Village Royal Hotel

8 readers found this review helpful

My new husband and I have been to this hotel 2 years running. He actually went without me the year before that - but we had only just met.After only 1 day, he missed me so much that he got an early flight home - on Valentines day!But vowed to take me there the following year. That was in 2007, when at the end of our holiday, he proposed to me with a ring that was made at the hotel - with 5 diamonds because we met, aparantly, on the 5th!
We loved it so much that we booked up for the following year also. We took all our old gold with us, and got our jeweller to melt all of our lives together and design our wedding rings! I also bought several made to measure dresses from Salou, one of which I have just worn to our wedding, in Sri Lanka, in April 09! We want to return next year as Mr and Mrs O''Brien to conclude our love story.
Fantastic place. Its Goa!

16 readers found this review helpful

I went to Goa in Jan 2009 with no expectations of standards/hygiene generally, and I was aware that there had been some negative reviews regarding the Village Royal.
I found the rooms basic and clean, and if I needed anything I just asked Paresh the 'room boy' (a term which I find derogatory but thats just me). Nothing was too much trouble. The key to addressing any issues or concerns you have regarding service, room, or otherwise is to tell someone. If you sit whinging to other whinging chain-smoking Brits in the restaurant or bar nothing will change. You only need to speak to staff at reception and they are so helpful and friendly. If I was to find fault with the Village Royal it would be there are no bedside lights!! But hey, I managed without!!
I had such a great time in Goa I booked to go back again Jan 2010!!
The weather was fab, people were friendly, food brill and Public bar was a great meeting point. So go to Goa, enjoy yourself, get oyt and about on a bus, taxi or bike and dont forget, if you want something - just ask.
anthonylgregory@yahoo.co.uk

14 readers found this review helpful

we returned from the village royal yesterday dont listen to the bad reviews this hotel was brilliant if u like to think ur posh dont go to goa stay at home the hotel is very clean everything u need for ur stay its basic but excellent the staff are very friendly and will do anything for you . i will be returning with my family next yr to the village royal i cant believe how people give this hotel bad reviews wat u hav to rember is tht goa is the 3rd world not luxury the beaches are brilliant baga beach is about the best beach to go to the food at the hotel is excellent if your going to do day trips its best to do them by taxi as its a lot cheaper than excursions plus the taxi driver will wait for you while your on your day trip there is only about 2 nights of entertainment on at the hotel but the town is always busy and only costs 70 rupees always bargain with the prices with taxis and the sellers in the town and on the beach offer the sellers half wat they say if they say no walk away they will soon follow u for the price tht u sed day trips id advise is the crocodile dundee and spice plantation as they are well worth the money oh one last thing take a torch as there is a lot of power cuts we had 8 in the first week but there only off for about 10 - 20 minutes the holiday at this hotel would be ten out of ten if u want a experience of a life time go to goa oh nearly forgot go to antonios on baga beach its the shack with the eyes cant miss it the food is excellent and very fresh your well looked after there and feel very welcomed ..... marie and jake westmidlands

13 readers found this review helpful

This is my second time at village royale...and all I can say is do not beleive the bad reviews thes are obviously written by people who should just stay in the UK......the rooms are very basic but clean and sheet sand towels replaced every two days but you can get them every day if you ask at no extra cost ....the staff are very friendly and go out of there way to accomodate you...it is a bit away from the beach but at £1.00 for a taxi or a free shuttle from he hotel it's better as you do not get the noise at night....the food is fantastic and is very reasonable...I will be back

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7 readers found this review helpful

we stayed at the village royal in january 09 and was dreading it after reading some bad reviews.
we got there and it wasnt half as bad as we expected...rooms were basic....there was 2 beds, hot water, a working loo and a fridge....what more do ya want
the pool was clean(not a bit of thrush in sight) and the food was great.
the waiters didnt hassle you to buy every 5mins which was good but they would get you anything if you asked.
there was karaoke on 1 night and goan dancers on another night but apart from that the entertainment was just a tele showing films
it was about a 5-10 min walk into the centre but if your lazy like like my hubby then there are plenty of taxis outside for 70 rupees
we even met a few stars there...ronan keating, louis armstrong, amy winehouse and mark ronson to name a few....OHHHH NOOOO my hubby just told me that was the kareoke....lol....i couldnt even tell the difference...lol
we had a great time and would come back to this hotel although we are looking for somewhere a little nearer in the centre for our next hol
dont let the reviews put you off......its not as bad as people say
if you go there expecting the ritz then you will be disapointed but if you go with the intention of just chilling then you will have a great time
angie and frank xxx

6 readers found this review helpful

My husband and myself have just returned from a 2 week holiday in Goa at The Village Royal in Calangute. We went with open minds after reading damning reports about the hotel. Don't believe all you read! Yes the hotel is basic but the room was cleaned every day, the pool was cleaned every day and used by many holiday makers including us, the food is very good and as reasonably priced as the beach shacks. The staff were very polite and helpful. The hotel is situated out of Calangute itself but taxis are plentiful and cheap and theres a daily courtesy bus. The only downside was the evening entertainment(2 night per week only). We were satisfied and used it as a base to see this amazing place and we hope to go back next year.

8 readers found this review helpful

after reading terrible reviews,this was our first visit so we were very worried about the place,but on arrival we found are worries were unneccessary.the staff were excellent,rooms basic but clean and cleaned every 2 days without fail,food ws good in restaurant,pool cleaned every day and was a pleasure to sit around.£1.40 in taxi to town.overall a good place to stay and will go again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Whilst the property is described as 2*, which would suggest a basic standard of accommodation, the property should be clean, well maintained and fit for its purpose. Unfortunately, on arrival, I found this not to be the case.
Below is a list of the problems that i encountered:
1. The room was Filthy…The grime made me feel physically sick...waste toilet tissue (used) was left around the room and between the bed sheets,(the bed sheets contained sand) the dirty bedding was damp, torn and stained.
2. There was broken glass left on the bathroom floor. The bathroom sink and bathroom area was filthy and had no running water.
3. The patio doors situated in the room opened out on to the back of a brick wall, overlooking the wall was a piece of disused waste land (in which was the only window in the room) these doors wouldn’t securely lock (I had tie a sarong around the handles for security) .The curtains had mould growths on them ,they were stained, ripped and didn‘t offer any privacy.
4. During the early hours of the morning a local mature male tried to enter the room through the patio doors situated at the back of the building, the doors weren’t securely fixed. I left the room in a distressed state to seek help and assistance from the security (who I couldn’t find).I spent the rest of the night awake, upset and distressed sat on the stairwell to the block.5. There was major building work in progress on the complex/site, (next to my room).This information wasn’t passed to me when booking this accommodation.
6. There was a serious problem with the electrics in the room, the lights kept tripping and the fuse box made noises once any lights where switched on, the fan also seemed to add to this problem.
7. It is recorded that the accommodation is 2 klm from the beech, this is not the case. It was confirmed to me By a local taxi driver that it is nearly 4 klm, across dirt tracks and unnamed roads, I’m sure you’ll agree that this isn’t suitable for a lone female traveller.
8. The Swimming pool was filthy with brown/green stains at the bottom and around the sides of the pool., other tourists had stated to me that there was a high number of sicknesses due to this in which has resulted in some family members being hospitalised.

Given the above stated and being an experience single female traveller, I decided that I would not be able to stay at the accommodation and sought the assistance of the representative; in which I was then informed that it was my representative’s day off.
When I approached the reception I reiterated all my concerns around the condition of the room and reported that a male had tried to break into the room during the early hours.
I informed reception that I could no longer reside at the accommodation following that i left a letter of complaint and requested that my representative contact me urgently to arrange alternative accommodation., the reception informed me that they couldn’t assist me any further.
Well ive heard.... if you cant do the time then dont commit the crime,
well i paid £519 of my hard earned money ....... TO BE BANGED UP ABROAD...
I CHECKED IN, AND ....THEN CHECKED OUT...
India is a fantastic, beautiful place.... The people too.....
JUST KEEP AWAY FROM (BANGED UP ABROAD - VILLAGE ROYAL HOTEL..

4 readers found this review helpful

To anyone who is travelling to the Village Royale in Goa and worried because of the negative reviews, DON'T BE!!! Myself and my husband have just returned from a wonderful holiday and stayed two weeks in the Village Royale. I was anxious after reading some of the terrible reviews before we left, however found the hotel to be nothing like it had been portrayed. If I was ever tyravelling to Goa again I would definatly want to stay there! We also met couples who go to Goa year after year and would not stay anywhere else. They even prefer the Village Royale to 5 star hotels as the atmosphere is lively and friendly, and the service is first class. The rooms are basic, but clean and tidy. The pool area is lovely and the food in the restaurant was one of the best places we ate for the two weeks. Each night they have different food menu's and provide entertainment. How many two star hotels in the UK would do that? The waiters and staff at the hotel are very attentive and friendly. I honestly have no complaints about anything to do with the Village Royale, and am angry at the bad press it has recieved in the reviews. A two week stay at the village royale cost just over one humdred pounds. Im amazed that British people book two star acommodation in a third world country then complain because its not up to the same standard as home! As regards to some people in their reviews complaining about the staff. The only people we witnessed being rude were the abnoxious, drunken, English tourists verbally abusing the locals. India is an amazing country and if you are there to experience and learn about the culture, then it won't matter that the hotel may need a touch up of paint in places. If this is the kind of thing that would ruin your holiday then go to Spain instead. Ps - Just a little tip if this is your first time travelling in Goa. When the beach sellers ask if it is your first time here tell them that you come all the time to Goa!! You will get things a lot cheaper and won't get hassled as much.

1 reader found this review helpful

I have just returned home from what I consider hell on earth, yes the Village Royal. I understood and expected basic accommodation, not the filth and squalor that awaited. From the stairwell to the rooms the smell and dirt was everywhere.The room contained dirty sheets, ripped, torn and stained, a lack of clean SAFE storage space was nowhere to be seen. We were forced to make do with one lob-sided rickety wardrobe. The filthy sinks fitted perfectly in with the shower and I only took showers or entered the bathroom in shoes! Yes I took showers in my shoes. I slept on towels the nights we could actually bring ourselves to stay in the room. While on holiday I also had to do any cleaning that took place in the room. The grime made me feel physically sick.
The staff were a mixed bag, the reception was OK and friendly when they could actually take their eyes off the 13yr old girl who stayed at the hotel. The waiters left you waiting for an age, waiting for 45 minutes one day for cereal was rather frustrating. Staying at The Royal will cost you at least double! Renting alternative accommodation and spending every possible minute away from the place will cost a lot more than you expect.
To be perfectly honest I don't believe the Village Royal is even fit to be a Third World prison. It was such a shame what would of been an amazing holiday, with the friendly people, interesting culture and beautiful scenery was spoilt by this small part of Baghdad. I will definitely return to Goa, its incredible. The Village Royal, certainly not.