Hi

It seems like you have had an awful time. Who was your tour operator and have you complained to them?

Hi

It seems like you have had an awful time. Who was your tour operator and have you complained to them?

If you are refering to me Simpson, thanks for the sympathy but it's not needed. I had a smashing time even if the Marinha Dourada has allowed it's crown to slip somewhat. It's still basically a decent hotel, they just need to get their act together again, prioritise their guests needs and sort them !!
Incidentally, I didn't have a tour operator as such although I booked the accomodation through Cosmos. I informed the Monarch rep of the footpath situation when I saw her at our next hotel. cheers Dave

Glad to hear that you still enjoyed your holiday. Thanks for the reply.

Well Dave certainly plenty of food for thought there. We didnt stay at the MD last season, although we visited Goa twice, we booked our own flights and separate accommodation. Basically we didnt go because the brochure prices had gone thru the roof.
Ive also said for sometime that the rooms are in dire need of decoration, I appreciate the rooms are kept spotlessley clean but the rooms are old fashioned and dated.
Regarding the footpaths that is not on and someone is going to be seriously hurt there. I will see what I think when I get there in March. In my opinion its aways been one of the better hotels, albeit still basic, but the surroundings are nice, the hotel is clean and the staff are lovely. If my opinion changes I will opt for doing my own flights and own apartment, some of the brochure hotels I just simply wouldnt allow myself to stay in, even if they were being sold at rock bottom prices. I am not a snob, but they are just far too basic for me.

Gemma, by the time March comes around the footpath won't be a problem as it won't be wet !
It will be interesting to see if they have sorted the breakfast situation. I have always been more than satisfied in the past but this year it was not good. The toasters have been a joke for a while, this time even worse with regular breakdowns and burning toast ! Not only that but there wasn't any honey for my porridge either !!!
One of the best things about the MD is that it attracts nice people.We have enjoyed the poolside chatter every time we have been.
Having now discovered the far end of Candolim though, that is where we will return as and when we go back.
Incidentally, even booking for 2 weeks, the MD booked on the Monarch web as accomodation only plus Qatar flights was about the same price as the Monarch package with standard seats on the plane. The premium seats would have made Monarch dearer. Looking now though, there is no availability showing for March but that may change.Dave

Ive always thought the breakfast was very poor at the MD, hence the reason why I very seldom go for it.
I must admit I do prefer the beach and shacks along at Candolim, but the area itself is like "Little Britain" to me so I prefer it along in Arpora which I think feels much more Indian.
We shall see what happens when we go in March

I know what you mean about Arpora Gemma.
Candolim... Little Britain... I don't think so....... more like Back in the USSR ( you don't know how lucky you are !) nowadays !!!!!!

Never thought of it like that before Dave but so very true what you are saying.

Benaulim had a lot of Russians, who don't speak a word of English. There doesn't seem to be be much in the way of infrastructure for them in terms of language translation, there are a few signs in Russian as well as menus in Russian. Speaking to the owner of one of the shacks he told me that they were trying to persuade some of the Russian girls who speak English to work at the shacks as intermediaries. The MOL was too scared to talk to the Russians who did seem to be enjoying themselves in the sea.

It was good to see that there were life guards but baywatch it was not.

Speaking to the owner of one of the shacks he told me that they were trying to persuade some of the Russian girls who speak English to work at the shacks as intermediaries

They have got the neccessary VISA of course !

Off course.. from the Reserve Bank of India

Good reading Dave - Nice to see Candolim getting the thumbs up.

So glad we have stayed away for 2 years... have no thoughts about returning either after all the comments I have been reading!!!! such a shame as we had so many good years in Goa

So glad we have stayed away for 2 years... have no thoughts about returning either after all the comments I have been reading!!!! such a shame as we had so many good years in Goa

I'd be interested to know where you have been instead !
Despite some negative observations by myself that I have reported here, I have to say this last trip was as good as any. Candolim opened my eyes to new opportunities ! Whilst staying in Arpora for 18 nights last year we didn't venture on to the beach at Baga once as we had enjoyed walks on the deserted stretches of southern beaches before moving North. As we were only based in the North this time we did venture on to the beach a few times during the evening whist based in Arpora again. My opinion is no different, and was the reason we didn't go last year. I am presumably in a minority when you see the numbers packed on to the Baga to Calangute strip. Having a beer in Britto's shack to watch the sun go down is kind of interesting if nothing else, but something I want limited exposure to. Crowds, watersport mayhem, even as darkness descends. Petrol fumes are order of the day. We didn't consider eating in Brito's despite having had decent reports as it has a warehouse like atmosphere !
Once you walk past the Calangute Steps, things do improve a little but really only when you get to the boundary with Candolim. From there on, although the tide washes up garbage, the beach is somewhat cleaner. Having now moved hotels, we had enjoyable strolls from the southern end of the beach to Candolim Beach Rd most evenings. However, with evidence of discarded bottle tops, and broken glass it pays to be vigilant. I would never venture in to the water, not only because of the currents but due to pollution. Baga creek is a running sewer straight in to the sea. I even saw three drowned kittens floating by on one occassion.
Goa might have changed dramatically in some parts, often for the worse but also for the better in some ways too. The choice of eating places is fabulous, and there are still some unspoilt places if you travel away from the tourist hot spots. I wouldn't return quite so early in November in the future because for the second year running we experienced the tail end of the rains. Goa in a sea of red mud is not too appealing. Diwali coinciding just added to the crowds and the mayhem of congestion on the roads.
I have sworn to go elsewhere next year, but who knows, for the same budget I really need to know where else I can go that ticks all my boxes of food, sunshine, value for money ( Yes, there are places that could cost me a fortune) and for myself, a good variety of avian wildlife to satisfy my photographic hobby.
Please help someone or I may well be back sooner than expected !

Have you sat and had lunch at Ahh! Goa on the riverside just passed Nerual, so peaceful away from the hussle and bussle of Candolim. You will find plenty to photograph. On Sundays there is a BBQ and included in the price, is a group, bingo (one game!!!!!)
and a boat trip of about 20 mins, along the river. Plenty there for you to photo, including a tree full of huge bats

Sounds good Bardez, but that's a reason to go back not an alternative !!!!

Dawn / Graham - would be interesting to read what's kept you away for 2 years, and with no plans on a return visit..

Davewales, may I suggest Ko Chang in Thailand it is awesome