Hi Toondoug,

I know somebody that stayed at Neelams last December, it's a lovely Hotel. Rooms were well equiped with TV, comfy sofa, loads of storage space etc. It did used to be Silent Retreat but it's a vast improvement from what I remember. There is some building work going on at the front of the Hotel, not sure if it's anything to do with Neelams though.

GFF xx

thanks goldenflipflop,we,ll go and check it out when we are there in calangute in january

has anyone heard of or stayed at a hotel called neelams the grand in calangute. there is a good deal in a travel agents but got can't find any info from anywhere

Hi,

Had people come out for a visit last year at Xmas time, they stayed at the Grand.....very nice hotel. They have three standards of room and our lot stayed in the mid range ones - nice, well kitted out, good size etc.
The hotel used to be called Silent Retreat but it's been sold on and refurbished. It's in quite a good location - bit of a walk to the beach though!!
There is some building work going on at the moment next to the Hotel, (people out here reckon it's the new McDonalds.....but I'm sure thats just a rumour), it's more likely to be an extension to the Hotel.
If you look on John the Map - scroll to the bottom of the Calangute page you'll see an orange building marked "Silent Shoppe" - thats the Hotel.

GFF xx

http://www.johnthemap.co.uk/pages/goa/baga_calngte.html

thanks for info. looks like the grandd it is as i don't mind a walk

We are due to head to Goa in 2 weeks (for the 1st time). WAs really looking forward to it but we have been informed by our travel company that there are 'construction works' on-going at the hotel? Does anyone know the extent of the works/ disruption being caused. Not sure whether to pull the pin or not!! As usual holiday company are not exactly forthcoming with info!

Hi wimthetim,

If you read my earlier posting you'll see that I mentioned the building work. Unfortunately it's still going on at the moment and it's quite a big site. Disruption to your holiday would depend on what room you are allocated, the site is outside the compond of the Hotel as it stands at the moment but some of the rooms back onto it which would mean noise. Ask your travel Co which other Hotel they would be willing to put you in and then ask for people thoughts on that Hotel on here before you decide.

If it's any consolation building works are rife at the moment, lots of people have returned to Goa for their six month stint this year and have been forced to find alternative acommodation because of construction sites popping up. The building works are not too noisy out here - not on the scale of UK construction sites but if you catch them on the odd day that the cement mixers turn up or the tile cutting is taking place it CAN be VERY noisy!!

Hope you get something sorted and still enjoy Goa,

GFF xx

GFF,
Thanks for your help. I appreciate it will be room dependant and nobody can foresee how bad/ good it might be.
Time will tell but the sun will still be shining and there's no point worrying. Regardless of any disruption it will still be better than working!

wim

hi we stayed at neelams the grand for two weeks from feb 8th 2006. we booked a late deal with thomsons. we had previously stayed at the goan heritage but it was coming up too expensive. neelams was great. we booked a superior room. it had a bedroom,small lounge and bathroom/ full size fridge and air cond in both rooms.we were on the ground floor with a balcony overlooking the pool. our room boy was fred and he was brilliant. breakfast was very good-outside with eggs cooked to order bacon , toast croissants and some indian dishes too plus fruit juice and tea or coffee.bar prices a little high e.g. large kingfisher 100 rupees but we always went outside hotel.security boxes v.good all you had to do was buy a padlock,150r, but a security guard was always there when you opened it. it was downstairs under reception.overall hotel very good lovely and clean. would have gone back 2007 but wanted to try candolim. would return again in future

hi lardyhead
If you have time could you post our first review for Neelams here please? Just copy and paste what you have here and rate it.
Thanks!

We just got back, and to answer my own question for the benefit of anyone else with a similar query, the building works were suspended for the holiday season so as not to spoil anyone's holiday. They've also got big sheeting around the site, complete with obligatory Kingfisher symbols, so you cant even see the site.
Bit of unnecessary scaremongering by Thomas Cook me thinks.

As for Goa, what a place. Best place i have ever been. So difficult to articulate what it is about the place that makes it so enjoyable but it certainly has something.