For us it has been the second time within two months that we went to Ramada Caravela Beach Resort.

I have selected the hotel from the Thomas Cook catalogue because the meal there has been judged to be very positive. We found this confirmed and were surpassed in our expectations.

The quality of the different sideboards have been in best comparison with the sideboards of the leading hotels in Bombay and New Delhi . You can choice marvellous fishes in the beach restaurant and get them back in delicious preparation . All this and local drinks are included in the All Inclusive package. One lobster dinner also is included.

The rooms are well equipped and clean and a kind staff guarantees this status.

Only few german speaking guests you will find in the resort, some english speaking people are among the guests. Because I understand and I speak russian language for me it has not been a problem to get in contact with the majority of the guests - russian people from all over the gus states. sophia as russian guest relation representative did a great job for these guests as well as Karen for the english speaking community. ( nobody from the hotel staff speaks german, for us no serious problem ). Indian people understand and speak English. One feels like at home. Indian people in the resort is very communicative. Maybe therefore they dont like too much the russian people, because they cant find an open door for communication.

The Ramada Caravela, Goa, 5 star deluxe? Please, don't make me laugh! I would not rate this hotel much higher than a 2 star.

When booking our holiday we made it clear we wanted to stay in the best hotels, therefore when booking the Ramada Caravela we opted to upgrade to a superior room. Upon arrival to the hotel we got taken to our "superior" room which seemed to be at least 10 minutes walk away from the main reception. The door opened and I could not believe my eyes when I saw the "superior" room, it was disgraceful.

The decor was dull and dingy with awful mustard tiles on the floor but that was not the worst of it. There was an awful smell of damp that was claimed by management to be just a "not lived in" smell. Now, bearing in mind that November is one of Goa's busiest times of the year you would have expected someone to have stayed in the room within the previous 2 weeks would you not. I felt physically sick that I had spent all this money on what was meant to be a holiday of a lifetime and ended up in what could only be called a hell hole!

After sitting in the lobby for nearly 3 hours trying to get moved into another hotel we were told by a Kuoni rep that this would not be possible as all the hotels in South Goa were full. We got shown another room by the manager at the Ramada Caravela but were not told the status of this room as we had previously thought we had booked a superior room. The room was slightly better decorated but it still had the same "not lived in" smell, also known as damp due to the building being an old church. We got showered and made our way down to the Indian restaurant, where I could not stomach a thing after being so distraught and was actually sick.

The following morning, after a restless night, we went to sample the breakfast menu. It was buffet style complete with not only your regular food but flies, pigeons, crows and dogs with fleas accompanying you while you ate. Needless to say this was not a 5 star deluxe air conditioned restaurant but rather an open air room, free for all gods creatures to get in on the helpings of food!

The location of the hotel was stated in the brochure to be on the beach. You could not see the beach or sea anywhere from the hotel, you had to walk through a lengthy garden being watered by water that smelt as if it had come out of the sewers. By the time you did eventually reach the beach you got hounded by local women to buy items that looked like they had been stolen from their local shops.

The hotel staff did not argue or even raise an eye brow when I clearly said that this was not a 5 star hotel.

There was not a set uniform across all the staff and some had the most revolting flowery shirts on.

The entertainment provided in the evenings was unprofessional. I did not go to see any of the performances however after listening to the noise that was very wise decision as most of the singers sounded like they had got stomach ache!

I would definitely never visit this hotel again, would not recommend it to anybody and been totally put off Goa by this experience. To all those considering Goa, forget it, you could find those beaches in many other tropical countries.

If you want a true taste of India go to the North, especially Jaipur, it is spectacular!

We set off to Goa on Saturday from Manchester. As this was the first time we had been to Asia we were a little worried about what we would find there.

I will just say about the airport, that apart from the actual airport and getting the bags from the very disorganised conveyor belt, we emerged into the sun, to find we where surrounded by an army of men in brown

Upon arrival at the huge entrance to the reception, you are met with a certain warmth and slowness of pace. After working for 11 months at a frantic pace - which is the normal way of life nowadays - it was pleasant to be reminded of how to relax and enjoy life again.

The choice of food within the many eating places within the resort was astounding, and as we were there for 3 weeks, very rewarding. Should there have been a day that I required something different, then just a quite word with the chef, and hey presto, it was delivered. Of course, sometimes, if the raw ingredients are not available then you will not get what you want.

Hotel cleanliness for this part of the world was excellent, from dawn to dusk and beyond, there was always someone cleaning.

The location of the Hotel set back from the beach was a big positive, as a stroll through the gardens and the 9 hole golf course was just what you needed to fill your dream holiday.

Apart from the usual evening entertainment, once a week, the hotel would put on a theme party evening, with barbeque on the beach and first class entertainment.

All in all, so long as you are not a millionaire expecting that sort of service, then this resort is a must.

I am looking forward to this years 4 weeks there.