This was our first visit to Goa and was not at all sure what to expect.

We have relatives who have stayed in Candolim and several other reorts in Goa over the past 10 years and reccomended the Highland Beach Resort to us.

We found the hotel and rooms in the Highland Beach resort were very acceptable and the apartment very clean and spacious, with the rooms cleaned daily.

The hotel gardens and pool area are kept imaculate and the whole complex had a very tranquil feeling. We found the staff to be most friendly and always seemed to greet you with a smile.

Our apartment was at the rear of the complex and was very quiet and the hotel had good security.

We had been advised that there was building work taking place prior to our departure but found it didn`t seem to affect anyone we met.

We were awoken daily to the sounds of birds singing in the trees as the whole complex has been well designed and thought out and manages to keep a natural peacfull settings.

On the negative side the beds were very hard and difficult to sleep on, but i would suggest asking reception for additional matresses. The beach is approx 15 min walk and you do get a fair bit of hassle from street sellers.

I would certainly reccommend the Highland Beach resort and would not hesitate to return.

The highland beach was typical of India, clean but basic. Having stayed in both the leela, the marriott and a private villa in the area all have their plus and minus points. What i can remark about the highland beach is the friendliness of the staff, something that the marriott and leela often lack. The position of the highland is something that lets it down, but whilst their travelling around the area is a must, not lying on the beach. Ask for the rooms at the back of the resort around the oval pool, this is much more reserved and quiet.

Well where do I start.Had read all the reviews about this hotel and was a little worried.We have been to Goa a few times so were not really suprised by what we found.

Had requested a room at the back of the Hotel away from the noise so this being India got room 502 at the front right in front of the new buildings.After consideration decided not to ask for move as at least for the first week the noise was not that bad.

The room was designed as a sort of small apartment with very small bedroom and small lounge area with fridge and for some reason a sink.Furniture out of the 1970s and a bed that was so hard that I resorted to painkillers to sort my poor back out.The space could have been used much better.

While reading this please understand that this is India and nothing we Europeans are used to applies.This review is not a gripe or complaint but just my obversation based on my particular experience.

Room was cleaned daily but in the end I cleaned the bathroom myself as it just was not being done.Toilet seat was broken and it took a week of phonecalls and visits to the duty manager to get it fixed.Toilet rolls were only replaced after phonecalls to housekeeping.

Made good use of the cheap laundry failities and came home with one suitcase of clean clothes.

Hotel has three pools one of which I used a few times and found to be clean and pleasant.We are mostly beach people in Goa.

I personally found the staff to be friendly and very polite if a little bit keen for tips.

As the Hotel is expanding so fast we found breakfast a waste of time from 8.15 to 9.45 as it was impossible to get a table so most days ate on the way to the beach.

I am sure that the new rooms are very nice but ours was very dated.The problem as I see it having stayed in several hotels in Goa is this.Once a hotel is built that is it.There does not seem to be a plan for refurbishment or redecoration or renewal of soft furnishings, bedding or towels.It is just not in the budget.

Whilst I qualified this report by saying we could not expect European standards in Goa the fact is they have been dealing with tourism for many years and really should be doing much better.

A phrase I found myself repeating many times to myself over our fortnight with a wry shake of my head was "Clueless,clueless,clueless".

So not really surprised but it could be much much better.

Having never been to Goa before i wasnt sure what to expect and expected the worst when I first arrived. Not exactly the Ritz but a good base for a really good and relaxing holiday.

The room was in the oldest part of the complex and was basic but acceptable. If I were to go back I would ask for a room in the newer part of the complex.

The staff were helpfull and the main kitchen was open 24/7 which was helpful after a few beers and staggering home at 1 in the morning !

We stayed at the Highland Beach 2 years ago when the staff were really friendly. We decided on a repeat visit.

What a difference. The room service staff did not smile or even say thank you to any tips. Once we waited 3 hours after phoning housekeeping to replace clean towels.

The meals are terrible compared to the many great places to eat outside. The table cloths at breakfast and the staff uniforms all could do with a good wash. Due to the increase in size of the hotel the attentiveness to customers has now gone down.

On the plus points we stayed in one of the new 2 bedroom appartment rooms which was very good with 3 balconies. As for the building work noise, well if you are one of those holiday makers who spend 14 days sat around.

one of the 3 pools (the type who reserve beds with towels) then the noise would be disturbing. If you like the sound of the arabian Sea and clean beaches then that is the better option as it is only 10 mins walk away.

The hotel offers free Safety Deposit boxes but you have to supply a suitable padlock. My advise is to bring a strong one with you and not use a flimsey case lock.

If you have already booked your holiday you will have a great time, if you are thinking of booking choose the Marinha Dourada or similar instead.

Having been to Goa for the past 8 years, I have stayed in this paticular hotel twice now and found it to be, clean, friendly - nothing was to much trouble for the staff, and the food was also quite palatable. Our room and bathroom were cleaned every day with clean bedding every other day. If anything extra was needed re: extra bedding, it was there within a couple of hours depending on how busy the staff were. YES there is building work going on in the hotel but we didn't find this to be a problem as there is so much to see and do in Goa we were hardly in the room any way. The only problem we found, but it is not only confined to this hotel is that the bar closes at 23:00, again this is not much of a problem as there is 24hr room service or a mini bar in the room.

We stayed in the Highland Beach Resort for two weeks in January 2006 and would recommend it as a great base to enjoy Candolim.

Rooms were cleaned every day, always fresh towels, mini-bar (v.cheap and restocked) and good room service. Staff always willing to help. We had a room overlooking the pool with separate lounge area and it was just what we wanted.

Breakfasts were not that great (if you wanted cereal or anything other than eggs and toast you had to pay) but there are so many paces to eat breakfast on the beach cheaply that it wasn't too much of a problem.

Location was a 5 minute walk to beach past many people selling things and there is a very pushy taxi rank right outside the hotel but there are worse locations to be in.

All in all, an ideal hotel to enjoy Goa from and would go back if visiting Candolim again.

Rooms owned by individuals and managed by hotel? Our room very big for two but very very grubby. The mattresses were like wood they were so hard.

Bun fight at breakfast.

Found hair in some Samosa's, no sorry from staff, still wanted me to pay?

Nicer hotels nearer beach.

Won't recommend this to any one.

We stayed at the Highland Beach and found the hotel to be clean and provided all the needs to assist our holiday. Bed and breakfast is adequate, the breakfast being toast, tea, coffee and any type of egg you can think of!

If you like a lay in do not bother with the breakast as it gets very busy with no where to sit and to be frank it is not worth the effort. Go to the main road turn right and use the Mango Grove for breakfast or lunch, cheap and clean (with flushing western type toilet!)There is a sign warning that the hotel does not recommend eating in places outside the hotel, well of course they would!

The bars resturants and shacks are all very safe to eat in, we had no problems at all. The hotel food is ok but you will get far better service and food quality on the main road and beach roads.

The hotel staff do tend to favour the big tippers as this is often noticable when you sit awaiting bar service and get left whilst they attend to their favoured customers, but this is not a big gripe from me as we only used the hotel as a base.

The hotel staff were there if you needed them but no more than that. I would use this hotel again as it suited our needs.

I have read a lot on HT.com regarding building works at this hotel. You will find that most of the hotels are making improvements to cater for the increased tourism. The HBR does have some building works going on, but all the heavy construction work in complete and therefore the only noise to be heard it at all is hand tools etc. So do not worry if you are contacted by your tour operators as it is not bad enough to to have any effect and spoil your holiday.

Towels and sheets old, thin, hard and discoloured.

Mattresses and pillows old and very hard. Older part of hotel past its sell by date.

I saw a rat in the pool area.

Breakfast was reasonable but not enough seating for all guests. Hotel was 15 minutes walk from beach, down an alley way.

Cleaning staff were ok Reception were disinterested and won't pass on messages or ring through and check if you are in your room.

Maintenance is poor we had problems with water heater 5 times and phone worked occasionally. Air conditioning not working on arrival, buy light bulbs locally as those supplied are too weak.

Take padlock for safe deposit box, do not use shop recommended by hotel as they over charge. No remote control for tv.