We stayed her over Christmas, we did not get the rooms we requested but were moved after one night. The hotel was clean enough, the staff were friendly. The food was rubbish. The air con was noisy but cold! It was nicely decorated but the gala meal was awful. It did not spoil our holiday though, Goa is Goa and you pay for what you get!

Hi,
Exactly, you do pay for what you get but, at the Dona alcina you just don`t get it anyway.

sue.

Booked through SOMAK pool view room last november at DONA ALCINA arrived by taxi at 9.30 on 29th Jan to be told no room avallible along with no fewer than 10 other people, just what you need after the long overnight journey, then directed to the next door hotel the DOM FRANSICO which resembled a third world run down council estate. Shown to a small dark shaby room at rear with no balcony, not acceptable. Waited 2 hours for SOMAK rep to arrive was then offered a room at the nearby PERDO DO MAR hotel again a room at the rear of property a little larger and cleaner than the others at this place the staff were most friendly but it still is not my idear of a place to spend a much neaded holiday also the balcony over looks an area where the taxi's park and the drivers relieve themselves and of an evening the smell was overpowering. After a few days we booked out and stayed at the CASA SEA SHELLS and enjoyed the rest of the stay . This over booking does seem a problem one we have had before with JEWEL ON THE CROWN

I hope you have made a strong complaint. We had the same problem at christmas with Manos. They moved us to one of those third world hotels, we moved after a couple of days when it was clear that they were not going to find us anything better and we found a little guest house down by the beach which we will definetely stay in again. Anyway so far Manos have offered us £500 refund on top of £100 each they gave us in resort fot the change of accomodation. We have refused the £500 and have told them we will only accept a full refund, which we are now waiting for.
Please complain as these tour operators should not be allowed to treat there clients like this, it seems to happen a lot in Goa now as it is getting quite popular. I will never book a package again, there is loads of clean accomodation for about £5-£10 a room a night which we found recently.
There is plenty of advice on here about complaining if you need help.

Meddy, what are the mattresses like at Casa Sea Shells, is that Roystons place. we meant to see the rooms before we left. whats the cost per night. Cheers Meddy.

val 1234

yes csasa sea shells is Royston's place the beds are find sheets and towels changed 3 to 4 times a week the price just under £10 per night for twin room a bargin.

val 1234

yes casa sea shells is Royston's place the beds are find sheets and towels changed 3 to 4 times a week the price just under £10 per night for twin room a bargin.

cheers meddy, how thick are the mattresses (hehe) we both have doodgy backs!!

I've stayed at the DA and although I had to move 3 times on the day of arrival, I was eventually quite happy with the room that they gave me. For me the points of this holiday were that -
a) I'd been to Goa many times before and I knew that if I didn't like the accomodation I'd be able to find somewhere else to stay
b) I was flying from Manchester and I only paid £440 for a 3 week holiday.
If I had been travelling to Goa for the first time I would have been disappointed with the accomodation. The worst rooms seem to be those at the very back of the complex, so anyone offered these I should ask for a room in any of the annexes that surround the pool.
As far as the price, well if I had paid £1000+ for each person I would have been aggrieved, but £440 quid for 3 weeks, well I would pay this for just a few days in London, so why winge? I think you gets what you pay for. A work colleague has just come back from the DA and I thought she was going to slate the DA. Infact she was happy with the accomodation but complained about being woken up on the beach by the traders when she was sunbathing. Seems like you can't please everyone eh?

Sharon

Well said Shaz... If you want european standards go to Europe......

couldn't agree more. we got a great deal, 2 weeks for under 300pounds per person. you can't complain at that. And its in a really good location.

deb

Going to Goa on 12/3 for first time, booked Dona Alcina, then read reviews and not looking good! Is there any hotels near that anyone can recommend if we need to get out?

If you want to stop in a guesthouse close to the beach and also close to shops, I would recommend Jo's Ponderosa, please do not put off because it is only a guesthouse, the facilities are good and rooms are very clean. Worth looking at, even if you do not stop there. I have talked to alot of people who have moved from your accommodation and stayed at the ponderosa. Hope it gives some help.

Poohead,
Thanks for the info. Do you know how much they charge per night?
Its my first time to Goa.
I wish I had read the reviews first - some said it was OK but the vast majority say it is the pits, therfore I want to be prepared. I am not expecting anything but basic accommodation but do want to feel safe and clean.
Whatever happens I still cant wait to get there.
Thanks again.
Twoshoes

If you look on http://www.ponderosagoa.com this will list prices and show you some pictures of the guest house. The guest house looks a little dark on the website, but i promise you, you would not be disappointed if you go and have a look. well worth stopping at if you are not happy when you get there with your accommodation. I guarantee you would not be disappointed. Have a good holiday

poohead

Hi this was the first hotel in Goa that we stayed at and i must admit it was basic compared to what we were used to in the "med", but it was clean .
I tend to always book a room over looking the pool area because in my view if your over looking the pool area you are not over looking the bin's
The staff were very friendly apart from the tandori chef who started to look at me rather menacingly when i sent my tandori chicken back for the 3rd time but i tend to like my chicken cooked to more than just seared
Having said that the Dona Alcina holds fond memories for me and my hubby, it was our introduction to Goa and we still return after all these years, this year was our 6th visit ( i think i can't remenber going anywhere else)
All i can say is go and give it a go, on one of these threads someone wrote that they go every year they just take a set of sheets with them and leave then there, i would say buy some when your out there and leave then to a local family
jayne

Can you believe we were offered this hotel as a three star from some travel agents. From what I've heard, I don't think so.

Hello twoshoes!
I odn't know if you'll get this as I'm new to all this malarky but we have just returned from Goa, last Saturday,(sob sob) and we were meant to stay at the Dona Alcina, but didn't. Myself and my daughter were on a seperate flight to 8 other members of 'our party', and they arrived first, took one look at the place and left. Luckily we have a firend out there, and he got us into the Bernard Simao Beach Resort, which I think was in Calangute, or just at the end of Candolim. It all runs into one another. They were basic, but spacious, and the staff are wonderful. Michael and Vionna, the owners are really lovely. You walk 2 minutes and you are at the pine tree shack, on the beach, and about 5 minutes the other way and you are on the main road where zillions of friendly taxi drivers are willing to take you anywhere for next to nothing. You will love it. I want to go back!

Thanks for the info breezerbabe. Why did they leave? Did the complain to the rep?
I'm going on Sat and really anxious about the state of this hotel
Its our first time and after reading the reviews and the other threads about the cows/snakes/dogs/spiders I'm wondering what I've let myself in for.
Onlything that it keeping me sane it that everyone on the forum seems to have a great time regardless!