The Silver Sands Hideaway is a pretty little hotel, painted white, nicely lit and set back from the road so is very peaceful at night. Check in was fast, and we were shown to our spacious and airy room (106). It was decorated tastefully though the finish in some places was a little scruffy but I am being picky here. The room was at the end of the corridor so was quiet at night. We had all the creature comforts that would be expected from a much nicer hotel. Lifesaving air-conditioning and ceiling fan, a safe, large flat screen TV with a fair few English language channels, huge bed, a fridge, black-out curtains, decent furniture with lots of storage space and two sets of French doors which could be fully opened. The only negatives were the shower, which never gave more than a couple of minutes of hot water. We told the staff and someone came up but it didn’t improve so we learned to live with it. The other was the view from the balcony, an alley and the side of some houses - but this didn’t stop us relaxing out there almost every night.

However, one thing happened which made me think we’d chosen the wrong place. As Rebecca was having her first shower, while I was watching ESPN, a cockroach emerged from the drain by her feet. Cue much screaming and shouting from her as it ran around the bathroom and much tutting from me as it interrupted the football. The roach was soon dispatched and we didn’t see another until the very last day. Though we did invest in a large can of roach killing spray which remained un-opened.

The staff were friendly and couldn’t be faulted. They were more than happy to help us with anything we asked though I wouldn't class us as demanding guests. One incident of note, when first in the room and about to have showers there were no towels. Rebecca rang reception and someone was there almost straight away. He double checked and his face fell when he saw they were missing and the poor man actually ran to get us some! There was also a polite and friendly security guard on duty at night.

The reception will change money, at a slightly lower rate than elsewhere, which was handy for us Goa newbies until we got our bearings. They gave 75 rupees to the pound, elsewhere we got 81. Like I said convenient when heading out for the first time ever. We only used them twice and in total changed £50.

The pool area is quite small. To be honest we didn’t use it much as I prefer the beach and a bit of life. Plus it got pretty hot (maybe even too hot) due to it being enclosed and a lack of breeze, although there is plenty of shade. The pool itself is quite deep and refreshingly cold. Good quality sun beds too, not those nasty white plastic ones.

The Indian Elephant in the room was breakfast. It was omelettes, fried eggs, fruit and toast. The same every morning though usually they didn’t have one or more of the above. The coffee was ok but apparently the tea wasn’t. This made breakfast a little bit of a chore but as there are so many good cheap places in walking distance it didn’t bother us too much. Because of the excellent choice of eateries elsewhere we only eat one meal/snack there which was ok.

So out of ten I’d give the Silver Sands Hideaway an eight. I’d recommend it to anyone, especially if it’s their first visit to Goa. I’d definitely stay there again but just wish they’d sort the breccy out.

New hotel up the side of the market opposite the football field, it had only just opened, so was noisy and disorganised, the food was minimal as only served snacks at this time, breakfast is 2 toast and tea or coffee with a piece of butter, anything else, like a piece of extra butter is charged for, which was disappointing.

The location is in a local India area, but we felt quite safe walking up the road to the hotel.
The staff were new to the job and so it was a little like faulty towers, but I think that will soon improve with time.

The rooms are all new, so at the moment it is a really nice hotel, pool is small and gets little sun, but the rooms are good, with safe and TV and a small fridge, also air con and a fan, there is no entertainment as it is only a small hotel with just a poolside bar, if you like small and quite then this hotel will suit you, and being new is a bonus as its all shiny new at the moment.