I have read that some of the shacks in Candolim charge for the sunbeds.

Most place's including the Big Banana started charging for sunbeds just after Christmas but in Baga they soon stopped when their customers walked away. Candolim is an area that a lot of new to Goa tourist use and they paid for sunbeds because they did not know they are normally free or the shacks just stuck a 100/200 rps on the bill and people just paid it with out query.

They will charge if you let them and you have to remember they could only have 20 beds at a shack so it was a supply and demand
situation and some people were happy to pay if they could get a bed.

Spike I did say there are some good shacks down that way but I bet they are all praying the wreck does not break up in the monsoons as some predict, I agree they have all done well to struggled on this season and don't need any more problems.

Hi Morna

i have a place in HBR and yes you have to make sure in which part of the hotel you are staying in, i know all the management and staff there so if you want some help let me know via PM ie your names, dates you are coming and which holiday company you will be using, it's not what you know it's who you know.

I agree use Ganesh shack ask for Raj and let them know you want to reserve the beds for however long you are there for and i would think they will be free, don't quote me on that one though, it is a bit of a walk from the HBR but it is all road and not along the sand although if you prefered once you have found it you may want to walk the beach.

Speak soon

Mike

Hi ive just been pricing up the above hotel for next christmas and new year. Ive checked with first choice and they want over 3000pounds for 2 adults and 1 child departing christmas day for 2 weeks.
This seems a bit expensive, so i have looked into renting an apartment at the highland beach.
Lowcostholidays are quoting nearly 1000pounds per roo, which works out at just over 300pounds per person.

If i managed to find a flight to Mumbai for 400pounds, then a connecting flight to Goa for around 100pounds return, then it would work out at around 800pounds per person for flights and hotel.

This hotel seems perfect for us, in a good location, and i would like to get it booked as soon as possible, but i cant because the flights arent showing for another few months.
I am really tempted to book with first choice, as i dont want to end up somewhere else, but 600pounds is a lot of money to us, which is what we'd save by booking DIY.

Has anyone got any advice before i end up booking the first choice holiday and losing lots of money?
Does anyone know if i could possibly rent it any cheaper elsewhere?

thanks very much

Hi Nicola there are some great apartments opp the Highland you will find lots on Owners direct,they are about 2yrs
old ,all have 2 bedrooms and there are 3 swimming pools in the complex,we have booked there for Nov this year;i think they would
work out cheaper than the Highland and better accomodation,the old part of the Highland needs a revamp
The apartments are at Regal Park Candolim
annx

Do you mean next Xmas 2009/2010 or 2101/2011 ? I am wanting to go Xmas 2010/2011

Hi Ann, thanks very much, i will take a look . I did type into google apartments to rent in Goa and im sure that website came up.
Do you book by telephoning them?

Shirley - im looking for christmas 2010/2011 where are you hoping to stay?

Nicola

Hi Nicola i sent an e-mail to the owner of ours,you can check availability on the owners page
also the cost for the weeks you require,we have the ground floor apartment over looking one
of the pools,if you need any information just ask
annx

just checked the price, this Xmas 2009 is £400 per week,that,s another save on your quote
from the Highland

Hi Ann, i have just had another look and i have seen a nice apartment in the sunshine park complex for 280pounds per week, with a 150pounds breakage deposit.

It says there is a balcony sea view, and another balcony which overlooks the pool, so it seems pretty good, and its a 2 bedroom.

I cant believe i have nearly alway gone package holiday, never again. The quality of private apartments are far better than tour operator hotels.

Hi Nicola have sent you a PM re The Sunshine Apartments
annx

thanks, i have replied
I have been looking through the reviews of the sunshine park and it seems no one seems to have any faults with the private apartments, but they complain about the dirty swimming pool and the dogs in the walkway, and the overall state of the complex.

so it looks like i will have to pay the bit extra and go for somewhere else.

We arent booking until around Feb, so i hope there will be places available that arent fully booked for xmas 2010.

Hi Nichola, not sure where we will stay yet ? maybe the Highland Beach (stayed before and going back in March) or like the look of the Nazri in Baga , wouldn't rule out the Osborne either

hoping someone can help me out here please
friends of ours have just booked Highland Beach for february and the travel agent says it is a hotel room, not an apartment room. their paperwork says 'room with private facilities, up to 4 adults, twin beds, air... ceiling fan, balcony/terrace'. are the hotel rooms totally different from the apartment rooms, do they have a minibar or minifridge, and do they have a lounge/kitchen area or not? Sorry for all the questions but it is our friends first time to Goa and we have not stayed at Highland Beach, usually rent our Goan friend apartment. We have only stayed at Sunset Beach hotel in the past and that had a full fridge in the room.
They are frantic with worry as to what the room actually consists of as the travel agent does not know.

any information appreciated, many thanks

Silver Angel

As far as I know(we have stayed there twice)all HBR rooms are apartment types as most Goan rooms are.Either with one bedroom or two all have a seperate lounge come kitchen area with fridge and tv.

Living area have ceiling fan and bedroom has aircon albeit usually quite noisy.

Apartments vary at HBR as blocks were built at different times however for Goa HBR is one of the better places to stay and we have stayed in many.

Check out the reviews on this and other forums.

Papa

I know that the Highland have refurbished the rooms in the main block and are filling up these first. Due to the reducing tourist numbers this year, part of the Highland isn't being used at all. I believe this is the newest part of the hotel immediately behind Newton's.

I think you should contact the hotel directly to ensure that your friends are going to be where they want to be. Phases III and IV have apartments rooms.

I can't say for sure, but as the Highland is one of the better hotels in Candolim, I think all the rooms would have fridges. The above phases certainly do.

thankyou so much Papa and KatieP for replying so quickly. Its sounding much better than they thought. it sounds like the HB rooms are very spacious.

KatieP.

Interesting you say HBR have refurbed the rooms in the main block.Do you know what the refurb consisted of? Was it the usual lick of paint every twenty years or a full rip out and renewal.

We were looking at that as one of our options for March so would be interested to know how much has been done.

Papa

To be honest Papa, I heard from someone who was told this by the manager so I haven't seen with my own eyes but heard they were nice. I thought I might ask to have a nosy at one or two of the 'older' rooms when we go back in January.

We are staying at HBR, going on 4th Janauary, will let you know what the rooms are like when we get back, we have stayed here twice before and always seem to have been in the main block near reception, like you say a bit outdated so hopefully we will get one of the newer rooms this time.

Maria

Hi, we have stayed in one of the larger rooms - on entering there was a really large lounge and kitchen area. There were two bedrooms with there own bathroom facilities and there own balconies. We were delighted with the space. There's also another balcony off the main lounge. You won't be disappointed