Reviews of Silver Sands Holiday Village, Candolim Beach, India

Silver Sands / Goa

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

James Ison

Comments:

Just returned from the Silver Sands after arriving on Nov 3. We booked through First Choice and flew from East Midlands. GREAT!! No Gatwick and a 2:45 drive time and no expensive car parking as we were dropped off and picked up. First Choice seats are good, much more leg room than Monarch and personal screens on the seat in front instead of some old fashioned projector that pops down from the ceiling. As for the Silver Sands we had read many reports before we left and had an open mind. We booked superior rooms and were very pleased with the standard. Very clean, nice shower and hot water all the time. Satellite telly was good also. This was our 5th time to India and fourth to Goa so we are seasoned veterans when it comes to Indian hotel rooms. The staff are very friendly and accomodating and they have adequate supply of lockers to keep valuables and passports safe. SMOKERS BEWARE!!! We both smoke and this year the local government has passed no smoking rules in Goa. It has been enforced in other parts of India for quite sometime. ALL HOTELS enforce the ban but most restaurants and bars simply ignore it and you are free to smoke in peace. All of the locals think its a ridiculous idea and I think they should concentrate on cleaning up their litter problem rather than trying to dictate where people can smoke. The restaurant at Silver Sands is ok, we only had breakfast there. The toast is hard (as many otehrs have written) but other than that the food is of good standard. They had just completed their beach shack as we were leaving and it is truly a great feature. It is elevated off the sand and has lovely loungers and brand new pristine toilets, the best of any beach haunts I have ever seen. The tanker is still there (don't think it will ever be moved) and there are now lifeguards (first year) on constant patrol. The beach hawkers have been banned so there is no pestering whilst trying to relax on a lounger. They still operate but usually from
a dedicated beach shack as opposed to wandering up and down the beach. The pool at Silver Sands is nice but somewhat shaded and we used many other hotel pools within walking distance. Current exchane rate when we left was Rs73.5 to the £ and eating and drinking is still very cheap indeed. Overall,we liked the Silver Sands very much and would defintely go there again. We didn't see any other rooms but for what we paid (I think it was £50 extra) we were very satisfied with ours. We took advice from other reviews on this website and booked the superior. (Very accurate comments from previous guests) The location is good too, right at the bottom of Candolim Beach Road and 200 metres from the beach. Nice and quiet, average age 50 , no [--] heads running around blind drunk upsetting people.

James

Silver sands is a cracking...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2007

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

mrgoa

Comments:

Silver sands is a cracking little hotel. I Flew out with some friends who were booked in here as part of a package. I was flight only and headed here on the off chance that there might be a room available.



I got one of the huts at the side of the pool, with a fridge and aircon for a very reasonable 900 rupees a night. That went up the next year to 1800 rupees! However this is still cheap.



The staff are so friendly, and they go out their way to make your stay as special as possible. I have never stayed in any other 2 star hotel where a waiter will serve you a beer when your in the pool!



Once your there, I would recommend using the hotel as a base, places that are well worth a look are Palolem beach, which was about 8 quid away in a taxi. If you stay on Palolem, stay at Dreamcatcher. It's the cleanest and best, but one of the most expensive.

My partner and I went to the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss J Bradley

Comments:

My partner and I went to the Silver Sands in Goa in Feb 2008 and absolutely loved it.

It was the best decision that we could have made.

The holiday was further enhanced by the hotel staff-Guru,Lorina,Neil,Jon,Manu,Ravi,Pinto,AJ,Sachin,Jono,Santos,Godspeel,Baloo and the Chefs at the Sheetal.

WE had a great time and were well looked after by everyone and we have made quite a few new friends.

The hotel was clean and our cleaner,Sachin, made sure our towels where a different animal every day!! (Thanks mate!)

We ate regulary in the Sheetal restaurant which is part of the Silver Sands.

We were very sad to leave to be honest.

On our return we immediately booked again for Feb 2009.

We can't wait to go back to our little piece of Eden!!

But don't tell everyone or else our Garden of Eden will disappear!!!!

Jane & Martin

xx

we were at silversands in march...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S Peters

Comments:

we were at silversands in march 2008 this is 6 times we have stayed their we stayed in a supreme room it was cleaned every day wen where there. i did not have a bad word to say about the rooms the facilities and the staff who welcome you and talk to you in a very nice and cheerfull way. we also in our other stay to silver sands stayed in a bungalow which again was very clean and very nice to stay in.We have already booked for christmas this year and march next year as the holiday to goa really is an experince to have .The overall place was top marks for me and would recommed it to anyone who is interested in a holiday to goa.

when we arrived we had a little...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Miss EP Proctor

Comments:

when we arrived we had a little trouble with the rooms but the staff were amazing in sorting it out.

the holiday was made special by the way the staff treated you at the hotel.

all of the waiters aspesialy Ajay and John and Neil were just fantastic will be back next year to see them for sure.

i have no complaints at all about the hotel nor the people there as i met some amazing people not just staff but also guests who were stopping at the hotel who also made the stay worthwile.

Went to Silver Sands on our 1st...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

lap69

Comments:

Went to Silver Sands on our 1st visit to Goa, was not sure at first but after you get some sleep it’s a whole new outlook. People are right when they say you either love it or hate it-WE LOVE IT!!



The hotel is 2 mins from the beach which in April is not that busy as it’s near the end of the season. We hired a fridge for our room in the tower block for 2 weeks - cost 14 pound. At the start of the 2nd week we upgraded to a room with air-con as it was getting really hot. The breakfast is really slow but better if you go to the hotels beach shack just round the corner. Used Bonos shack on the beach - nice friendly people and great food and toilets are better than the hotels.



Anyone going for the 1st time get yourself a taxi driver for the duration; he will save you loads of money on trips out. Went to Coco Beach for the dolphins at Blackies shack-no see, no pay! Take a trip to spice plantation and ride and wash the elephants-great fun, there’s so much to do and see, we went out nearly every day.



The staff in the hotel can’t do enough for you and will try and help in any way. We're going back in April for 3 weeks and have upgraded to a superior room and its cost less than 2 weeks did last year.

Initially a culture shock, we...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

bling thing

Comments:

Initially a culture shock, we brits are so pampered!



The hotel is charming, adequate, and very clean. The staff are so friendly, helpful and genuinely warm. Virtually located on the beach! Jewellery handbags belts and leather goods are priced so cheaply, it would be rude not to buy ha ha!



The average wage for people can be 10/15 pounds per month. So be generous with your English pound! Tip well but sensibly. An average evening meal with starter & all drinks included & generous tip was never more than £10 per evening at any venue that we tried for two of us.



Inferno was particularly wonderful. So much care taken with your order requirements. I visited Dr Pimenta (dentist) and I had 2 white fillings and a polish for under £40. I prebooked by email in the U.K. Take a small torch and flat shoes girls. There are many unlit streets and the pavements don’t really exist.



Take a taxi without a worry it just won’t cost much at all. We had a driver for literally hours in attendance and it was around £4.00 in total. The tailors are great and so cheap for any running repairs or even a new suit for under £30!



We spent £300 on our total food drink and taxis for 2 weeks and we ate and drank freely without limits. Topless bathing is against the law, but the attitude to it is very relaxed.



Going back in March the experience was just sooooo good.

This was our first time in Goa...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr P Burrell

Comments:

This was our first time in Goa and will definitely be going back. The Silver Sands resort may not be a 5 star hotel but the people make you feel like it is. We were very well looked after and have no complaints at all.



The Goan people are very friendly and have a good sense of humour. Candolim itself is very laid back and the beach at Candolim is beautiful. The cost of living is very cheap and the standard of food in the restaurants and beach shacks is exceptional.



I would recommend anyone to visit Goa but you have to go with an open mind and accept that not everything is going to be as it is in the UK. There is a lot of rubbish in the streets away from the beach and the roads are very chaotic with pedestrians, cows, dogs, pigs and traffic all sharing the road. We only saw one minor accident though during the 2 weeks we were there.



All in all a very enjoyable holiday, which has totally changed my thinking on India, this is a happy country and the people have an optimism that is infectious.

My partner and I travelled with...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Dec 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr J R Rowley

Comments:

My partner and I travelled with first choice which I would highly recommend.



The new 767's they use are great, loads of leg room, I’m 6" 2".The 9 hr flight passed quite quickly with the in seat entertainment, films, TV, games. Arrival at the airport wasn’t as bad as expected although if the local lads left the luggage on the belt instead of putting them on the floor it would help.



When you get outside let the boy's take your bags it's easier than saying no and give them a pound. Abit of a shock as you walk down to the coach, traffic, cows, noise etc. A taxi is faster, but the coach is more interesting.



The apartments on arrival look ok; we had the superior room, very large, air con, fan, and fridge and cleaned every day, nice attempt at towel sculptures as well.



We had breakfast 1st morning, but walk round the corner to Alexandra's good food, very friendly.



The beach is gorgeous, a bit messy but remember where you are and accept everything for what it is. Look out for the sunbed boys running to you on your first visit but say you have a sunbed and go to the purple one’s, owned by Santana and he and his lads will look after you all day every day, drinks, moving you near the sea etc.



We only went for 7 days, our 1st time so didn’t explore much, but there are loads of good eating places and to sit and watch the world and his dog and cow pass by. Mango grove on the main road to the right was our fav.



Take a cab to Calangute for a bit of a culture shock but again all part of the Goa experience. When leaving for the airport take a cab 15 mins before the coach is due, get there early, you’ll be further up the queue outside. It is unorganised chaos inside but relax, getting uptight doesn’t get you anywhere.



Flight home just shy of 11 hrs, but again comfortable. As an overview go for 2 wks minimum, 3 would be better, settle as quickly as possible to enjoy everything about this wonderful, friendly place.



There are possibly bigger and better apts to stay in but we would go back to the Silver Sands 52 wks of the year if we could. Fantastic time.

Have stayed at Silversands three...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

Travelpack

Submitted By:

shelliefazz

Comments:

Have stayed at Silversands three times now and find here, everything you need. Spacious rooms, clean, hot water, great location just on beach road and 2 minutes from the beach.



Selection of bars and restaurants on your door step and away from the busy main road.



Two minutes from the beach, whereby you will find Shack upon Shack. Which one do you chose? They all offer free sunbeds?



Well from my experience and having been to Goa four times in 2007, head towards the shipwrecked boat, i.e. turn left once on beach.



keep walking, about ten minutes and next door to the impressive looking Club 21 Shack, you will find 21 COCONUTS. A small friendly shack will loads of extras. The extensive menu caters for everyone and this year will be introducing a kids menu. Never had a problem with dodgy tummy here and the staff are very friendly and accommodating.



They look after your towels and creams over night and will even wash them if you ask them too. There is toilet facilities, weekly BBQS at night, a selection of books, if you fancy a read, and the staff will help you in any way they can.



Every time we come to Goa we come here and we have met some great friends. Truly the friendliest and best Shack in Candolim.

We stayed at Silver Sands in nov...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs D Mountain

Comments:

We stayed at Silver Sands in nov 06 and made the most of our visas and returned in March 07. We were not disappointed. The hotel is clean and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. We now consider as I'm sure lots of other guests do that the staff at Silver Sands are not just staff they are friends. They are special people who play a huge part in making our holiday everything we wish it to be. We will be returning in Nov this year and it can't come soon enough. Can't wait to see Guru, Ajay and everyone at the Silver Sands again.

I went to Silver Sands with my...

Overall Rating:

3/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Ms K Patel

Comments:

I went to Silver Sands with my brother, sister-in-law, her daughter (5)and my daughter (12).



I personally feel the accommodation was terrible. We were first put in two rooms in a tower block, my brother, his wife and daughter in one and my daughter and I in the other. It was very cramped especially for my brother. As they had 3 beds in one single room. We were then transferred into two bigger rooms but of course that came at a cost.



We had to rent a fridge, safety boxes and air conditioning. Very costly.



The facilities were terrible for children, the pool was extremely dangerous. Breakfast was terrible.



I personally feel that Silver Sand is not worthwhile.

We have given this hotel a score...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr R Ellison

Comments:

We have given this hotel a score of 5 because of the upgrade we had to pay extra for.



When we arrived on site, we were allocated a room in a block that looked like a set from "Prisoner cell block H". All concrete and peeling shiny paint, with very little light.



Seeing the room was a traumatic experience. It was bare with two beds made totally of wood including the bases and mattresses of dubious cleanliness, barely three inches thick. Needless to say, hard as a rock.



The paintwork was gloss brown like the shade used to paint fake dog mess. The "bathroom" was a barely partitioned off part of the room with a worn out maroon suite and the same brown paint.



Apart from the beds there was a table and a sort of wardrobe plus a ceiling fan. The only decor on the walls were the partly disintegrated corpses of various flying insects that had the misfortune to alight in the room.



The door had a large sliding bolt that looked like a cast off from the set of Hammer house of horrors. Because the beds took up most of the width of the room, I managed to painfully knock my shin on the sharp corner of one of them which was the last straw.



We went to reception and I swear the woman behind the desk was more than half expecting us because before I had finished my sentence about how bad the room was, and was there any possibility of an upgrade, she was saying "upgrade is 600 rupees a night".



We went to look at the room in one of the new cottages on site and it was much better.

It was clean. At least twice the size with a new bathroom, proper wardrobe, a dresser and much more comfortable beds.



There was a ceiling fan and aircon plus a TV. Well worth the upgrade money and our unhappiness was allayed.



We never availed ourselves of the breakfast after the first morning as the ants all over the cups, two slices of hard toast and fluorescent jam never appealed.



We discovered that Goa is full of restaurants of a very acceptable standard who will serve a meal at a very reasonable price, to say the least. We used the Alexander Restaurant about three minutes from the Hotel.



After the first day, things improved greatly. This was our first visit to Goa although not to India. The Goans we met were nearly all of the same ilk. Friendly, helpful and you got a sense of honesty that surpassed anything we had experienced on our extensive travels.



The good restaurants and bars were excellent. We are not beach dwellers but the beaches, with a few exceptions, were as good as we have seen.



Having travelled with Cox & Kings on a few of their Indian tours and staying in the best hotels, perhaps we have been a bit harsh on the Silver Sands, paying a fraction of the cost but there is no excuse for poor basic cleanliness and accommodation.



We will go back to Goa but it will be worth paying a little bit extra for a three or four star hotel.



The First choice flights were very good. We didn`t use the services of their staff in Candolim so we cannot comment.

A very basic hotel but one of...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr Martin Smith

Comments:

A very basic hotel but one of the friendliest places I have ever been to.



The staff could not do enough to help you. The hotel is just minutes from the beach and minutes from 22 fabulous restaurants (not that we had time to go to every single one!).



The whole of Candolim is just one chill out zone and we definitely would have no hesitation returning to Silver Sands.



You can upgrade locally e.g. to a superior room or to one with air con and this is probably much cheaper than doing it with your tour operator.



During our two weeks at Silver Sands we were made to feel so special.

First time in candolim, very...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr P Hallam

Comments:

First time in candolim, very friendly and helpful at all times. The staff are just great john, neil and ajay, at silversands.



Already booked for next year we will be staying for three weeks. Very clean accommodation highly recommended. Great bunch of guys at teama local bar and restaurant can’t wait to return. myself and my partner lorraine and grand daughter keeley had the best two weeks holiday ever.