Thanks - it actually looks like we might be able to get into the Magnum for only exta £47 each on last year but in one of the studio rooms and we had one of those the first year and it was awful! If we had of booked just a twin earlier (only Feb now!!!) and then requested the room we liked the price would have been just about the same as last year. I am debating whether to book, request the room we like and then phone John the manager to say please don't put us in Cell Block Goa - please give us a nice room not a studio! Actually that's another question - anybody else stayed in a studio in Magnum - was it ok - if so what's the room number please and I'll request it!!!!!

many thanks for your reports, is it really lively, is it cheap food beer trips. which are the best shacks near were staying many thanks shazzer

I've stayed at Prazeres a lot and have never had any noise problems so I think it's a new thing this year.

I know someone who came back about 2 weeks ago and he said that lots of peole had complained about noise so they cancelled lots of cabaret evenings as a result.

The hotel isn;t that lively but it certainly ok for an evening drink. Opposite is Johnnys Bar which is good and cheap but again not that lively.

If you want a bit more hectic then the main drag is a 5 minute walk up the road (or a 50 rupee taxi drive).

The closest beach shack is Bob Marley shack but there are at least another two within a stones throw of there. From Prazeres walk up the road to the T junction, almost opposite is the beach road (more of a dirt track) and at the end of that track is Bob Marley shack. It's a 10 minute walk from Prazeres at the most (or a 50 ruppee taxi again).

Thanks for that fritz, shazzer

Hi,
Please don`t stay at the prazeres. It is a noisy hell hole. I don`t mean general noise i.e people drinking at the bar and live music. I mean head banging noise that goes on until 4 in the morning. When the live music stops the disco music starts. I don`t personally go on holiday to put up with night club music as there are more than enough discos for that. Our rooms were tripple glazed and we soon found out why. The staff at the prazeres used to be nice but since the new manager took over this place has gone down the rattle. A few minutes from the hotel is the moonlight bar and eatery. A few minutes further and you are on the main thread all within walking distance there is no need to use taxis(although you will be well hassled to take one) as you can browse all the way up to the top of the main area of candolim.
sue.

Thanks for all your responses. Actually going to the Highland Beach Resort with part of First Choice on 30th December - pretty good price (I think) £940.00 each for 3 weeks including extra leg room and, flight timing means we get their really early on NY's eve - so can run down to Bobby's Shack to book the NY barbie! Read a couple of negatives on the hotel but most people say it is pretty good! Hopefully....

The Prazeres Hotel has changed over the last 6 weeks. The Manager and Owner of the Prazeres has taken on board peoples concerns and has reduced the late night hours considerably and the noise levels.

Apart from that the Prazeres Resorts Hotel is a very good choice of hotel.

Steve

Can you get the manager to reverse his latest decision - I was planning on using the noise to secure us rooms over the bar & restauarnt at a cheap rate when we get there on the 16th March.

Hi Fritz

There are a couple of ladies in my apartment for the last two months and they keep me informed. I myself will be in the Prazeres on March 5th for 9 weeks see you then

I'll look forward to it.

The first Kings are on me!!

We're off to Prazeres Resort in November, we know it's basic but clean but wondered if anyone had any tips on particular rooms to ask for on check in?? We've read to avoid those rooms near the bar/pool area but wondered if there any "gems" we should request! Any hints would be greatly appreciated.

Also any recommendations of good places to eat out would also be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Hello Jules, I'm staying at The Prazeres in March with my daughter and her friend so I would really appreciate any feedback on your return. Went to Goa in November last year and stayed at The Nizmar in Calangute and had a brilliant time so can't wait to go back.

you want to stay at the back right hand side overlooking the fields, these rooms are the quietest and at the time i went were the newest. Just beware when you look out over the fields you may see the odd local having a number 2. I can get the room numbers that we had if you like cant remember them at the minute though. Stay away from the bar area rooms and also the block thats above reception as i was put in there the first year we went, nice and large but were a bit dated and overlooking the neighbours house and there noisy dog.

Shed loads of reviews of local food places here http://holidayforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=51178

Hope that helps, but it has been a couple of seasons since we stayed at the prazeres so things may have changed with regards to the rooms etc.

Regards

Peter

Peter

That's really useful thanks very much, we will certainly ask for rooms at the back to the right. If I can find an email address I may email them in advance and try my luck!

This site is really useful have since found loads of places to eat and have printed the newbies guide to Goa!!

I also heard it's sometimes better to get a taxi to the resort rather than use the transfer, any ideas how much it might cost?

Also any idea on how much to tip the room boys, waiters etc?

Jules

email addy is prazeres@satyam.net.in, http://www.prazeresresorts.com/presort.htm

Yeah it is better to get a taxi from the airport to your hotel as it saves all the hassle plus you can have an extra 30mins sleep before you head back (and you get to the hotel before all the other ppl on your flight so you can grab the best of the rooms if they try and stick you above the bar).

I generally pre book a taxi which is around £12-15 return with a friend of mine, but if you dont pre book one you will have to get a taxi from the rank outside where you prepay (dont know how much that is) but it will mean changing some rupees up at the airport to be able to pay them. (If the taxi driver tries to take you elsewhere (shop so he gets his book stamped for parts for his taxi is the normal excuse) insist that you are taken directly to the hotel (friendly but firmly)

Tipping all depends, remember that the local wage is very low so whilst tipping a couple of quid for the bar staff to take a box of water to your room may seem peanuts its a hell of a lot. However if you do you get extra fantastic service from then on.

Generally the room boys will be waiting for you when you leave (doesnt matter at what time they will be there) if they have left you loads of supprises when you get back to your room each day then 500 to 1000 rupees is more than enough (£6-£12) if you dont have any supprises then a few hundred rupees is more than enough. (not going to tell you the supprises as it wont be a supprise but you will soon know what they are ) Again its all based on what you feel is right for the level of service.

Waiters etc 10% of the bill is fine (will only be between 20p and a few pound) so nothing major but again just because you are on holiday doesnt mean you tip everything and if you have not had a good meal etc then dont tip its not like america where you get grief about it.

But you will find that you will just round food bills up etc and if you are staying in a shack for the day they will just keep a running tab etc.

Regards

Peter

HI Jules 187 nice to have as a new member .....re/the cost of a taxi we have arranged a taxi for november to take us to Candolim and it is gona be 700rps...........I have an e mail address for a taxi man if you need it I will p/m it to you .............by the way 4 of us will be in the taxi so it must be a big enough car ...(colleen)

Peter, that's great thanks. If you happen to be there in 2-17 November be sure to drop by and I'll buy you a beer to say thanks!! From what's been said I'll get a taxi, beat the crowds
Colleen, please could you send me the email address for the taxi guy, I'll be sure to mention your name so you might get a bit knocked off!!!

Thanks to both of you again.

sorry wont be there till end of March, but if you say hi to manuel and teh lads for me that would be great.

Hi Jules,
Dont forget to inform the reps at the airport if you are getting a taxi so you wont keep everyone waiting on the coach.
allan@marian
Nowdays everybody seems to have a taxi waiting for them so it doesnt seem to be the same advantage of years ago when you got to the Hotel first and had your pick of the rooms, its more like Wacky Races now as all the Taxis race with each other
I would still advise the coach for first timers,