Colonia Santa Maria Hotel

1 reader found this review helpful

We chose this hotel as it is used by repeat guests and offered lots of vegetarian food! It is a very friendly if simple hotel complex (remember it is 2* and that's what you've paid for) where the staff cannot do enough for you. The Bus Boys keep the large bedrooms immaculate each day and refill the room fridge with beer, soft drinks and water.
The hotel is known as CSM by locals and guests alike. On arrival the coach drops you at then end of CSM lane and the boys collect your luggage to take it up to the hotel. You will pass various stands and stalls on the way and all the locals will welcome you. You'll see them all regularly.
CSM has a wide range of restaurants and bars nearby as well as lots of market stalls and shops. On the complex: the prices in the restaurant and bar are excellent.
The room is more of a suite with a large-ish bedroom with ensuite shower room and then a large-ish lounge area with chairs, table, wardrobe fridge etc. There is a TV in the bedroom if you can't do without the news. We had been looking for a B&B holiday but on trying the restaurant ate there for half of our two week stay. Although they don't publicise it, if you don't want the evening buffet you can eat off the menu to the same cost. One evening it only cost an extra 75p to have freshly caught fish instead! The waiters are wonderful and not phased at all by unusual requests - garlic bread with a curry! Breakfast is a mixture of Goan and continental foods with plenty on offer as long as you don't leave it until the last half hour especially when the hotel is full. The hotel pool is fairly small but we weren't there to sit on a sun lounger all day.
There are taxis just outside the hotel and they will drive you for your whole stay if asked. We used one driver only who was a complete star. Prices are fixed but are so low that tipping is perfect way to say thank you.
All in all a fabulous holiday and we booked to return to CSM in Jan 07 within a week of coming home! Book early and ask for a room at the beach end of the complex.