! In the best way possible.

Food recommendations: EVERYTHING. We ate most of our meals over our 4 days there, so we do consider ourselves novices in the Jardin menu. Top picks: Starters: Pork momos, Lamb meatballs with mint chutney and Norwegian salmon bruchettas (ask for the off-menu liver pate starter) Mains: Rum steak, Beef Lasagne and Grilled Sea-bass Desserts: Fleur’s chocolate mousse, banana flambe, tiramisu P.S. - their coffee will give you some serious coffee goals.

Some places stay with you wherever you go and Jardin D'ulysse will remain one of those for a long, long time - just like Gilbert’s resounding, full laugh - one you’ll will remember and smile at fondly when raving about and recommending the place to...

A stay that felt like a warm embrace.

Some places you just sleep at. And then there are places like Jardin d’Ulysse — where you arrive as a guest but leave feeling like a part of the story.

The moment I stepped in, I was greeted not by staff, but by three wagging tails and the kindest eyes — the sweetest dogs who made my travel stress melt instantly. Before I could finish smiling at them, I was welcomed by the elder members of the family, who live right here on the property. This isn’t a hotel. It’s a home. And they fold you into it with such grace and ease, it almost catches you off guard — in the best possible way.

My room? An absolute gem. A beautiful blend of heritage charm and modern comfort — high ceilings, characterful decor, a rock-solid AC, a sleek bathroom, and even a second room with a full kitchen. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to extend your trip... indefinitely.

Latika, the host, is truly the captain of this serene ship — effortlessly ensuring everything flows smoothly. Her eye for detail and the care she pours into every guest’s experience is rare and beautiful. Martin from the staff was just as delightful — kind, attentive, and always ready with a helping hand and a warm smile.

And the breakfast? Honestly, it felt like a love language. Everything I asked for was served with care, and then came the surprise: a homemade cake, fresh and delicate. The coffee? Rich, aromatic, and absolutely divine — the kind that gently coaxes your soul awake.

One of my favorite moments — I was chilling at the beach, soaking in the sun, when Latika’s brother found me and handed me a cold, local People’s beer and he also opened it for me with a bottle of sprite! No words. Just perfect timing and a shared smile. That’s the kind of intuitive warmth you can’t fake.

Though my stay lasted just a night, the feeling it left behind will stay with me for much longer. Jardin d’Ulysse is not just a place — it’s a feeling. Of home, of kindness, of slowing down and truly being cared for.

I’m already counting the days until I can return — and next time, for far longer. Thank you to the entire family for a stay that was equal parts soulful, stylish, and...