This hotel is overpriced given its very mediocre facilities. Major drawback: the only option to move around was to use the only taxi driver made available by the hotel, who was charging 2 to 3 times the normal rate and proved unreliable. Foreign tourists should avoid this hotel.

The room was large and had more space than expected. It was clean also. However, there was a kitchen with no cutlery or plates. The restaurant was okay but empty throughout. The bar wasn't open. There were no sunbeds around the pool. There were advertised sunbeds on the beach but these didnt exist. The nearby beach is essentially a private beach for the guests in the neighbouring 5 star hotels. This means you cant use any pf the facilities on the beach (cafe, bar, sunlounger) unless you are a guest from one of those hotels. There are security guards who escort you off the property even when enquiring if the restaurant/bars are open to non-guests. The nearest shops and restaurants are 30 minute walk up out of the valley and into Dona Paula so it is not ideal unless you have your own transport. The reception staff, when asked if they could book us a taxi, simply gave us the mobile number for a taxi company and refused to assist in arranging. The same goes for laundry. We enquired about the laundry, were given a mobile number of someone who no longer works in laundry and when we explained this was now the case they shrugged their shoulders as if that was the solution. Overall not a great hotel. It is not 4 star, probably 3 at best.

Good stay

It was a good place but the place wasnt in actual Panji. The hotel is split by 2 brother's and the pool belongs to the other half. The actual hotel room was large.

Most Pathetic Hotel

Terrible hotel rather it’s not a hotel it’s a lowest quality of railway she’s with no professionalism and ethics...I would request any one or every one do not book or stay at this hotel as they have no staff ..lowest quality of food and untrained staff to handle the hotel guests . The hotel management has no involvement and have no idea of the word meaning service or hotel or responsibility...

Lovely service, food, pool, clean

We were so well cared for and got to know the staff. Clean comfortable rooms, tasty and affordable restaurant. A fantastic bargain. The only take away is it is not a walk to Panjim and cabs can be pricey—but you’re next to the nicest cleanest beach in town.

Fabulous authentic Goan food. Walking distance to a small, quiet beach.

Very noisy neighbours made for an unpleasant stay. Rooms were great for the price. Gym equipment wasn't great. Not the best location but it is walking distance from the beach and nearby Cidade Resort. All in all,

It is difficult to find from Google Map. Also Collier food with less options for order. Far away from famous beaches. However nice breakfast

Nice Hotel with Amenities

We were in Goa for just 4 nights, and wanted a nice hotel with some facilities and amenities (pool, spa, restaurant, etc...). Sandalwood Retreat was perfect for us, while it isn't a 5-star hotel, it was a nice, affordable alternative close to our Where we wanted to be. Would strongly recommend it, keeping in mind it is nice, simple place with attentive staff.

Relaxing

Enjoyed our stay. Nothing much in the immediate area. Beach almost deserted. Sunbeds and umbrellas there. Free shuttle into town every day. Nice pool. Breakfast good. Restaurant good, Phillip the head waiter very helpful and good English. Good place to chill out and relax. Nothing hectic here.

Adequate, but not recommended

A very modest hotel. Some pleasant features, but rooms could be cleaner and more up to date. I asked several times for the AC to be fixed; it didn't happen. Requests seem to get lost in translation. A bit in the middle of nowhere, and the beach - 4 minute brisk walk away - not as nice as Miramar. A bit overpriced for the quality of the hotel. All in all, it is ok, but I wouldn't recommend

Clean hotel, but expensive commute

The stay wasn't worth the money, especially because we spent a lot of money on commuting to and from beaches. The travel desk at the hotel was overcharging us just because there were no other cabbies available in the vicinity of the hotel. The hotel is fine if you intend to stay within the resort with kids. I wouldn't pay the same amount again for going there, especially because of the experience with the travel desk

Ok place. Nice staff.

Lengthy check in process. Too many rules and regulations all laid out on a sheet of A4 paper. Not too impressed to begin with but then a couple of the staff made us feel welcome. Pradeep the guy in the restaurant befriended us and made us feel at home. Philip was great, a well travelled man on cruise ships for many years, he know what hospitality means. No view from our balcony. Asked for slippers but were not complimentary we had to pay. Hotel In the middle of nowhere so not much to do.

Family emergency

I had to go to Goa for a family member who was in a hospital near the hotel. The staff, especially the bellhops and those in the SeaPearl, were exceptional. The food was also outstanding although I don't recommend the malai kofta. Anyway, thank you Phillip and all the friendly young men who work in the restaurant.

Nice hotel, great breakfast buffet.

The beach was disappointing. Silt water, river beach, not like the other white sand beaches in south Goa. Quiet and uncrowded but still disappointing. The three minute walk to the 'beach' was along trash and stagnant, bad smelling backwaters.

nice stay

Their phone was not reachable. Somehow i found a driver who knows the area little bit and found address with help of Google maps. Staff and services were good .

Only beach Hotel

It is too far away from the city, No buses

Nice Hotel Close to Beach

Overall very happy with the stay. Nice comfortable rooms, with great amenities. Only thing lacking is a good children's play area. Beach is close by.

You get what you pay for

Pros: friendly and helpful a staff. Cons: spotty wifi, dirty bathrooms, power outages, 2 star feel to the rooms. If you get a top floor room it could be nicer. My friends room had mold and he broke out into hives. They let him change rooms but mold... The staff were around the friendliest of all the hotels we've been to and seem to care about good service. The only saving grace. When I was there there were lots of kids running around. It's off and far away from a lot of things and the beach is a 5 min walk from the hotel. It isn't directly part of the premises like I originally thought. The price was a value so I didn't expect too much. I didn't take a shower in my room the whole time i stayed... I ended up sneaking over to one of the nicer resorts via the beach on my stay for an upgraded experience.

Wonderful experience

A beautiful resort for a short getaway. They served a good selection of items for the buffet breakfast. The staff was very hospitable in attending to us.

Worst hotel stay I have had in a very long time

I am not sure what previous positive reviews were based on, but I just returned from a stay at the Sandalwood and most aspects of our stay there were terrible. From forgetting our airport transfer and leaving us stranded after midnight at the airport, to losing one of our reservations, to damaged furniture and equipment in the room, to a negative experience with the tour desk and a small beach that is full of garbage much of the time, I would not recommend staying at this hotel. I would suggest another resort that is further north or south of the city of Panji and has better trained staff.

Excellent Stay

We went for a rotary conference with our friends. I had booked 2 rooms but there was some problem and the booking showed only 1 room. The staff was however very good and upgraded us to a suite which was very good.The breakfast menu was also very good.

Its very nice hotel next to clean beach

It was an awesome experience staying at hotel. All view and beach is so clean. I feel its better the those expensive resorts. I stayed in Dona-sliva earlier but services was pathatic. Here Staff was so helpfull and supportive. Even ording Food is very econoninal with good quantity. Panjim market is just 10 KM away on same road. Private beach with reserved beds for Sandlawood hotel guests. Its nice feeling to stay there. Every night there is music in lawn and you can sit and relax in your private balcony. Cheers Guys

Small but Beautiful Resort with Wonderful people.

Stayed from the 25th Dec 14 to 28th Dec 14. The resort is small and a Exact two mins walk from the beach but except these two issues everything else is very good. Specially its staff, be it Reception or Dining, their staff is their major strenght. The food quality is good and so is their spread. Rooms are big and spacious with all facilities. The Swimming pool, Gym and Spa are small but functional. A special mention of their main person for all Guest interactions- Mr Piyush who is very cordially, helpful and responsively dependable. Its a nice place(has its own beach-2 mins walk, has water sports stall and is near Dona Paola beach-1Kms) though a little far from the Main beaches- Calangute-14 Kms/ Baga-15 Kms/Anjuna- 17 Kms, Panaji main market area- 4 Kms, Old Goa- 5 Kms, Madgaon Station-35 Kms, Mapusa- 16 Kms. Would like to revisit for a quiet & peaceful stay among its staff who soon grew into friends.

Worth the price & good food

Well worth the price I pay. Really happy with everything except in-room WiFi, which was useless (works well at reception & main restaurant). Food at restaurant was great. If you are going to an event at Cidade de Goa, walking time is 20 min (on a mountainous road) as Cidade doesn't allow guests to enter from rear entrance. On your way back it's only 3 min.

3.5 stars

Inconvenient location for access to shopping and walking. Taxi needed for all out of hotel activities.

Nice but not as nice as it's made out to be

Our first room had air con problems which they fixed but as they fixed it with the windows open out room was infested with mosquitoes. They did move us very quickly to be fair. I wouldn't recommend any of the restaurants as the food is poor particularly the fish dishes. Room service were very prompt and their prices very reasonable. The rooms were clean but after three nights our bedding still hadn't been changed. The spa within the hotel is very good and rates are very good. One thing I would urge you to stay away from is the moped hire partners based in the hotel. They refused to helmets for passengers and out of protest they made us wait two hours before turning up with a helmet by which point we'd lost the will and asked for a refund which took another 90 mins of wasted time. The same company supply the hotel with taxi's. Their prices are at least 300 rs higher than any Goa taxi firms. Also the mopeds are uninsured so if you have an accident it's all at your expense. Be warned!

Nice resort close to the beach

This is more like home than a hotel. My room had a living room and two balconies apart from the bedroom and this space was very much appreciated and enjoyed by our two kids. Staff is very helpful.

People in the reception are friendly' but shuttle to airport not available

Nice Hotel, Calm and Excellent Staff. Helpful

Really good Experience with the Hotel. Would visit again if needed.

Small glitches, but a nice hotel otherwise.

Wifi was not working throughout my stay, water stopped while having bath, had almost got burnt with the hot water as the cold water stopped while making sound of air passing.

Nice hotel with reasonable price

It was a good experience staying in this hotel. Good air condition in the room. I felt food is bit expensive but overall it is a very good hotel.

Its awesome

Location 100% Room facility 100% Cleanliness 70% Staff 60% Need lift Value fo monet Must visit again

OK for the price

The Sandal wood is an OK place to stay, it's a little out of the way so yu'll rely on cabs to get around. It does have a one way shuttle to the main city that you can book for the night before. The pool is shallow. The bar and restaurant are great, food is good and cocktails really good, staff are rreally nice and friendly. Beach is only about 50 metres away with a section for the hotle guests, chairs and umbrellas, walk to it is however along a dirty waterway. Our Penthouse was on the top floor and our beach view through some trees was disspointing as the main view from that window was the rubbish area. The hotel has no lifts, so you'll need to use stairs. Our floors were filthy, and after asking them to clean it, which they did, it didn't help. they use dirty mops and water, so bring slippers or you'll have black underneaths of your feet. Biggest issue, other than the cleanliness was the airport pick up service. We advised a flight number and scheduled times, our flight was changed and left early, so we arrived early. All other passengers on our flight had their drivers waiting except for us, we waited for 20 minutes and then got a taxi. When we arrived at the hotels we were told we should have waited until the driver arrived and said we had to pay. Unsure why they couldn't check the flight schedule on the day like everywhere else in the world does, and why they made us feel like it was our fault the airline decided to change the flight time. Use a taxi, you'll save as well

Breakfast was great

Stay was pretty ok. Good things: They serve very good breakfast. Every evening there were programs which were very entertaining. Rooms were spacious. Not so good things: There was strange sewage like smell all over the place even on the beach. Beware of travel desk. They have different rates mentioned on their tariff card but in the name of peak season they use to charge more. Just outside the hotel there is a taxi stand. folks out there charge a lot more and the reason is one has to walk a bit to reach main road to find an alternative. So the travel desk person and the taxi stand guys just outside has a nexus. If you try to get a taxi from outside on your own these guys try to pull the driver. They will ask the driver about rate he is charging and who has asked for the taxi. Also the travel desk guy knows nothing about the places. I feel hotel management should get rid of the travel desk. Get somebody who knows the places in and around Goa. Also one who can arrange taxi's at cheaper rates. Please also add few TV channels for kids, they do not have any option. On Christmas I feel they could have given some gifts to the kids, that would have been a pleasant surprise for them and would have made their stay memorable.

ok budget hotel

room was ok, but i took the deluxe premier, if u take compact it is not so good, this was in third floor no lift, so had to carry all the luggage 3 floors

Tranquil and relaxing

Our requests for the room were met, we upgraded to a deluxe room, which is very spacious and well worth the extra money. The rooms are cleaned to a very high standards everyday. The beds are so comfortable and are made up with ultimate precision. The nice crisp sheets look like they have been ironed fresh each day. The swimming pool is very well maintained and surrounded by extremely comfortable sun loungers. We have eaten in the hotel restaurant every night so far, and for a two course meal with drinks we have paid about £12. It's very good value and absolutely lovely food. Saving the best comment for last. Since we arrived, we have found all the staff to be extremely friendly and very, very helpful. Milson on the bar, Priya on the reception, with the most amazing smile are part of a wonderful team of staff. Looking forward to spending the rest of our holiday in this tranquil resort. Looking forward to meeting Mr Shekhar Davadkar to congratulate him on running a lovely resort. Room 2102

Great restaurant

Huge lovely room with blacony and kitchenette which for the great price was unexpected. the beach was a short walk away. We used it as a stopover to fly out of Goa, its about 40 mins from the airport by cab. The hotel has a bar area and restaurant which was really great food and lovely staff. Best naan bread I've ever had!

Excellent hotel and highly recommended

We were 3 couples with kids and stayed at the hotel for 3 nights in suite rooms. Hotel staff is excellent and very co-operative. The location of this hotel is in the center of the city, so you are never too far from any where. It shared the same beach as cida-de-goa, and just 100 steps to the beach. Another location advantage is the close proximity to chances casino. We stayed at casino till 2 am and were at a very safe distance from hotel. Breakfast buffet was lavish and abundant, I would surely recommend this hotel to all.

Enjoyed the stay, will definitely recommend

We had an excellent experience at Sandalwood Hotel and Retreat. The room were clean, well kept, spacious than expected. Staff was courteous, polite and ready to help. Food was okay. Ambiance, location is great. Real value for money. Will definitely recommend and visit again

Recommended

Awesome property little away from city but bang on the beach. Nice food swimming pool and very peaceful.

Poor Location Good Great Service

The stay inside the hotel was satisfactory. The location of the hotel (except for the proximity of the beach) is unacceptable. The stay at the hotel I believe should only be ventured if you have a car or be ready to spend on high taxi rates. There is nothing in the proximity of this hotel. The service at the hotel is excellent but the food quality is average. The breakfast menu spread is not bad but can be improved. 4* Rating for this hotel? Well I will not agree. The open spaces in this hotel? Not much. Service is a USP for sure.

Good Stay but far from Baga and Calangute

We stayed in the two suite bedroom. It had good ventilation and AC. The bathrooms were clean and dry. The beds were clean.

One of the best lazy stays we have had

The hotel was more like a mini home stay amongst all tourists - foreigners, families, couples. We really enjoyed the food, the hospitality, the room location and the view outside the room as well. Wifi facility was really good in terms of the internet speed. Bathrooms were clean, neat, except for the humid odor which was negligible after a spray of room freshener we requested to the room service. In room coffee, water, other facilities, lighting, etc were just to the perfection. We have stayed at St. Laurn Business Suites, which was no where near the Sandalwood Experience. We surely will prefer staying here everytime we visit Goa. It was an amazing stay. Thank you and a Good Job done.

sandalwood hotel, vainguinim beach

Great Hotel - compared to some of the other properties around the same price range, Sandalwood offered more room space and an excellent ambience. While some of the staff was young and bit raw, they more than made up for it through honest effort. Would love to go back again - only this time for a vacation !! Hotel could do well by having an in-house shop/store offering simple beach accessories like beach slippers etc though. Kind regards Shrinivasan

Nothing to write home about....

Ok hotel. Not great service and there are much nicer beaches in Goa where you can spend your time. Internet also didn't work for the entire duration of my stay.

too isolated

No-Frills

I think that Sandalwood is perfectly adequate, although I have stayed in several places in the vicinity of Sandalwood that cost roughly the same amount, but offered a lot more charm. Sandalwood is situated close to a lovely beach ( a rare find in Goa, since private beaches tend to be filthy) Sandalwood boasts a pool as well. Both of these things I consider a giant plus. Otherwise, the rooms generally have a "motel" feel about them. The restaurant service is great, however the space is sad, and the food is just so-so. I will stress however, that the people who work there are lovely and kind. I particularly liked a waiter named Francis with a personality that helped make my dining experience tolerable. He managed to take my mind off the food and the shabby ambience. I was perfectly content there, and was willing to overlook shortcoming, but when pressed for an opinion, I have to admit that compared to other places I've stayed in the same price range, Sandalwood is just a little on the shabby side, but it has potential. This is only my opinion. One man's trash is another man's treasure. There is nothing about the place that is unacceptable, but there is a HUGE amount of room for improvement. And by the way, my job is reviewing hotels and restaurants for a well known travel magazine and series of guide books. For the same price but with oodles of charm, another resort close to Sandalwood called Prainha made me feel that I was getting a huge value for my money!!

Satisfied, but the Resort needs to have more economical internal transport faciltity. Extremely expensive. May be they should consider running an airport drop sharing facility for all the hotel guests, in the morning.

Completely away from it all....a real retreat

The staff were extremely helpful, courteous and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. A hotel car took us to the local shopping centre. There was really nothing nearby except the beach. A totally relaxing stay, which was just what the doctor ordered. If you just need to chill, with good food and nothing to distract, then the Sandalwood is most definitely the place to stay. A swimming pool, a gym and table table tennis all available. What more could you want.