Hi Everyone

Not posted on here recently just lurking and reading threads!!

Anyway I've booked HBR for November 2005 (it's my honeymoon!!), but today I've had a letter from Thomas Cook saying that due to renovations, the hotel will only have one restaurant open (Highpalm Restaurant). It also says that breakfast will be served from this resaurant or the pool bar.

I've not stayed at this hotel before so don't know how badly this will affect our stay at the hotel. Has anyone got any news about the renovations?

Thanks

Hi Spotty, firstly congratulations on your forthcoming wedding and honeymoon.

I went to the HBR to check out the builing work for Sarah Jane (off HT) who was staying there in March. Block F is at the side of where all the building work was in March, so you might want to stay clear of that area. When we had a drink around the pool you could here some hammering but it wasn't to the extent that it would ruin your holiday. Not sure if you've been to Goa before but if you have you'll know that building work isn't like anything that you would see in the costas. There's no massive cranes and machinery, it's pretty much shovel and pick stuff and lots of workmen.
This hotel is really popular, and I would imagine that the management don't want to upset their return visitors, so I don't think you've too much to worry about. Hopefully Sarah Jane, who has stayed there for 2 weeks, will respond to your question and allay any of your fears.

Have a wonderful time in Goa, you've picked a great place for a honeymoon

Happy to oblige Shaz. So here we go, stayed at HBR for 3 weeks in April and the building work is very much as Shaz described. Shovel, Pick and Basket !!. I must say though, the apartments went up at a rate of knots while we were there and the complex will be massive when it is eventually finished. (There are plans for 2 new pools too)The Gulzar restaurant has been knocked down as this is where the apartments are currently being built. For those of you who know Candolim, there is a big area of land opposite the Sea Shell Inn which the HBR own as well as all the land around the current site. This will ALL become apartments by 2007/8 (over 500) You buy the apartment, but can only stay there for a month per year. The rest of the time the HBR rent it out and you split the profit.....timeshare anyone?? We had a great holiday, and it is the second time that we have stayed at the HBR, but we won't be going back as the hotel will be too large and we prefer a smaller hotel. Don't let this put you off, eat out every night, and go to Fishermans Cove on the beach road for a true Indian breakfast. Remember, they don't build at night !!! Good luck with your wedding.

Nice to have you back. I knew you would come in usefull at some point

Shaz

Cheers Shaz. Been a bit busy planning my new kitchen, and trying to keep my tan. Booked for next year yet??

Hi, Just an update and possible correction to the new developments at HBR Candolim. Yes there is quite an extensive new development going on but my recent experience is that the disruption to guests should be minimum, it certainly is , in my experience a well run hotel etc. I have bought a two bedroom appartment there, there are
approx 50 plus British who have done the same and the price is certainly right !!! Any questions fire away, I've been going to Candolim for 10 years some years twice, Love the place and the people, I have friends who stay there all year who keep me updated as to developments as for River Princess, sorry can't help, anyones guess what will become of it and the sooner the better.:)

Hi, Just an update and possible correction to the new developments at HBR Candolim. Yes there is quite an extensive new development going on but my recent experience is that the disruption to guests should be minimum, it certainly is , in my experience a well run hotel etc. I have bought a two bedroom appartment there, there are
approx 50 plus British who have done the same and the price is certainly right !!! Any questions fire away, I've been going to Candolim for 10 years some years twice, Love the place and the people, I have friends who stay there all year who keep me updated as to developments as for River Princess, sorry can't help, anyones guess what will become of it and the sooner the better.:)

Johnny

Is it on the terms above? Stay for 1 month etc.

And the big question, would you mind saying how much you paid?

P.M. me if you prefer not to post

Thanks for replying everyone - I'd been hoping it wasn't going to be too bad. We stayed at Ronil Beach Resort in Baga last year and the hotel next door had building work going on, but as you say it was all pick and basket stuff. They also seemed to do most of the work at night by which time we were in Tito's not giving a damn!!

Booked Candolim this year as the beach was much quieter than Baga - are there any lively pubs in Candolim or will we need to taxi it up to Baga?

Thanks
Ali

Hi Johnny
I too would be interested in the cost of the appartments, please pm me if you can with details.
Thanks
Roy

Sorry I'm a couple of weeks late responding to your enquiries, It seems that the latest part on the development will be completed in November. I bought a 76.80sq metre appartment, two bedrooms two bathrooms, fully furnished lifetime maintainance for £18,080 eighteen months ago, the sterling price depended on thew current exchange rate roops money was 14,82,030.00. The latest phase two bedroomed are 100sq metrs and I think about 23,00,00.00 this also includes maintainance and furniture etc. As far as I know the rent back isn't compulsary but would bring in £900 plus per season. I didn't do the rent back so I keep my posessions there locked and secure all year. If you want more detailed info I suggest you contact them directly. Attention of Kiran Kerkar. highland_goa@sancharnet.in I hope I've got the address correct. Good luck!

HI Spotty, quick update for you re building works at HBR.

After reading your post, I called my travel agent ( First Choice) as we had received no notification re the building work and I was slight;y concerened. FC informed me that they had no info on any building work being carried out in Winter 05/06 season only that the hotel would only have 1 restuarant open.

So to cut a long story short, I emailed the hotel direct and the manager has confirmed that NO building work will be getting carried out from 15/09/05 to 15/04/06. Whether this will turn out to be true or not, I don't know but it certainly made me feel better!

nice one kindar
even though not going to be spending to much time at hotel dont want the hassle,bet the people buying there wont be happy though if it is to be stopped during season

Hi Kindar

Which email address did you use for the Highland Beach? I've been trying to send an email to book a room direct but am having trouble.

Cheers

Tracy

Tracy, email address for HBR is highland_goa@sancharnet.in.

Just in case the email address gets blanked out before it is posted, you can use a link from the HBR website by clicking on the "contact us" button ( or similar! can't remember exactly , but it was easy enough!)

We fly out with first choice on the 20th march with first choice from manchester, we last went to goa and stayed at the highland, 5 years ago.

summersun

hi everyone,
i am an avid reader of this forum as we are going to goa for the first time on 28 november, we are staying in candolim at the highland beach resort.
my question is for anyone who is out in goa or just returned, we have this morning had a letter to say that buiding work is going on at the hotel, the letter does not give us the option to change accommodation, although i am not sure i want to anyway having looked forward to this holiday for so long, i wonder if anybody who is out there can tell us what the extent of the buiding work is at the moment. we are travelling with our thirteen year old son who is so excited at the moment.

just like to say what a great forum this is, very informative for first time visitors like myself!!

Check the thread here for info on the HBR

Hi yes there are building works going on around the Highland, but so there is everywhere here at the moment, there are many places to eat so no worries, you wont hear noise if you are on your honeymoon.......... only the earth moving congrats.