On a clifftop that takes salt spray and monsoon rain driven sideways, the outer walls of Vagator's villas and hotels are no place for wallpaper. Keep it to sheltered inner walls, and treat any wall that has ever shown a damp patch before covering it; where damp returns, PVC panels are the better finish. Vinyl is the only type worth using here, and the wall should be primed against fungus first. Red laterite dust is the other local factor. It settles in textured and flocked surfaces and stains pale ones, so smooth vinyl in mid or earthy tones stays presentable longest. In rooms that are let, put the paper behind the bed, away from luggage, and keep a spare roll.
- Guest rooms in boutique hotels: hard-wearing vinyl on the sheltered wall at the bedhead, in a design that will not date quickly.
- Villa living rooms facing the sea: paper the back wall only, the one furthest from the terrace doors and the spray.
- Corridors and entrance halls on the plateau: leave painted or panelled, since bags, wind-blown dust and damp feet all meet there.
Vagator sits on red laterite cliffs north of Anjuna, below the ruins of Chapora Fort. Its beaches lie at the foot of the cliffs, and the plateau above has hotels, clubs, restaurants with sea views and villas.
Buildings on the plateau are placed for the view: boutique hotels, restaurants and villas with terraces facing west. Terraces and outdoor seating are central to how they are used.
The clifftop is one of the windiest places on the coast. Salt spray, strong sun and red dust all reach it, and unguided outdoor fabric does not last.
Sea-facing homes
Sea-facing walls take in salt and moisture, and paper lifts at the seams if the wall is not sealed. Use vinyl-coated wallpaper on an anti-fungal primer, and keep it to inner walls or walls that do not face the weather. Check for salt bloom on the plaster first.
Hilltop and plateau homes
Exposed walls on high ground are driven with rain in the monsoon. Paper the sheltered inner walls, and treat any wall that has shown damp patches before covering it. Vinyl wallpaper is the safe choice.
