Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

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.

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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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 .

It is too far away from the city, No buses

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.

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.

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.