Kamat Holiday Homes Hotel

We go to Goa each year and know what to expect so booked 10 months in advance to get the right place. What a mistake, we booked a room with a pool view which we were assured we would get, but ended up overlooking a building site and slum out of two windows and pigeons and usual pigeon dirt out of the other. We were also treated to the sesspit emptying until the smell got to much and we had to go in doors,,,we did ask for a pool view after all but didn't state pool of what. Members of staff used other rooms in the building and spent most of the night re-arranging furniture, then at around 5.30 the laundry started just before the roosters. The food in Goa is fabulous but not here I have never eaten a chichen curry were I spent the whole time removing small bones hence I left it, it actually resembled a small rodent hacked into sections.The breakfast was no better and we only used one of the fourteen vochures we were given. On the good side the the bedding towels etc. were clean every day and the staff were always very polite. The main problem lies with the tour operators showing pictures 10 yrs out of date and not acrtually of where you are going to stay hence I have undertaken legal proceedings. We also "lost" a ladies watch from the room As a final point never fly to Goa with Monach. We flew the 10 hours cramped liked sardines in a short haul flight plane paid extra for monach plus which no one knew anything about. It could have been worst we could have paid £200 extra each for Monach Premium and been cramped in the same seats as economy as some on the flight were.

We came back from Goa with fond memories & a very bad tan. It was my first trip with my friends when none of them decided to back out...so it was really special. We reached Goa on Oct 8,2006..& the first thing we noticed was that it had rained. The smell of wet mud..wow can't forget it till today. We had already booked a guest house called POUSADA in Panaji but it was nothing close to the beach,so we decided to move out & search for a beach resort / hotel. Luckily a few months back a group of our friends had stayed at Ondas Do Mar Resort, within a few minutes we had there number & the call was made & every detail was finalised...we were checking in the next morning. The first all of my friends asked at the reception once we reached the resort was how far is the beach? A FEW STEPS, was the reply....so we decided to check it out & the gentleman was right,it was hardly 2minutes from the resort. We were so thrilled, quickly had our breakfast, dumped all our bags in the room & ran to the beach.....& rest as they say is history. We booked two A.C rooms for Rs 1350 per day. The rooms are spacious & have a nice big bed, a television, fridge, a big bath & they also have an adjoining kitchen & the resort serves complimentary breakfast aswell. Our room's back door opened up by the poolside, its a great place for your morning tea & breakfast. The resort is one of the best budget resorts in Goa, the staffs very polite & went out of there way to help us & made our stay with them a great experience. We really hope to return back very soon.

The Kamat Holiday Home is situated in South Calangute just off the main road that runs parallel with the coastline. The rooms are very basic but reasonably clean. Each has a little balcony and the view inevitably depends upon which room you get. We were in phase 2 which is sandwiched between a primary school (other reviews tell you that this can be noisy) and a residential compound (complete with cockle-doodle-doos at 4am). Damn roosters! So best stay in phase one as it's the main complex where the swimming pool and restaurant is located (ask for a south or west facing balcony). It can only be quieter. Our 'home' consisted of a bedroom, a little room with a sink (not quite a kitchenette), a main room with TV and balcony, and a fridge. The bathroom consisted of a toilet, a shower (actually quite good) and a sink. So not bad at all in terms of facilities but the generally impression was that the place was a little tired and in need of revamping. For those of you who are fans of modern air travel the air conditioning unit will be a delight as it sounds like a jet engine. When ours was on it was difficult to get to sleep but it did at least drown out the dawn calls of the roosters down below. A big plus (which has been commented on many times) is the Tandoor Restaurant. I am no snob and very partial to a chicken tikka masala. Indeed, I would count myself as somewhat of an officianado of the dish. I have not tasted better than the fare at the Tandoor. Recommended. On balance, I am sure better accomodation exists in Calangute. Indeed, down the road towards the beach (Holiday Street) we found an number of places that had better rooms. Rooms were available even over Christmas. The area of South Calangute is superb. Goa at its most organised and yet you still know you are in India. The people in Goa are extremely friendly and whilst their main aim is to get you to use their services (obviously) their sales pitch is delivered with a smile and sincerity you do not get in many parts of the world. If you have booked a package deal (we did) and the Kamat Holiday Homes is the only option available/in your price range do not fear. Its good enough not to blight your holiday. However, if four or five star luxury is your thing you should not stay there.

given how cheep it is to stay at the kamat hotel i found it good. room was basic but clean and had two toilets ! it overlooked pool, which was very clean. food at the hotel was very inexpensive and of good quality. laundry always collected and returned on time. staff at reception always helpful. used a taxi driver called sam he drove the nightrider taxi - he was good fun and drove us every day and was always on time and good value for money - infact he saved us a bomb as we used him instead of tour operators for excersions.

Kamat Holiday Homes was a massive disappointment to someone who has been to India for the last 5 years. There are different phases, Phase 1 is right by the pool and amenities,and phase 2 & 3 miles away. With a child i booked phase 1, now this may have been the reps fault i don't know but when we arrived we were placed in a room miles away fom anywhere. I spoke to the manager and expressed my dissappointment,as our room was not ready even though we had been delayed 25hours. On my tickets it said i had apool facing room and to sleep 3. We were nowhere near a pool and only had too beds. To say i was not pleased with the service or standard of the pool would be an understatement. If you would like to stay in a 3* hotel then i would avoid this like the plague. The Nizmar Resort is a proper 3* hotel and would recommend it to anyone,fantastic staff, great food and very clean. The Kamat Holiday homes should be re rated.

we visited this small & beautiful resort in the month of april 2006. it was a short visit but we got back with fond memories.the staff of the resort are very friendly,caring & helpful.the rooms are equally comfortable & spacious. situated near one of the famous beaches of goa 'calangute' at a throwaway distance.the stay was an absolute incredible experience for us. it is important to have a day or 2 extra in hand when you plan a stay in ondas to get the feel of the comfort & hospitality of the resort. the pool side just draws the attention it is lovely & u can spend hours together along the poolside which servers u with all kind of facilities from breakfast to dinner & needless to say u are in goa & you don't enjoy your favourite drink 'you name it & they have it' ideal place to relax & its money worth a stay. overall it was a great stay at the ondas & we all look forward to go back & stay with ondas if we ever plan a trip to goa.this time we will try to make it during the season between oct - dec. with lots of best wishes to all at the ondas.

We stayed there last year. Nice hotel overall but instead of our room overlooking the pool we were round the back above the laundry. We were woken every morning at 5.30 with the noise. Though the staff were polite when we complained, they had no other rooms as it was overbooked. We think they may have been the staffs quarters. Food was good though and the pool area nice, not too busy, lots of facilities on site. Been back for a meal a few times but wouldnt stay there again.

Just got back after satying 2 weeks at the Kamat. The first room they showed us was wholly inadequate and was in the main complex. It was spacious but bare and unclean so we asked for a room at phase 2 a few minutes walk which was much better. The staff are courteous and helpful, and the location isnt too bad. The pool area is good and not too crowded and they also have a kids pool too. The best thing about this place is the restaurant(Tandoor) and the kebabs and tikka dishes in particular. Had some of the best Indian food Ive ever tasted here and would certainly go back and eat there.

Just back from 2 weeks at the Kamat. We booked last minute using the net & looked at the Kamat website to see what we were getting. Only to find out when we got there that there are 3 phases of the Kamat. We were in the second phase which was a few minutes walk down the road from the main hotel & next door to a school which was quite noisy. Some of the apartments in the 2nd phase seemed to be more residential than holiday homes. Anyway after a day we asked if we could move upto the 1st phase to be next to the pool & bar & restaurant & gym. We were able to move but had to pay 3600Rps to do so, thats about £45 for 2 weeks in total, not bad really. The new room was about as good as your going to get for a 4* in India (considering they go upto 7* & I thought that was just Dubai??). There were 2 ceiling fans in the room & an aircon unit & a fridge. We also had the bonus of a tv (with footy to keep my man happy!) & hot water for a shower to keep me happy! We stayed on a B&B basis & you can either have an assortment of curries for breakfast or fried eggs, scrambled eggs or boiled eggs with toast & varying fruit & fruit juices. The snack menu in the afternoon is pretty limited but the full menu & the 200Rps (eat all you want) buffet are well worth a go. As soon as you walk out of the gates of the hotel be prepared to get "hello taxi" "hello banana" "hello peanut" & horns honking galore!! There is a taxi rank outside the hotel & we used a guy called Aneel or Andy as he likes to be called??? He was very chilled & cheap. There is also a chemist & supermarket on the same block so if you cant face the madness of the traffic, you can stay put & roast in the sun! The hotel was very clean, all the staff were very courteous. We met friends in Goa who had been 3 times before & this time are there for a month & have rented an apartment. They were just a tad jealous of our nice pad!! One last mention, if your after a tailor out there try Apollo Tailor near the Goan Heritage centre, I had 2 silk cocktail dresses (copied from vogue) & a pinstripe wool trouser suit made for under £100. The attention to detail is fantastic! Go...............an what you waiting for!!!

My wife and I encountered this hotel complex some 6 years ago. It was our first visit to Goa, and naturally we were somewhat apprehensive about our visit. Our normal holiday experience took us no further than Europe. After the 'Frustrating Airport Experience' We arrived at the Ondas. The greeting that we received from the staff was overwhelming. We couldn't come to terms with the friendliness of the staff. Well, we were shown to our villa; my Wife (who is renound for her machine-gun chat) didn't speak for what seemed an eternity. We were expecting a first class 3 star villa. It bore no resemblence to that. The decore was dark, brown painted, gloomy, but so clean. "Okay" said my Wife, after what seemed like an hour" We are here for two weeks, let's enjoy ourselves. We have been back to the Ondas every year for 6 years. Why? Well...The complex is off the main road (No noise) It is a short stroll to the beach. There are shops,bars and restaurants within minutes walk. Calangute is a 20 minute stroll. So what about the Ondas ? The professionalism and friendliness of the staff is second to none. The quality of the food in the restaurant is excellent. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff. The swimming pool is kept prestine. The waiters, Oh what lovely lads. The bar staff, nothing is too much trouble. The Management / Reception, well..they go out of their way to make sure that you have everything that you need. In short, If this is your first visit to Goa, and you are looking for value for money, then you will go a long, long way to find a better accommodation than the Ondas Do Mar. Go on, give it a try - You won't be disappointed.