Food brilliant staff in restaurant you only need to ask and they will make it for you Wilma the chefs desserts are second to none .Upstairs in the bar Myron and Moovin are pleasant ,attentive and always smiling.However the rooms are in need of upgrading but clean and comfortable.Lack of umbrellas at pool and lack of motivation from Maria and her animation team who are quite happy to sit all day and read the paper or chat .poor leadership skills in that department.Overall great holiday met some lovely people from Newcastle and Wales will more than likely return next year

Stayed at Dona Sylvia for a one week winter break. Excellent break if one week a little short. On arrival in the early hours of the morning after a rather lengthy and ardous trip from Manchester, was greeted in an extremely friendly and welcoming fashion, being offered food and refreshments. The room allocated was a bungalow style ground floor apartment. Wonderful accomodation in a beautiful setting in the most fantastic grounds. Only one problem with the room throughout our stay, the safe locked shut, however upon reporting this to the Management was rectified instantly. All other appliances worked perfectly.We stayed on the all inclusive option, the food and drink on offer was plentiful, varied and of an excellent quality. I would defy anyone not to be able to find something on the menu to suit. Throughout our stay the staff were extremely friendly, attentive and helpful. Nothing was to much trouble. Location is perfect, the beach is beautiful, and the hotel grounds superb. I have read previous reviews in respect of the availabilty of sunbeds, at no time did we have any trouble, as long as you are content to sit a short distance away from the pool, and no I did not need to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve a sunbed. The only criticism is the poolside snack bar, which looks a little tired, and could do with rejuvenating, (I am led to believe that this is on the agenda). In all a very enjoyable and relaxing break, with guaranteed sunshine, would recommend.

We stayed at the Dona Sylvia for a winter holiday in January.

The hotel’s location is excellent. There are a number of very good restaurants just outside of the gates, and the hotel has direct access to a gorgeous beach. A walk of 100 yards-or-so North along the beach will take you to a quiet spot away from the beach shacks if you would rather be away from the crowds. The transfer from the airport took around an hour and a half.

The first room we were allocated was absolutely terrible. It was dirty, had a funny smell, the décor was tired, the lights pulsated on-and-off and blue sparks shot out of power switches when we turned the lights on! We complained to reception and were allocated another room within a few minutes which was far better. That said, the second room was still no better than three star standard – the décor required updating, the air con was noisy and the in-room fridge did not work. There was a consistent view amongst guests that the ground floor rooms were of a far lower standard than the first floor rooms.

We stayed all-inclusive. The food was pretty good quality and better than many all-inclusive buffets. The food changed each day and there was a good choice of Western and Indian food. There are two a la carte restaurants and you receive vouchers when checking-in which entitle you to one meal in each restaurant. We only ate in the Indian-theme restaurant, which was very nice.

The all-inclusive drinks options are limited (beer, white rum, dark rum, vodka, gin, whisky and fenny - all locally-made spirits and no premium brands – white wine and red wine; and Coke, Fanta, Sprite, orange juice, pineapple juice and tomato juice for soft drinks). There is also a selection of around 10 fairly uninspiring cocktails (screwdriver, bloody Mary etc.).

If you order anything that is not an all-inclusive option, then you will pay near-clip joint prices. A bottle of the only rose wine on the menu cost more than a three course meal for two with drinks in a restaurant outside of the hotel!

The hotel has a very good pool, but not enough sun loungers. In fact, the situation with the sun loungers was farcical with people placing towels on them early in the day (we once counted that around three quarters of the loungers were reserved by 6:30am!) and often not returning until late in the afternoon. We saw two separate heated arguments between people who laid claim to the same sun loungers.

The staff are very helpful and friendly, although drinks service in the buffet restaurant can be a bit hit-and-miss. There are a number of daytime entertainment staff who organise volleyball games, quizzes, cookery demonstrations and other activities.

The hotel provided evening entertainment, however, the quality of the performers was consistently poor. We left being genuinely uncertain whether one of the performers was a ‘proper’ musician or a comedy act.

The hotel seems to have two types of guests: those love the place and return year-after-year; or hate it and vow never to go back. We thought the hotel was fine –if not the four star standard which it claims – but we wouldn’t return for the simple reason that there is such a wide choice of restaurants and bars in the area which offer incredibly good value food and drink that going all inclusive is not worthwhile. If, however, you want a couple of weeks in the sun without having to venture outside of the hotel complex then you could do a lot worse than this hotel.

Have just returned from Dona Sylvia after two week stay. As we arrived in the early hours of the morning, they had made sandwiches for us which was really nice. Our room was on the ground floor, which I had requested, beds and towels changed daily, but a bit hit and miss on leaving hand towels. However a phone call to housekeeping and the next thing they are there. Rooms are basic but clean. As has been said before need updating, but they are doing them in stages.
The whole layout of the complex is stunning, with trees, flowers and shrubs everywhere.Had no trouble with dogs, if anything they are frightened of you if you should come across one.
Swimming pool was crystal clear and lovely and large. Lots of sunbeds and sunshades, but you still have people who save beds before it is even light!! Pool boys will always find you a bed and if possible a sunshade. If not there are lots of shaded areas to sit.
Snack bar we found very good as it was open between 10 in the morning till 6 at night and seved a variety of dishes...........including chips.
We always found lots of choice in the buffet restaurant, and the gala nights outside seemed to have a larger selection of food again, so never went hungry.
Pool bar service was always good thanks to Sachin, but would of liked to of seen the waiters asking people if they would like a drink as they walked around collecting the empty glasses. I am sure that people would appreciate this and would tip accordingly, thus making it worth there while. Also would like to see this in the main bar.
Entertainment to be honest was a bit hit and miss, the Kareoke seemed to be the most popular whilst we were there. We found the gala night entertainment started a little to early and we nearly always missed it as we usually ate around 8.30 and by then the main entertainment had been on, and there would normally be a band playing for the rest of the night.
Could not fault any of the staff, always helpful and polite.
Lots of places outside the hotel to eat and drink with none of the hassle you sometimes get in other countries, which we found most refreshing.
Shacks on the beach had good food and very cheap to. Spent quite a few days on the beach, no problems with dogs or sellers, a polite no thank you and they just walk away.
This is our third trip to Goa, and was most enjoyable, so much so that we are booking to return next year.
If anyone would like more information, as I have no doubt missed out loads, just ask.