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Holiday Reviews > Indian Ocean > India
> Goa > Arpora > Arpora Hotels > Marinha Dourada Hotel > Read Reviews
Marinha Dourada Hotel Reviews
| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr B Brooke |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
been to the md for the last 7 years just cant go anywhare else just paradise the hotel is fantastic the management and staff are very helpfull the food in the resteraunt is good the one resteraunt we used last year was recomended to us its called all spice the food is fantastic recomend to anyone just up the road is a little shop with tables and chairs outside its called anans the beer is ice cold drinks are so cheap the best beach shack is in baga its called the lucky star the sea food is fantastic and all the boys who work there are good at there job peter is the boss and he cant do enough for you going back to the md anybody got any tips to catch big snapper were on are way back the 7th april cant wait
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
andpa |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
First time we had been to Goa but were told by lots of people that we would love it, we were not dissapointed. We had a wonderful time, the people the place and the hotel were realy nice. I would recommend Goa to anybody wanting a peacefull holiday but wouldn't recommend taking the kids if they are young as there is not a lot for them to do. The hotel Marinah dorada is a large complex with two lakes and two pools, the lakes are full of fish which you can fish if you have your own gear (there are some big fish in there so take heavy ish gear).
The hotel is rated as a four star but I would say it is more a three. The rooms are kept spotless and the maid comes in daily. The food in the resteraunt is good and reasonable, however we went B&B and my only complaint was the breakfast was lousey, choice of boiled eggs, beans, cereal or porridge (I think).
The staff are very friendly and curtious and are always willing to help.
The hotel supplies free towels which you can keep as long as you want, and use to take to the beach. The grounds are beautiful and kept immaculate.
We went at the end of the season, early April and the place was very quiet (perfect).
We are already planning returning at the end of the year, can't wait
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
bigbuy |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
stayed at the the MD first fortnight in April. Although the hotel is basic and a bit dated the staff are very friendly, the place is clean and the food in the restaurant is very good. however, be warned the breakfasts aren't great and are not everything is included in your package holiday, some items like fruit are charged for. there is a really good tailors on site and a jewellers, we bought from both and were delighted with our goods.
you can try out fishing in the lakes as the reception let you rent rods etc when there. plenty of sunbeds around the pools and free towels to use also which is a bonus. however they do not use parasols but have these clip on blinds. not very good, parasol def would be better.
weather was perfect infact at times it was too hot and very humid. we were out everynight and the food is fantastic some of the restaurants we tried and would recommend are: Aubergine (at end of road from hotel), All Spice (round corner from aubergine), East meets West (Baga), Kim Faa's (Baga), Jamies (Baga), Big Banana Beach Shack (fab seafood on Baga Beach) and of course the hotel restuarant Veranda.
Places we tried but should be avoided at all costs are: Mojo's (rightoutside hotel)and The Chippy (calangute). in general food is great even the stuff on the roadside vendors and in the markets. The markets are an experience in themselves, there is a local one next to hotel on a Saturday and you also have the big hippy one called Ingo's which isn't far in a taxi. again there is a wednesday one in angim.
you can't spend your money here everything is very cheap and and very good. would definately recommend Goa especially this part and would highly recommend this hotel as it is situated perfectly for all those wanting to roam the area.
can't wait to go back again.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
iaintwoeyes |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
Comments:
 71 Photos |
Arrival - We were met with a cool drink at reception and the usual form filling before being walked the miles to our room, which was number 259, at the far end of the new annexe.
The room - Prior to our arrival we had been warned of the building works behind the MD. Although they are quite extensive, they are not intrusive in anyway at all. Our room was on the top floor and I did feel sorry for the porter carrying our two heavy cases to the top of the stairs! The room was quite basic but comfortable. Two single beds along with a chest of drawers and a large wardrobe. There was also two tables and a small dresser unit with a mirror above. The bathroom consisted of a small unit above the sink with a small mirror. The shower was one of these huge walk in ones with a powerful jet spray. The bathroom had an open meshed window that you couldn't close. Because of this we always closed the bathroom door to help keep the bedroom cool with the air-conditioning. There was also a TV in the room but we never switched it on. The room was cleaned most days and the towels changed every other day. The room also has a mini-bar which is very good value. From what I can remember, a bottle of water was about 25p, a bottle of beer about 75p and a Bacardi Breezer about 65p. With our room being on the top floor we had a lovely view across the lakes and the valley. The dawn chorus was amazing and I loved to get up early just to listen to them.
Food - Breakfast consisted of tea/coffee and then really whatever you wanted. Juices, cereals, usual eggs, boiled, fried, scrambled or omelette's. Various types of bread that can be toasted. You could order bacon but we never did after reading about piggy loos! Tip....there are two lots of buffet set out, exactly the same. Nearly everyone uses the first lot of buffet tables as they are by the entrance. The queue for the toaster can be huge. Move down to the second lot of buffet tables where exactly the same food is offered but it is much quieter. We only had lunch once at the hotel. We ate on the veranda and found it to be OK. Quite a bit more expensive than the shacks but then I would expect that. The hotel puts on various themed nights /gala dinners at night. Although a number of people did take advantage of these, we always ate out. The bars also have "snack" menus and we did eat from this menu once or twice. It was quite good and reasonably priced.
Drinks - The drinks at the hotel are all good value compared to the UK. But be warned, it's easy to run up a big bar bill over a two week period. The bar staff are brilliant, especially Sachin. The Agor bar, the one nearest reception (at the bottom of the ramp) is open from 11am until midnight. But the bar over the ramp and by the new annexe remains open until 2am. There is a third bar across the far side of the lakes but we never used it although there was always a discount available to entice people to use it.
Fishing - I don't fish myself but was surprised to see a number of guests always by the side of the lake fishing. The lakes are sal****er and so hold a good variety of decent sized fish.
Anything Else - You can get big towels suitable for the beach from the Health Club. You sign for them against your room number and return them when your finished with them. We tended to swop them every two days. This a free service but you're not supposed to take them off the hotel complex, but everyone does!
There are safety deposit boxes available for you to hire at reception, They cost 250rps per week and so about £6 for the two week holiday. They are very safe as you hold one key and reception hold the other. The boxes cannot be opened without both. However there is a charge of about £45 for lost keys!!!
There is a computer with Internet access in the reception area which is chargeable.
The in-house Taylor is brilliant. I looked at suits in Calangute and then the Taylor at the MD. The finished quality at the MD is far far better although more expensive. But well worth paying the extra for. I got two made-to-measure wool/cashmere suits with lined trousers and a Hugo Boss label in for £120!!!
Summary....3-star hotel but should be much higher and I am looking to book to go back to the MD next Easter. That says it all really.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2008 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs M Richardson |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
Hotel was very clean to a high standard, bed linen and towels changed regular, room was spacious with adequate storage space and had a lovely view of the lake. Only ate breakfast a couple of times as not up too much. Found Lilias Cafe on the way to Baga Beach, German run cafe very clean and serve great breakfasts, from omelettes to home made croissantes, fresh fruit milkshakes and hot milky coffees.
In the main resort heading to the beach, taxi is a 100 rupies or get the hotel shuttle which is free. We went eveyday to The Oceanic Beach Shack, this was on recommendation from a relative who had been 5 times. Free sunbeds if you use the facilities, the lads are great, ask for Sacinder, Alkeish and Sam. Nothing was too much trouble for these fantastic guys who serve you all day and night if you stay like we did some days, good food and chilled drinks. This shack has a proper toilet which is quite rare on the beach which is cleaned regular and always has loo roll in and a sink outside to wash your hands.
We enjoyed the Pickled Parrot for breakfast and evening meal on occasions and the entertainment "Our Fred" this is english run bar if you need reminding of home.
Aphrodieties restaurant in the resort is recommended and for beautiful jewelery visit John at Ladakh handicrafts, you wont be disappointed.
My husband had 2 suits made whilst on holiday so we highly recommend "Desainer" Specialist Suit Maker near the Riverside Regency Resort, a cashmere and wool suit for £80.00 each made to measure in only 2 days, excellent value and he was such a nice guy, again nothing was too much trouble for him and we were well pleased with them.
We loved Goa and cant wait to return again next year, it was the best holiday we have had, very relaxing, great weather and impecable service, and they are great people to be around. Go with an open mind and inbrace this beautiful country.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Virago 750 |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
The Hotel was very clean and tidy. The grounds around the hotel were immaculate.
The food was very good. I have read some reviews that said that breakfast was not very good and I have to disagree. There was plenty of food, tea, coffee, toast, porridge, scrambled eggs, baked beans, fresh juice, boiled eggs, omelettes all included.
The staff were all very helpful and very polite and friendly.
The rooms were clean and tidy and we had no problems with the hot water supply. We had fresh towels daily and were also able to pick up extra towels to take to the beach or use around the pool.
We used the same taxi driver for all of our trips - we booked him for the next trip out whenever he dropped us off at the hotel and he was brilliant!
We made use of the health club at the hotel and had a couple of full body massages, pedicures and manicures and my husband had a couple of shaves. All very professional and very pleasant.
My husband enjoyed the fishing and managed to catch a couple of fish!
We flew with First Choice and although the on board entertainment was not working on the outbound flight - it did work on the homebound flight - we would use them again. The flights were on time and the plane was reasonably comfortable.
We had a wonderful holiday and we will be going back to Goa again and we will be staying at the Marinha Dourada.
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| Board Basis: |
Self Catering |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Miss L Quick |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
We have been going to Goa since 2000, and stayed in many different resorts and hotels.
The Marinha Dourada is by far the best hotel we have stayed in. The views over the lakes are lovely and watching the fish splash about are great. The hotel is very quiet and you will have to get taxis to Baga, (there is a free mini bus that takes you to the beach) but the advantage is at night there is no traffic noise and the taxis are so cheap. We ate in the hotel twice both times the food was great, the staff were very helpful, and the rooms cleaned daily. The rooms are nicely decorated with mini bar, (cheap drinks).
BEACH:
On Baga beach they are loads of beach shacks, in 7 years I tried nearly all of them, the best staff and food by far is the Shining Star they have going for 21 years, the taxi cost 100 rupees. Ask for Ruj or Reedy they will make your holiday and their knowledge is very helpful. On a Monday they have BBQ, the fresh fish is brought up by the fishing men in the morning and you can choose your dinner for that night. We had crab and the kingfish (white meat fish) they bone it and cook it in front of you on the beach.
TRIPS:
On a Wednesday outside the shack you can catch a boat to the Anjuna market (it is a must). It costs 100 rupees and must nicer than getting a taxi. When we go I go shopping and just leave the other half in the beach bar that has a live band playing.
On Saturday there are two night markets Mackey market which you can walk to from the hotel as it is located across the road. Indgio Market which I prefer it is an amazing market, there are food stalls from all over the world, live entertainment which is brought to you by all the old hippies still living there and travellers from all the over the world who just happen to be there at same time you are there. Locals, hippies and stall holders came from all over the sell anything from bedspread to spices.
In the north there is a place call Riva you can get a taxi up there and stay in little bamboo tents and have a beach to yourself. (Take a book and really get away from it all).
RESTAURANT:
Stonehouse, Spice, East meets West, (and a must) Fiesta in my option one of the best places I have eaten in the world. To be far I have never had a bad meal.
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
Do not take loads of clothes as were will not wear them, it is not that sort of place there you can dress up, GIRLS do not take heels as the roads are not great, it is very layed back kind of place.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Nov 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr K Wilks |
| Overall
Rating: |
8/10 |
| Comments: |
This was my first time in Goa and I fell in love with the place. It seems like everyone quickly falls for her charm. Many of the other holidaymakers in the Marinha Dourada return year after year. I felt like the only person not to have discovered this beautiful little secret.
The wonderful comments written by other reviewers are all true so here are my Goa tips.
Getting There:
It's a 10 hour flight to Goa. I travelled with Thomsonfly who provide individual seat back TV and entertainment systems that can be upgraded for a fiver and all seats have extra legroom. Monarch and First Choice also provide flights but other guests commented on the lack of basic entertainment facilities on these flights with the Monarch flight receiving particularly poor feedback despite the holiday prices being similar.
Accommodation:
The Marinha Dourada is a beautiful hotel and everything is done to a high standard. It was by far the nicest hotel that I saw in North Goa. Be aware that there is another hotel being built directly behind it and it is not due to be completed until late 2008 (at the earliest). There is some noise issues due to this but the workers generally did not start work until 9am. There was no machinery or power tools (just hand tools) on site whilst I was there so the noise is not as intrusive as it could have been. The peace and quiet returns when you leave your room walk the short distance to the pool. This had little adverse impact on my holiday.
Eating Out:
My favourite restaurant is Chef Soumyen's Kitchen on Luis Marino Gomes Road, Calangute. Soumyen previously worked on a cruise liner and was trained by a well known celebrity chef (his name eludes me, typical!). A 3 course meal with drinks costs about 800 rupees per person (about a tenner). I have paid over £30 each for a similar standard of meal in the UK.
East Meets West is my partner’s favourite. The food is of a similar standard and price to Soumyen's but daily entertainment is included making it a livelier place
Other places to try are All Spice (Arpora), Mojo's (English food and situated opposite the hotel) and Dave's Place (Calangute - 3 courses and a lot more drink than Soumyen's for 300 rupees (under £4) fantastic!!).
Don't expect washrooms and toilets at the smaller diners. The WC is quite often behind a bush at back of the establishment. Soumyen's and East Meets West do have suitable facilities.
Bargains:
A good tip for the girls (and lads!). Find the magazine or catalogue photo of the designer outfit you always wanted and take it to one of the Goan tailors. They will measure you and recreate the piece made-to-measure for a fraction of the price. The more experienced Goan tourists would arrive with the bare minimum of clothing in their cases and return home with tailor made suits and dresses costing £20-£30. Designer labels at Primark prices!
My best tip would be to speak to people at your resort who have been here before and enjoy the hospitality.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Nov 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Airtours |
| Submitted
By: |
Mickeyboy |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
Good hotel in quiet area, staff very good, rooms basic but clean. Courtesy bus to Baga beach every hour which takes 10 minutes each way - enjoy.
Baga is very lively and good food can be found cheaply. All the beach shacks do cater for food with some being better than others.
Calangute is only a short taxi ride away and is well worth a visit at night, daytime is too hot.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Apr 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Jewel In The Crown |
| Submitted
By: |
phil1812 |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
It was our first visit to India and what a delight the hotel was. Whilst we had significant delays with the airline going and coming back the rest was a wonderful experience.
Although the hotel is rated as a three star it is undoubtedly better than its rating. The staff at this hotel cannot do enough for you, they are utterly pleasant and always offer you the time of day with a smile and a hello.
The rooms are well maintained and have air-conditioning. There are the odd power failures in the area but the hotel has a backup system which soon cuts in.
There is a newer part of the building but we stayed in the older part overlooking the lagoon and salt pans. It was lovely sat on the balcony watching the sun go down with a cold beer from the refrigerated drinks cabinet in the room.
The hotel has a lovely swimming pool and outdoor restaurant.
The hotel is situated on the outskirts of Baga. The hotel offers its own shuttle bus to and from Baga Beach on the hour between 9.00am and 6.00pm which is free. Just outside the hotel there is a taxi stand which has about 20 taxis waiting for the sole use of hotel guests.
A trip to Baga is between 80-150 Rupees depending on whether its day or night time but it’s always best to ask the price before you start the journey. There were three excellent drivers we met, Sandy; DK & Bharat.
Sandy took us on a day trip to the waterfalls and the spice farm and was exceedingly reasonable and about half the price of a tour operators price.
There are excellent places to eat too. Try All Spice which is a short ride away where an excellent curry is about 80 Rupees less than £1!
Or during the day the beach shacks where you get drinks brought to your sun lounger all day as well as snacks don’t cost you more than £15 for the day for a couple, you just can’t beat this holiday for value.
I would have no hesitation recommending the resort or the hotel to anyone.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Portland Direct |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs Cheryl Tweedie |
| Overall
Rating: |
10/10 |
| Comments: |
It was our second time to Goa but first to the Marinha Dourada and it was great.
The setting on the lakes and the views of the sunset, the eagles circling above and the very friendly staff make this the best place to stay in Goa.
The taxi drivers outside the hotel are very friendly and will give you any information or advise even if you don’t want a taxi, so don’t be afraid to ask and we would recommend using them for trips as you get more info and better service at half the price.
As for eating out All Spice is a must but always very busy, so be patient and East meets West is good too, just watch for the falling mangos.
Baga and Calangute beaches are good but if its paradise you want again use the taxis and try Turtle beach Ashvem beach or Coco beach, where a trip to see the dolphins is a must and we saw loads.
We will be there again in March can’t wait.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2007 |
| Tour
Operator: |
First Choice |
| Submitted
By: |
Mrs K Thomas-brander |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
This was our second consecutive year to Goa, we absolutely love it there, and this was the best hotel that we have stayed in. My parents came with us this year and they too were thrilled with the hotel.
The hotel is kept immaculately clean and tidy, and all the staff are so friendly, nothing is too much bother. The reception team are fab and I managed to arrange for them to leave a big bouquet of flowers in our room on the morning of my partner’s birthday whilst we were having breakfast! It was a great surprise and very cheap.
Food, although the breakfast selection was good, we would have preferred to have the choice of a Goan style too.
If anyone gets the chance to visit, or you are taking any clothes, pens, books etc. to hand out to the children of Goa, then Mango House is a great place to go. "Children Walking Tall” is a uk-based children’s charity, working to improve the lives of the street children in Goa. Robert, an English guy, runs mango house along with volunteers and they are always grateful of any kind of donations that people can give. They have a visitor session most days but for more information log on to www.childrenwalkingtall.co.uk.
We had a great time here and we would definitely recommend this hotel, and we have already booked for 08!
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Jan 2006 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
wfcmoog |
| Overall
Rating: |
7/10 |
| Comments: |
Agree with the other positive views about this hotel. The place is clean, well kept and with friendly, helpful staff. It's a bit out of the way, but with taxis costing thruppence ha'penny, you can get anywhere easy enough, and befriending a helpful taxi driver is one of the highlights of visiting (our first taxi driver invited us to stay with him for free on future holidays after about half an hour of knowing us).
Book all trips with your driver, not tour operator and save a packet. Plus you'll probably make a friend for life. We went to the waterfall, spice plantation and most memorably, the crocodile tour. Jake the Snake takes you on board his boat for a trip down river with his crew. We were not sure whether we'd see any crocs or not, then stopped as what appeared to be a stuffed reptile was pointed to in the bushes. We all peered over the side and I thought we were being ripped off with some tourist scam and that it was just a model or something. Jake leaped off the boat, pulled back the bushes obscuring a clear view of the 4m+ and started telling us to take pics as it hissed and thrashed into the water! Amazing. From then on we saw several more massive sal****er beasts, and marvelled at the fishing folk fearlessly laying nets and paddling their tiny coracles through the water.
A memorable trip, spoiled only by the fact that we lost our camera on the last but one night, so will have to return to take pics!
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Dec 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomson |
| Submitted
By: |
TYKE |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
We have been going to the Marinha Dourada since 1996 and we have never made a complaint in all this time. Fantastic friendly staff , nothing too much trouble , rooms fairly basic but spotlessly clean, food very good and the views are really fantastic. Free shuttle bus to Baga Beach or you can have a slow walk to the beach which takes about 20-25 minutes.
Wake up on a morning to the sound of the bread delivery man on his pedal cycle , watch the ox carts going past and the king fishers and other birds flying past.
Sit on your balcony and watch the beautiful sunsets , before visiting the many local "beach shacks " if you fancy some where different to eat and visit the Saturday Night Bazaar next door to the hotel.
This hotel is one of the more quiet ones in North Goa and if you like a nice quiet relaxing holiday then it's for you.
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| Board Basis: |
Bed & Breakfast |
| Date of
Holiday: |
Mar 2004 |
| Tour
Operator: |
Thomas Cook |
| Submitted
By: |
Mr C&J Almond |
| Overall
Rating: |
9/10 |
| Comments: |
This is the second time we have stayed at the Marinha.
When we first went to Goa we went with family who had been many times. When we traveled to the hotel from the airport I wondered where they had brought us to & my brother in law told me to close my eyes as they drive like mad on the roads. We saw a lot of deprived areas & we did get a little worried. As soon as we got to the hotel all worries went & we got a lovely surprise, the hotel is lovely & extremely clean.
The reception staff greeted us & made our arrival pleasant. We had our luggage taken to our rooms for us and shown where everything was.
The rooms are basic but very clean & spacious, double bed, TV, telephone, then a shower room with toilet & sink, we also had like a kitchen area with a fridge & sink. The fridge is full of beer & soft drinks & you pay for what you use when you leave.
The rooms were cleaned daily & beds made & bedding changed once or twice a week & fresh towels were left.
You can get a safe deposit box which is in the reception area, you get a key to open it & reception have an other key, both keys need to be used together to open the safe so we felt our passports & money were very safe in there as someone is on reception 24 hours.
The pool area is very relaxing & breakfast is served near the pool.
We found there was plenty of things to see & do. If you turn left out of the gates & have a 30 min gentle walk it will bring you to Baga beach were you can find places to eat & some shops. If you walk along the beach to the left you will see lots of shacks were you can get food & drinks with sun beds to lounge on, the sun beds are free to use if you are buying food or drink from the shack where you sit.
Walking along the beach will bring you to Calangute where you will find plenty of shops to look at, make sure you barter as they expect it. You can also visit the Tibetan jewelry stalls where they have some beautiful silver & at a very reasonably price.
There are quite a few beggars & they will come up to you with there hands out, at first I found this a bit daunting but after a day or two I learnt to say no & go away. Watch out for the women with babies, they aren't always what they seem, we watched a bus turn up one morning with women & babies on it & they passed the babies to some other women who then used them for begging, just tell them to go away.
The taxi drivers are great, they will take you anywhere & can also give you ideas on places to visit & they are very cheap.
We loved the Saturday night market near the hotel, hippy music & lot of bargains to be had, a must to see.
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Marinha Dourada Hotel Reviews
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