Radisson White Sands Resort. Varca.

This resort is accessed from a long and winding road, and that is probably the only reference to decent music you will find here.
The hotel on the other hand is really wonderful. The ratio of guest to staff member is very high, thus ensuring all your creature comforts are met, with a smile.
After driving through the large double gates manned by three security personnel (Well, labour costs are low) you arrive at the covered entrance, and greeted by a smart looking man in traditional costume of some sort.
The lobby is enormous, open on two sides, with a splendid water feature towards the back.
Check in was slow and this was probably due to our early arrival. We arrived about 10:00 after the 9 hour flight, and the usual immigration debacle. Because of connecting flights, we had been on the go for 22 hours and tired, so we didn

The Hotel is set back behind sand dunes on beautiful Varca beach.

The extensive grounds are a joy to walk around, there are two pools the free form with waterfall one of the best I have seen anywhere. Sunbeds are also placed on the lawns and there some hammocks.

The Staff are well schooled in knowing how to keep their guests happy.

I can,t comment on the rooms as we choose to stay in the Tents which are grouped in the sand dunes, almost on the beach with magnificent sea views. All mod cons are provided, huge bed, TV, mini bar, safe, and tea and coffee. The main area has A/C, but not the bathroom so it can get a bit hot in there during the day, the heated toilet seat is a laugh!. The large shower area is a joy, lots of room to dance around, good toiletries and hairdryer.

Outside you can relax on your own luxurious sunbeds, or use the comfy leather chairs.

Points that some might not like, very limited storage space, only a clothes rail and two drawers,you may hear the crows squarking in the morning, sometimes the neighbours can be noisy.

The Room Boy will never be able to get rid of all the sand that finds its way inside, and obviously you can't lock your door, but the area is patrolled day and night by security guards(discreetly).

No complaints about the Food, there is a good selection of International and Indian fare at Breakfast. Fruit is always being freshly prepared as are egg dishes pancakes and waffels.

There is an exellent Indian a la carte restaurant buffet restaurant with some theme evenings set outdoors. The Dhow by the beach serves freshly caught fish,seafood,goan dishes and sizzlers.

The Nuts bar has an A/C closed area and a balcony with outdoor seating. A good place for a sunset drink is the Rambooze boat bar.

As you would expect at a 4*plus hotel all areas are kept very clean and tidy, the restaurant and bar prices are higher than outside but ths is the same at all the 4/5* Hotels in Goa.

The evening entertainment is limited and in my opinion not worth staying in for.

There are just four shacks on the beach and I would recommend Glorias and the Glossant both have special firework evenings once a week. At the front of the Hotel turn left at Micheals Corner and along the lane are the Sun and Moon and Mischas both have good food.

There is no nightlife in Varca, for that you need to go to Colva or Cavelossim. So for anyone wanting a good Hotel, in a beautiful peaceful setting, with miles of unspoilt beaches to explore, this is for you. But if you want Bars, Nightlife,Shops, etc on the doorstep it's not a good choice.

I will continue to return as long as the Tents are available.

ps-- the Gravity Pool area with the bowling was closed in March.

2006 was our third stay. Inclusive is best if you have been to Goa before and just want to chill out by the pool or on the beach.

We have always found the staff to be very friendly and efficient. The rooms all seem to be clean and well looked after, best ones are the ones with a pool view.
There is a smaller pool to one side of the hotel as well as the main pool with a waterfall, probably one of the nicest pools in any Goan hotel and we've stayed in several.

Entertainment is mediocre due to the fact that people do not join in with many things during the day, they'd rather laze by the pool.

One big plus point for the hotel is an "open tour" of the inner workings which lets you go behind the scenes to watch how food is prepared & cooked, the system of orders, the working of the large laundry and even the Boilerhouse/air conditioning set up.
We have yet to find another hotel anywhere that actually "invites" you to check out the inner sanctums!

There are a few "shacks" just outside the hotel which do pretty good food if you're on a B&B package or do what others do and get a taxi (haggle the price a bit) and go elsewhere for a change.

All in all we think the Radisson is excellent!

This holiday cost about 1000 pounds per person what a waste!

1. money stolen from room by maid

2. made to wait 4 hours on check in no rooms overbooked

3. given a upgrade to a tent on the beach not good at all, big rip in the side got eaten alive by red ants within 2 hours

4.hotel staff beat stray dogs with sticks on the beach

5.hotel manager rude and unprofessional

6.food overpriced and awfull

7.too many russians push and shove at breakfast

8.no cheap way out of resort taxis have to pay hotel to pick you up ech taxi cost about 10 pound to go to local town. Had to walk about 2 miles to get local taxi from Varca which cost about 1 pound for same fare from hotel
too remote dont bother, if you want to see the real Goan charm!

This hotel is 4 years old and absolutely lovely. It does say 5 star, im not sure about that, but it is a great hotel in a great location.

The beach is wonderful and you can walk for miles. The hotel is only 2 storey so you may find yourself on the ground floor.

The staff are ok but not a friendly as some hotels in Goa that we have stayed in, but they where helpful when we needed them.

The rooms are quite big with own slippers and bath robes and lots of goodies. The pool is wonderful, however do get up early for sunbeds. The food and drink is expensive, but we used the beach shacks and the restaurants. Although they do have happy hours, buy one get one free but dont advertise they do very well so ask.

Used the hotel restaurant at breakfast, and usually got the night before's leftovers, eg liver, fishfingers!! Dont let that put you off as the shacks and restaurants outside the hotel are wonderful.

A short taxi ride to cavelossim is only 400 ruppees round trip and there are plenty more restaurants there. I would walk to the Mahindra and get a taxi from there though as they are cheaper.

The beauty centre is expensive though, and the staff told me a new manager put the prices up this year alot.
There are lots of activities and a 2 lane bowling alley.

All in all a great place to stay. Yes expensive, but It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.

Hotel was wonderful but don't look for seaview rooms as they do not exist. Some of the upstairs rooms have a distant partial seaview but there is a large sandbank between the hotel & the sea which obliterates most views. Do not pay extra for superior rooms with sea views as it is a waste of money. Most holiday companies (Thomsons in particular) have not done their homework properly and are still selling these. Our advice is to pay the small supplement for a pool view room but not to bother looking for a sea view.

Saying that, the staff, food & rooms are wonderful & make up for the lack of sea views.

What a fabulous Hotel the Raddisson White Sands resort is.

Was our first time to Goa and decided to stay in the quieter south and looked forward to a week of 5 star quality. Being a regular business traveller, I stay in some lovely hotels around the world, and the Raddisson did not dissappoint.

Set on two levels, the hotel offers patio rooms on the ground floor, many overlooking the pool separated by lush gardens. The upper floor gives you a nice balcony, all will good views.

The pool area is large and free formed.

Set a little way back from the beach, a short walk takes you through well maintained gardens to a beach restaurant and a bar called Dhow, both run by the hotel.

Rooms were very clean and were serviced every day and turned down beds awaited you on your return from a night out. Minibar was available and there was a great flat screen tv.

All staff were very friendly and attentitive.