spent 2 weeks at santiago are 1st time 2 goa will certainly goin back deffo 2 santiago;well pleased hotel an food an staff excellent its 1 ov are best hols yet lookin 4 ward to goin back feb or march nxt year very friendly and helpful nothing was to much trouble and laura are thomas cook rep absolutely marvelous we met loads ov nice people jon n jane peter n di an viv n carly ace time roll on 2010 feb/march
roy n tracie crewe cheshire xxxxxx

This hotel is lovely, very basic, relaxing, amazing staff and fun evening entertainment (bit cheesy but fun). We felt really looked after right from the start. The guys in the restaurant/bars really made it for us, they were fantastic.

Great location tucked away from the busy main road. We were quite surprised as there were a lot of older people staying there, which was a bit odd but we got used to it. If you're looking to stay somewhere lively with a young crowd it's probably not for you.

The food was really nice, you can mix the main menu with the themed menu. Snacks are served all day. I would opt for curry for dinner if you want a really good dish.

The beach was absolutely beautiful and the sea is warm. You get a lot of locals selling things but they are never rude, and if you say no they walk away straight away. Lots of lovely children too, which in the end I bought loads from!

If you do fancy a change in the evening, there are plenty of restaurants on the main and side roads to choose from with excellent food.

Goa is fab if you need to get away and completely chill out. The weather was superb.

It is a long flight (8 hours out and 10 hours back) so drink lots of water and make sure you order the meals as I didn't do either of these and ended up ill at the end of the flight (a doctor was called!).

Cheers!
Annie

Just back from 2 weeks at Santiago. Still not altogether sure how we feel about it. Room was very basic (guess this is normal). Tv didn't work. Air conitioning was only worked occasionally. Staff did ask and then remember your name but I actually found this a wee bit over familiar. Lots of older people staying there who obviously go year after year for about 8 weeks and we felt they got preferential treatment. Woefully inadequate pool and sunbed situation. Towels on specific sunbeds first thing and then no-one on them most of the day. I tried to secure one as I didn't want to go to the beach on a day my husband was unwell in our room and when I asked the staff to get me a sunbed out it was made clear they were going to decide where it went and in fact this was in shade I had to move it myself . Going for breakfast was also always a bit weird. Yeh there was loads of choice but there didn't appear to be much sense to the choices and it came out in fits and starts so you could make a selection based on what was there and then what you really wanted came out later. Stuffed paraathas were gorgeous though.
Food in Thai Bazar was good like any decent Chinease/Thai. Food in Masala pool side restuarant varied. Lunch buffet again some parts were excellent but then there was big dishes of mashed potatoes, macaroni cheese and roast beef. Snacks in afternoon were some sort of sandwich or Indian snacks. They have a theme every night and one was barbeque we thought we may get fresh fish or something else and asked how we ordered from the barbeque. We were told that we chose and then the food was cooked on the grill in the kitchen. We asked what came with the meat fish etc and were told nothing so we had to order something to go with it.
My husband ordered steak which turned outt to be braising steak and I asked for tuna. This was such a shock as I had had tuna 2 nights before in a beach shack which was gorgeous. This tuna was disgusting and bony (don't know how they did that) and smothered in what can only be described as creosote. Any Indian food we had here could not be faulted, it was lovely.
Again seating is woefully inadequate as although service is from 8-10.30 most people don't normally move on from here. On one occasion (the day when my husband was unwell ) we didn't want to go out but had to eat and ended up sitting in the storage area. Also I could not get why diet coke was chargable but absolutely nothing else? Previous reviewers had said towels were supplied but this was never offered by anyone even on the day by the pool and I didn't see anyone else getting them. Cleanliness in comunal areas was good but although room cleaning wasn't great . The towels in shapes was a nice touch but I really felt 2 every 2 days (yes I know the environment) when you are showering so much and have hair to dry is not enough.
On a more positive note the shower was good if a bit tempremental and having a little fridge was ace. Security guard in locker room was lovely as was Naz who was the barman at Rendevous the roof top bar. The one thing I did love was the position of our room. Despite it being one of what I believe (from overhearing regulars) is the worst rooms was great for us. It faced forward away from the hotel into the jungle ( well a little bit of it) and was not round the pool where the entertainment was of an evening because that was really not our cup of tea. It does make me realise what a waste of money all inclusive is (we had no choice due to a last minute change by Thomson). On saying that if you are happy to stay in the hotel complex you could easily get your moneys worth. We far prefer to get out and about and eat in lots of little out the way places. The hotel location although at 6 in the morning looks a bit daunting is actually quite good once you know the short cut. There is parking after a fashion for scooters and motor bikes in the "jungle" in front of the hotel and there is always security around .

This was my first trip to Goa and I went with my girlfriend to celebrate my 30th. I booked this hotel because of the reviews I have read on this website and booked up with Thomsons. As mentioned in other reviews the staff are fantastic. They remember your name after asking only once and are very attentive without being intrusive. O.k the rooms are basic but how much time do you spend there? The food at the hotel is the best all inclusive food we have had as it is all al a carte rather than buffett except for one night but this too was great. The pool at the hotel is very small and you are unlikely to get a sunbed but it is under a 10 min walk to the beach where there are numerous shacks that give you a sunbed all day you just have to buy the occasional drink. We did eat out a couple of times and it is so cheap - At Tito's restaurant we both had a 3 course meal with drinks and this worked out about £12. One restaurant i recommend is East Meets west which, if you leave the hotel and turn right as about a 10 min walk down the main baga road. We only ate out as a change of scenery and like i say the food at the hotel is excellent with a vast choice. upon return from the elephant trip on my birthday I entered my room to find the hotel had given me a birtday cake and bottle of wine. They must have noticed my birthdate from my passport as I didn't mention this to the staff and I thought this was a very nice gesture. We booked one trip throgh thompons but if you turn right down baga road when you leave the hotel there are a few compnaies on the right hand side of the road which do the same trips but cheaper. alternatively the taxis outside will take you on trips and these are even cheaper. I have never returned to a destination yet but we loved goa and if we did come back this is the hotel i would come to.