Just found the Marina Dourada on Google Earth!

Good news...it's in high resolution.

15°34'3.79"N

73°45'38.92"E

It really helps me to put into perspective the whereabouts of the hotel in relation to the beach etc.

Just checking the Thomas Cook website and it list the hotel as having two swimming pools, one of which is free form.

What is a free form swimming pool??

A pool with a natural uneven shape, resembling a lagoon.

Thanks for that Lassigirl!

I've never heard of that....I must lead a sheltered life!!

We have booked for 2 March 2008 for 2 weeks and we have paid £1448 for 3 of us, that is 2 adults and 1 child.

My sister in law works for Thomson but she booked it via Thomas Cook as she could not beat their price.

Cannot wait now, this will be our 5th visit, but first time to Marina Dourada.

Just hope the bridge is finished by the time we arrive, because my sister has just come back and it adds time onto your taxi journey to the beach. They are charging around 150 rupees at the moment.

Rachie youre dead right - Thomas Cook are the cheapest by far to the MD and thats why they are booked solid from beginning November until end of February
You will love MD. We are going November and Feburary, so might see you. Hopefully, the bridge will be all finished by then also

I also booked with Thiomas Cook. Nobody could came near their price!

Q. I showed my daughter the Marinha Dourada hotel on Google earth last night and she was horrified at the length of the walk to the beach!!!

Teenagers!!!

But how long does it take or is it better to get a taxi.

What is this new bridge that you are talking about???

There is a very old bridge which is currently being demolished and a new one being built. There is still a footpath for people to walk over (bikes and scooters can also get across). The bridge links you from the hotel to the beach. So taxis have to go a longer way round to get the beach.
Its a bit far to walk from the MD to the beach. You can get a taxi from outside the hotel or the hotel have a free courtesy bus which runs from 9-6.

Hi Gemma33, just to say we are finally booked up at the Marinha for next March for 21 nights, yippee.
We go on the 8th. Too far away to work out how many sleeps.
Hope to see some HTers whilst there.
Spottiswoode

Hi Spottiswoode, thats great news. Read one of your other postings saying you hadnt been away for a couple of years so you will be looking forward to it even more. We are there til 11 March so hopefully catch up with you. Its a wonderful hotel isnt it.

Thats great Gemma33 hope to see you at the bar. Which block do you normally stay in? The hotel is excellent. Great location and surroundings. Are you staying here in November? If so say hi to Sachin and Peter at the bar if they are still there.

Just a wee bit excited.
Spottiswoode

This time we stayed in the main block and had a fabulous room overlooking both the main pool and lake. We requested a room in the main block cos of all the work going on near the annex buildings.
We have stayed in the annex as well mind you, and like it there also.
If I had to choose, it would probably be the main building. What about you?
Yes we are staying at the MD in November as well.

We have always stayed in the main block B if I remember right. Will ask for this block again but can't remember the room nr. Will just wait until we get there and hopefully one will be free. Lucky you going in November as well.
We are flying with FC from Gatwick, never flown with them before always Monarch. Need to find a cheap flight from Edinburgh down.
Spottiswoode

Hi We stayed at the Beautiful MD in the annexe block which despite the building work sometimes preventing a totally relaxing lie down on the bed after a long day. we prefered as we loved the view over the lake watching the eagles and kingfishers. We are booked to return there next March. Can i request a particular area of the hotel? Is it best to Email ? Thanks for any advice on this. Lisa

Hi Lisa, we use the MD also, and about a month or so before going we email them to try and book an annexe room and normally there's not a problem. Good luck.

Do all the annexe rooms overlook the lakes?

Yes spinner all annex rooms overlook the lake, absolutely gorgeous,

LisawithanS

we loved the view over the lake watching the eagles

It's probably Black Kites or Braminy Kites you have seen at the lake & mud flats. Look here Kites

If you have seen White Bellied Fish Eagles - you have been very lucky. I have only seen them farther up the coast at the Chapora Fort.

Thanks bobbsi will do that. Dont really mind what part of the hotel we are as we are out and about most days but annexe is quieter and prettier.
Hi spinner you must go to the MD its idyllic view from the annexe block is unforgettable especially early mornings and around sunset. My hubby went for walk most mornings very early before others were awake around both lakes and saw lots of birds and the elusive huge barramundi? that one particular chap spent his whole fortnight trying to catch! Those fish are so clever!
Hi maxbiker yeah the big eagle type birds you see a lot of over the lakes are the kites you mentioned, but we did see a white bellied eagle one day it was being mobbed by all the kites, and was driven off by them. we also saw some amazing birds on the Jake the Snake river trip we did. Anyone else do that? Saw a couple of mugger crocs close up causing great excitement, almost tipped the boat up! Saw some incredibly beautiful kingfishers, every one of the type found in Goa, a birdlovers dream trip down amongst the mangroves. I loved it,if you do decide to go, get one of the taxi drivers to take you rather than through the reps, ours was called Schumacher (soz if spelling wrong.) He was a real character and took us everywhere all fortnight.