A headboard in a let room gets leaned on by one guest after another, marked with sun cream and hair oil, and then shut in a damp room when the season ends. In Mandrem that argues for a plain shape in leatherette or a tight performance weave, which wipes clean and can be re-covered without fuss. Skip deep tufting. Humidity from the creek is the other concern: hang the board on the wall with a gap behind for air, do not press padding against an outside wall, and have the plywood back sealed all over against the salty beach air. A wooden headboard also suits the simple style here.
- Retreat rooms: a flat, wipeable headboard in a calm colour, hung on the wall with an air gap behind it.
- Small resort bedrooms near the creek: leatherette over a board sealed front and back, so damp does not get in.
- Old houses let for the season: a plain wooden headboard fixed to the bed, which needs no care while the house is shut.
Mandrem is a quiet beach village in Pernem, where a creek runs behind the sand and is crossed by small bamboo bridges. It is known for yoga retreats and wellness resorts, with a village of old houses set back among the palms.
Stays here are retreats, small resorts and houses let for the season. The style is calm and simple, with a lot of outdoor living space.
The creek makes Mandrem humid and brings mosquitoes; the beach side is salty and breezy. The season runs from about November to April.
Sea-facing homes
Fix a headboard a little off a sea-facing wall so air can move behind it, and choose a synthetic or leatherette cover that does not hold damp. Wooden backing boards should be sealed on both sides.
Riverside and backwater homes
In a damp room, avoid thick padding pressed hard against an outside wall. A wall-hung headboard with a gap behind it, in a cover that can be wiped, stays fresh.
What do you suggest for a yoga retreat in Mandrem?
Plain, washable curtains in calm colours, bamboo blinds for open-sided spaces, and mosquito nets on room windows near the creek.
Can open-sided halls be screened from rain and sun?
Yes. Bamboo blinds give shade and privacy, and clear PVC blinds keep rain out. Both roll up when not needed.