My partner and I spent the second week of our "two centre" holiday in Goa at Hotel Riversal. The first week we enjoyed in Candolim. Hotel Riversal had been recommended to us by friends of my parents, regular Goa goers.
We have been to Goa before but never the South, knew it would be quieter but did nt know what to expect really.
When we arrived at the Hotel could nt believe just how close it is to the river, yes did visit the website before we booked but you dont get the atmosphere! We had a beer and just sat there for what seemed like hours, totally chilled.
The rooms very good standard for this category Goa Hotels, fresh bright Moroccan style and most importantly clean. Breakfast buffet style and restaurant Goan with emphasais on fish and seafood. No complaints. Evening meals on the patio beside the river.
This was for us a very different ` Goa Experience` much more personal. We enjoyed the resort of Cavelossim very lively good shopping and Mobor Beach is beautiful and very quiet at the top end near the estuary.
A short boat trip across the river, the Hotel is set beside the village of Betul. We walked through the village and up to the church on the hill at sunset, looking down on the eagles wonderful. Not bird watchers normally but loved watching the eagles.
Through the village we walked to the estuary and watched the locals fish from the rocks and had a beer on the way back at a small `kiosk` bar.
Sydon, the Hotel owner, arranged a trip for us fishing with Davidas, quite a character!
We only caught a few strange looking rock fish but seen a few dolphins and Davidas hailed down a fellow fisherman for some fish for our lunch, cooked on board and delicious.
There was also a Fiesta night during our stay, with hoopla, coconut shay and such, a Goan take on a Mexican Buffet and lots of dancing, surprisingly good fun.
The charm of this small Hotel is definately its location and relaxed atmosphere.
If its a true taste of Goa your after with a personal touch this could be it.
We have already booked for next year, directly with Sydon and trying scheduled flights this time. Let you know how that works out next time.

My husband and I discovered Riversal by the Sea 3 years ago and have just returned from our 6th visit.
What can I say -
you get what it says on the label, a small family run hotel, fresh clean rooms with an excellent riverview, good food ( the fish could not be fresher), wonderful riverbank location and a friendly relaxed atmosphere.
Clubbers and party seekers beware, Calangute this is not !
However, if like us, you like to chill and watch the world go by this could be the place for you. We never tire of an evening watching the locals cast their nets from their canoes or dive for mussels, listening to the eagles overhead or the kingfishers darting across the river, a g&t at sunset and meals on the terrace. There are occasional planned entertainment evenings with live music and dancing and the spontaneous singalongs !
To one side, the port and countryside walks, the other the village of Betul, check out the local barbers, haircut and shave with head and sholder massage. We enjoy a walk around the coast to fish of the rocks.
Accross the river, just a few minutes away, the beautiful Mobor beach, lazy days at the Blue Whale shack and just a short bus ride to Cavelossim with its shops and restaurants.
We have made many friends at the Sal both local and guests and Sydon, the owner looks after us very well.
We are already looking forward to our next trip.

We stayed at the hotel for 3 nights on our trip around India in dec 09. We intended to stay for 2 more nights, but cut the stay short, for several reasons.

First, the positive. The hotel is very clean, with nice and plain rooms. Our room had a nice balcony with a lovely view of the river Sal. Other reviewers write about the nice location, and the river view is indeed splendid.

However, the hotel is located on the "wrong" side of the nice river. There is absolutely nothing on this side, apart for a huge fishing harbour. No restaurants, no bars, no beach - nothing what so ever. To get anywhere you have 2 options. Get a boat, or go by car 45 minutes to the other side. The hotel itself has no boat, but can arrange one if you book well in advance. This means that you have to arrange your day.. there is no freedom to move as you wish.

When we stayed at the hotel we where the only guests, even though we were there in the middle of the high season. The owner is very nice, but he is also trying to get every extra buck out of you. And since you are more or less stuck at the hotel if you dont bring your own boat this can becomes quite tiring. He in addition adds quite a lot on everything, almost doubling the price of the taxi he helped us book - even though taxi was the only way to get out from the hotel.

I can not recommend the hotel if you are not there with own boat, and who brings a boat?

although v r goans but after 2 years in the extreme weather conditions in the gulf its simply relaxing to be in this hotel the whole day long,chasing the sun go down by the speed boats,letting the first sun ray peep into the rooms with the trawlers going by. 'Eat the Catch' is what you must do on the fishing trip. it was really a refreshing holidays. Edde/Elle Bahrain