Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat descritpion

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat is in Dona Paula, a short 3-minute walk from Vainguinim Beach. It has 4 dining options, a spa facility, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool.
The hotel is 19 miles from Dabolim Airport and 13 miles from Karmali Train Station. Panjim Shopping Area is 4 miles from the hotel and Chance’s Casino is just next door.
The rooms at Sandalwood have private balconies and air conditioning. 24-hour room service, flat-screen TVs and a personal safe are provided. Free morning newspapers are available upon request.
Guests can exercise at the well-equipped fitness center or find entertainment at the game room. Sandalwood Retreat also provides car rentals and a tour desk.
Sea Pearl Restaurant serves local, Asian and international dishes. Tea and snacks can be enjoyed at the poolside Upper Coast Café. Drinks and cocktails are available at the Caitan ‘n’ Joe Bar and Salud Latino Bar.

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Facilities of Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

Outdoors ：Outdoor Pool (all year)

Pets ：Pets are not allowed.

Activities ：Ping-Pong | Fitness Center | Spa | Game Room | Entertainment Staff

Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)

Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

Parking ：Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is needed).

General ：Newspapers | Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms

Languages Spoken ：Hindi | English

Reviews for Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

Review 1：Not very easy to get transport. One has to negotiate for car hire since the resort is on foot of hill with no nearbye store i.e.Grocery store to buy Mineral water etc or any Chemist shop.

Review 2：Clean, Well Maintained and Vorteous Staff. Nice Buffet Breakfast.

Review 3：1. Requested double bed for honeymoon, but ends up getting twin bed that being joint together, this is quite dissapointing experience. 2. Room need refurbishment as can see "yellow" wall. 3. The route to the beach is opened to public and not a safe path because no security. 4. The hot shower is not stable and it will becomes too hot or too cold repeatedly. Overall it is hardly for us to come back again to this hotel unless improvements are taken into account.

Review 4：A variety choice of breakfasts which are delicious; receptionists are helpful during check out; Lobby staff is there to help us carry out bags; Complementary one way drop to Panaji is good for us.

Review 5：Standard room was dirty, toilet seat disgusting, looks like was not changed since 10 years ago, all facilities dated, walls and windows with stains, dust everywhere, sheets not change but turned over; the staff were pushy and overpowering as too many waiters were just hanging around; breakfast food had hair in it, few continental options; ordered vegetarian food and got non-veg and then told it is a minor mistake; swimming pool dirty; small beach is close by, but had to walk past sewage centre to get there, room smelled like smoke; taxi service was expensive.

Review 6：Nothing

Review 7：Just the air con is not very powerful enough to cool the whole room down quickly.

Review 8：Good room staff was onto it to make sure the stay was comfortable.Spacious room and well decorated.

Review 9：the first room allocated to me were not as nice the toilet seats were3 grotty. i complainer and the rooms were changed. they were spacoius and then i was more than happy

Review 10：the staff were excellant especially the restuarant staff. the quality of food in that restaurant was out of this world. i appreciated the xtra effort by management to provide live entertainment in the evenings, i really enjoyed that.

Review 11：Lock on door to balcony broken so wouldn't shut properly, TV had very limited channels and bad reception, wifi kept dropping out. Was overcharged at checkout, had to walk the staff through the bill and my booking before they accepted mistake been made.

Review 12：Comfortable bed. Good food.

Review 13：No adequate space to park and unload luggage. Just adequate breakfast spread. Nothing extraordinary compared to the amount charged

Review 14：Very well furnished. High end wood decor and neat layout of the suite make you feel at home

Review 15：The mattress,since far away, every time end up spending 400 Rs for a drop at Panjim

Review 16：Location is very near to a private beach. Near to Panjim, less crowded area. Food was excellent,fresh.

Review 17：ELEVATOR LOCKED ONE OF OUR STAFF; FOOD DID NOT CATER FOR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS, PERHAPS OK FOR LOCAL GUESTS BUT NOT FOR FOREIGN GUESTS; AS SUCH WE DID NOT FIND THE FOOD SERVED PALATABLE OR APPETIZING. HOTEL ONLY SEEMED TO LOOK 'GOOD' IN PICTURES BUT IT WAS NOT ACTUALLY THAT GOOD AT ALL.

Review 18：The bed clothes were dirty. When we asked for the sheets to be changed, we got more dirty sheets... Three times! My head board fabric was filthy... I had to keep a towel over it to avoid touching it. The bedroom chair was filthy. The bathroom was very roughly finished/plastered/painted so always looked like it needed to be cleaned.

Review 19：Staff were fantastic. Always helpful and friendly. Infact we felt like the only guests in the hotel we were so well looked after. I was amazed to see the hotel was actually very busy, but all the staff knew our every detail and were always on hand to help. They even kept the restaurant open late for us to ensure we had breakfast which was always fab as the chefs make the best omelettes and pancakes. They will make anything you ask for - even if it's not on the menu. The service here is top class.

Review 20：Location as it would cost 400 inr to get back from town which is too far to walk. They do have a shuttle service at 1030 am though. Pretty secluded.

Review 21：Phillip is an exceptional employee in the dining room. He made sure we had a delicious breakfast before our very early morning flight even. Place was very clean and modern. Bar staff fantastic and pool guy was always alert and attentive. Beach is very close but secluded.

Review 22：Quite far from other attractions, and the only choice for transportation is get the taxi service at the hotel (which is pretty expensive, not really negotiable), or rent a scooter (also from the hotel). Scooter we got was pretty worn down, meter wasn't running, etc. If you have your own transport, that is best. Reception staff was not really welcoming in the beginning, but I may understand that due to the busy weekend. Still, the incident where staff did not offer to help an elderly guest cut postcards and just chose to look at her did not sit well with me. Food in the hotel was basically Indian, not that much variety in my opinion.

Review 23：Room was very spacious (hall, bedroom, shower, kitchen counter). Better for families or large groups, it will be worth the money. Near Vanguinim beach, 5 min walk from hotel grounds. Word of caution: the beach is right beside Cicade De Goa hotel, and you might get told off by the security guard there for crossing the premises.

Review 24：There is nothing which i dont like about the hotel. All was awesome.

Review 25：I like the food that had been served in restaurant. It was awsome and the restaurant manager Phillips service was excellent and very well mannered and well behaved.

Review 26：Terrible hotel, grotty rooms. Badly decorated and could do with a good clean. The breakfast was that bad we didn't even bother to eat it.

Review 27：Not much to like, the pool looked OK.

Review 28：The location is very dull and remote, no elevators, exorbitant rates (not a value for money property), the beach nearby cant be called a beach at all.

Review 29：Pent house was spacious, Breakfast and Staff at the only restaurant was good.

Review 30：management of other guests who ruined 3 of my 6 days there. a group just ran riot until 4:ooeach morning after i complained nothing was done! they call it a retreat, wrong.

Review 31：Service was very good, waiters could not do enough for you,especialy Philip

Review 32：the way to hotel from main road was very dark during night time.

Review 33：restaurant facilities especially the service of staff and the supervisor, his respect, good language and hospitality.

Review 34：The rooms were a little stuffy upon entry as if not used for many days. But after a while it was all OK

Review 35：Friendly and very helpful staff. Breakfast buffet is good. Location is OK but a little far away from the city.

Review 36：Food is expensive (as is in most of places in Goa). Pool is small (don't go wrong by picture). Transport desk person (Guess he is not the hotel staff) was rude and charging 1/3 excess from what you can get from the same person outside.

Review 37：Staff were kind, property was clean and well maintained. Good breakfast. Access to near by "private" beach by 2mins walk was good for a family to spend early morning hours and late evening at beach front. Location is good/ ideal as long as you have your personal transportation sorted out. Reachable to both North and South within half a day and very close to Panjim and Miramar.

Review 38：Over priced because of the proximity to the beach. But as claimed it's not a private beach and the beach is really bad. Approaching pathway from the hotel to the beach is very dirty and unsafe.

Review 39：Rooms are nice and clean. Complimentary Breakfast was really good.

Review 40：Poor location. Taxi charge a lot from there. It's better to go to the North or to the South for vacation, but not stay near Panaji. We had to travel a lot from there.

Review 41：Very nice hotel, excellent staff, very nice breakfasts.

Review 42：Parking is not adequate, facilities - lot of scope for improvement, not much free space

Review 43：very good staff, willing to help all the time, location, though some reviews did not speak so well about the food our experience was very good. We really liked the food and preferred dinner in the hotel during our stay. Very good access to beach

Review 44：zero security: door was wide open after we returned from an entire day trip to the city. though nothing was missing but it is a serious lapse from the hotel. no explanation was given from the staff. very poor housekeeping: trash was removed from bin and kept on table, towels, shampoo, coffee powder etc. not replenished. room was left dirty. casual and unconcerned attitude of the manager: even after repeated reminders the manager refused to talk to us and remained inaccessible.

Review 45：ambience

Review 46：Many thanks to all staff of your hotel for their hospitality, excellent service for my friend. He stopped twice at your hotel and was delighted. This is very important, because it was his first visit to India. For me, as the professional in the tourism industry, it is very important, that people have good memories of the country. You help to guests fall in love with India, thanks a lot. A great compliment to your restaurant and it's Captain Philip Cutinho for his attention and care of my friend.

Review 47：WE NEVER EXPECTED A PARTY WITH A LOUD MUSIC TILL 10.30 PM. WE WENT THERE FOR RELAXATION AND PEACE.

Review 48：THE ROOM WAS SPACIOUS WITH A VIEW OF SWIMMING POOL. FOOD WAS GOOD.

Review 49：When I arrived to Goa airport I didn't find the driver, I contact the hotel they said there was miss cominication so please take taxi When I arrived to the hotel the Resiption guy was sleeping and he said your room is not ready you should to wait. I wait there till morning then I called the driver who drop me from airport to hotel to find for me good hotel Regards, Aziz

Review 50：Nothing liked

Review 51：Beach had a smell of sewage! Hotel taxis were expensive.

Review 52：The staff are very friendly helpful and caring. Very proffessional! Food was delicious and pool was kept very clean! Great gardens!

Review 53：Poor connectivity....mobiles as well as WiFi. No pork on the menu..... Breakfast buffet timings should be extended... Complimentary spa package

Review 54：The location of hotel and friendliness of the staff. Comfortable and clean rooms. Service with a smile...the epitome of hospitality....!

Review 55：1) Location far in a desolate area. 2) No lifts for room 3) Costlier Taxi Service 4) was charged more price than what shown on booking.com i.e. other than taxes, I was charged differently for second day of my stay. 5) Near by venguine beach is open to pets so it was not really safe.

Review 56：1) Sea pearl cafe

Review 57：I planned the trip as a surprise for my mums birthday the stay was fault less we even stayed N extra night! Bedrooms were fantastic an beds were extremely comfortable ! Would go Again an recommend '

Review 58：Worst is poor location, Poor Wi-Fi connectivity Single room with double bed worth not more than INR 3000. Travel desk will never provide you with good quality vehicles.

Review 59：Hospitality, Good swimming pool, Good staff, Decent Food.

Review 60：the locations is a bit away from everything hence it is a real retreat, could be on the plus side depending on your view it was difficult to order room service because many staff members spoke a strange indian/goa-dialect of english which was especially hard to understand on the phone for a European, it was apparent that English was also not the primary language for several of them, but there was nothing wrong with their services-mindedness; they really wanted to help but communication was sometimes difficult but still easier than when you go to France or Spain and try to get by with English..

Review 61：Chef is excellent in the Restaurant, good food, amazing breakfast, ridiculously detailed and impressive food decorations at least during the Xmas and New Year dinners which we attended super comfy beds! nice pool nice beach close by, better than beaches in north of Goa we were told by taxi drivers New Year fireworks was a great show good movie channel "StarMovies" or something like that on TV showing best of the best movies all the time clean, fresh and a lot of staff at this hotel Mum said pillows were the best ever at a hotel Easy to get Taxi from the travel desk in the reception, max 5 min waiting time. taxi is cheap here Good AC WiFi is free and has a good speed but you sometimes lose connection, this was during peak tourist period around New Year so maybe just temporary overloads somewhere in the network Popular hotel for Indian tourists apparently, not littered with Europeans or Russians like the hotel close by (which has a casino..)

Review 62：1. Don't use the travel desk, I assumed it was for benefit of the guests and would actually decrease the market rate, Instead they add a huge markup. Trying to profit from everything leaves a bad taste. 2. Location is poor, all the good beaches are far away.

Review 63：1. Really helpful staff and quick response for every request we made 2. Amazing food, nice buffet spread. 3. Private beach 4. Relaxed atmosphere, good place to lay back and enjoy

Review 64：Can hear the neighbours in the room next door.

Review 65：Staff very helpful; restaurant excellent food and great low prices. Beach lovely and quiet compared to those in Goa. A little isolated but they have a free shuttle to town daily and taxis are cheap to return to hotel and go to airport .

Review 66：The room didn't have good soundproof and you could hear people crossing and noises from outside.

Review 67：The room was nice and all the environment of the hotel. The beach was into two minutes.

Review 68：Room freshener wasn't available. TV channels were only a handful. Water bottles to be renewed once emptied. Car washing or cleaning facility should be provided.. Tissue rolls should be renewed..

Review 69：We were welcomed with a refreshing canned juice..and then we were allotted the suite we'd booked for.. The room was spick and span.. Cleanliness was never an issue.. Breakfast served was fantastic.. Room service was up to the mark. Nice place to spend time with ur loved one out of the busy world outside..

Review 70：Nothing.

Review 71：We stayed at this hotel for 4 nights and this was a memorable stay for us. Staff was very good and helpful. Food quality was also very good. For breakfast there was a lot of option to choose from.

Review 72：We tried dinner in the hotel twice; once vegetarian and later fish, but did not like them. Fortunately there were many options available nearby within 2 km radius and we had car.

Review 73：Hotel staff were friendly. There were many varieties in the breakfast which was included in the package. Swimming pool, Jim and other facilities were quite good. Room was clean and comfortable.

Review 74：1. Seems rooms are very poor maintenance , since AC was not functioning , when reported their staff came and checked and argued that cooling selection is not done AC remote but they them self has done setting but didn't worked , and they brought gas cylinder and tools to repair .. 2. lot of lizards are seen in side the room . 3. Not value for the money

Review 75：Over croded.noisy.passage between room rows very narrow.no welcome orpleasure on d face of reception at d checkin time.no persolisedservice.when I left a day before scheduled dep dt I saod of u cannotrefnd any cash atleast u can offer a free lunch as a toke bt they refusd

Review 76：Their room service is atrocious to say the least, the food is highly overpriced & not upto the mark. The breakfast menu is limited & not worth the effort of waking up early on a vacation

Review 77：The house keeping staff is very prompt in their service. The location & rooms are fairly decent

Review 78：frequent power cuts, need to fight for a bucket for bathing a infant, too old mattress.

Review 79：The location near the sea. The greenery around the hotel, the swimming pool and the staff in the restaurant.

Review 80：The hotel is located in corner of the city where you cannot travel unless you have vehicle there is no lift in any of the building house keeping people are very unprofessional we have to keep eye on them so that they do job properly some time they dont give you shampoo or towel etc we have to make them do job sometimes

Review 81：The rooms were very spacious clean with descent food. When we checked in my father was give room which was bit far so the reception guy got a wheel chair and took my father near to the building

Review 82：Food in the bar was terrible (but main restaurant Indian fare was great).

Review 83：Quiet location out of the way. Great staff, very friendly. Good rooms and facilities

Review 84：Outside main town and rickshaws available, Taxis expensive However hotelk provided free shuttle service to panjim. so travel really not an issue for hotel.

Review 85：Great Place Good facilitites you would expect for a four star hotel grweat evening entertainment. staff really good.

Review 86：The hotel is located 5 kilometers out the main twon Panaji ( Panjim). Taxis available and free shuttle prebooked on previous day to Panjim and Dona Paula Beach. So travel not an issue from Hotel.

Review 87：The Hotel is great provides good facilities Gym, Swimming Pool, etc. The staff are very helpful. food is really good.

Review 88：Hotel location is excellent a 2 mins walk from beach a peaceful and scenic location.Staff, Service and food everything is good. Overall I would give a 4 out of 5.

Review 89：The garden was not usefull the location is a bit far to everything and the taxis or the hotel taxi charge higher. The rest was fine. Also in india in general they try to get money as high as they can so you have bargain for hours!!!!

Review 90：Nice place to stay. It has pool spa workout room and others .... Nice plac

Review 91：Location is ok. The hotel is off any bus route so you need to take a taxi to go anywhere or use hotel's complimentary ride every morning. There are no restaurants, shops or any tourist businesses anywhere near the hotel. It's 10 minute drive away from Panaji. Beach is so so when compared to Colva or Calangute. If you come to Goa to sunbathe, this beach should not be your top choice. You do not get sea view from any of their rooms either. Restaurant menu is a bit overpriced (although food very tasty) even for foreign guests.

Review 92：Excellent staff. Sandeep was especially helpful with getting cable TV for us so we could watch mundial. Super friendly and helpful. Anthony, driver, was also friendly, kind, funny, knowledgeable, and very helpful. To make up for isolated location, the hotel offers an excellent service: complimentary rides at 10:30 AM every morning to Panaji. We took advantage of it every morning. From Panaji, we made our daily trips to other parts of Goa. Rooms are very comfortable with ac and excellent mattresses. I got best sleep there. Rooms are well equipped with refrigerators and water kettles. They had all toiletries. Our room also had electric mosquito repellant. You get everything you can expect from a good value 90$ hotel in the US. Plus a crystal clear pool. Delicious breakfast with a bit overeager staff...

Review 93：Access to beach through private property.

Review 94：Excellent Staff.

Review 95：The rooms

Review 96：Really nice property, but check in policies are outdated and too cumbersome

Review 97：No any market close to the hotel.

Review 98：Hotel was close to the beach.Breakfast was really good.

Review 99：Staffs are not trained/groomed as per the star rating, average food with basic taste.

Review 100：Rooms, clean and quiet beach, entertainment programs

Review 101：nice place to stay

Review 102：room was small and not very comfortable

Review 103：the hotels was clean and well kept

Review 104：A bit outside the main town

Review 105：Great staff.

Review 106：Staff very friendly and helpful. It was convenient to avail of the morning shuttle service from the hotel to Goa shopping area.

Review 107：Food

Review 108：Breakfast was good

Review 109：Hospitality, not to mention the food was good.

Review 110：Location, no elevator for 3rd and 4th floor, staff not flexible

Review 111：Peaceful and comfortable , food

Review 112：We had a little mouse in the room.

Review 113：Staff were very Friendly and helpful

Review 114：The ACs need to be looked at as I felt it was smaller than needed

Review 115：Good property with nice amenities and food

Review 116：Rooms cleaning

Review 117：nothing their to like

Review 118：Location and cleanliness

Review 119：Rooms can be more clean & delivery service can be much better too

Review 120：Good staff and BREAKFAST

Review 121：The staff made the stay perfect. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left. Loved this hotel because of the staff.

Review 122：Your spa

Review 123：The coffee mugs were not clean, very few channels on tv, breakfast was limited and not great.

Review 124：Cheese and tomato sandwich was good.

Review 125：Location and surrounding

Review 126：Courtesy of management and staff.

Review 127：Food,

Review 128：Staff and location

Review 129：The pool was not very clean

Review 130：No fish curry Thali. Fish curry Thali would be appreciated.

Review 131：Very friendly and helpful staff

Review 132：SOME BASIC FACILITIES LIKE SOAP,EXTRA MINERAL WATER BOTTLES WERE NOT PROVIDED. POWER SUPPLY FAILURE ARE TOO FREQUENT.

Review 133：STAFFS WERE VERY NICE.

Review 134：Except location everything pathetic.

The Fine Print

Please note that the per night extra bed charges are as follows:December 25, 2015: INR 5090 per adult & INR 2544 per child (5-12 years)December 28- 30, 2015: INR 3047 + 17.42% tax per adult and INR 1703 + 17.42% tax per child (5 - 12 years)December 31, 2015: INR 7683 per adult & INR 3841 per child (5-12 years)January 1- 2, 2016: INR 3047 + 17.42% tax per adult and INR 1703 + 17.42% tax per child (5 - 12 years)Please note that the room rates are inclusive of mandatory Gala Dinner on 25th December and 31st December. Any extra charges are to be paid at the property directly.