Karma Royal MonteRio

The only downside for us was music from a nearby nightclub. Otherwise, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff were very courteous, friendly, and quick to help, and property manager Matilda even checked in with us to make sure everything was all right. There’s a small store on site, though a well-stocked mart is an easy walk away. The property offers buffet lunch, and there are a few eateries nearby. We used the laundry service mainly because the price was low.

We visited Karma Royal MonteRio on our Goa trip with family. It’s in the Baga–Arpora area, a convenient base for North Goa, with Baga and Calangute beaches a short drive away. The resort sits on a slightly raised hillside amid greenery, so it feels peaceful and removed from the busy beach roads while still being close enough to beaches and markets. The pool area stood out, with multiple pools, trees, and open space. It was a lovely spot to unwind after a day out. The rooms are comfortable, apartment-style, and have useful basics including air-conditioning, TV, and Wi-Fi. There are also activity areas with indoor games such as table tennis and foosball. It’s a good choice for families looking for a comfortable resort stay in North Goa, with quiet surroundings and a convenient location.

My experience at Karma Royal Monterio was distressing and felt deceptive. It began on the street, where a stranger offered us promotional leaflets and said they were free. I got “Better Luck Next Time,” which seemed designed to build trust. Then my wife received a leaflet from another pocket and was told she’d won a guaranteed prize, such as an iPad, Apple Watch, or Luxury Holiday in Asia/Europe. We were told the actual prize would be revealed at the resort. At reception, instead of a prize, they screened us financially, asking where we were staying, what we paid per night, and whether we could afford luxury travel. That was a major red flag. Over the next 2+ hours we were passed among staff, repeatedly asked the same personal and financial questions, kept waiting, and taken into closed rooms for aggressive membership pitches. We said several times that we weren’t interested, but they still wouldn’t reveal the prize. Our time, privacy, and patience were disregarded. Even though we had a distressed child with us, they showed no concern and seemed focused only on getting money. After nearly three hours, I demanded the prize or that we be allowed to leave. Only then did they say the “Luxury Holiday” depended on buying a membership. They also pitched an unsolicited Thailand trip for ₹1.9 lakhs. The supposedly guaranteed prize was never free. As we left frustrated, they still tried to sell us a ₹399 buffet lunch. This felt like deceptive sales pressure disguised as a lucky draw. Leaflet distributors are spread across Goa, especially targeting couples and families. Once inside, expect psychological manipulation, time wasted, high-pressure sales, and no transparency. Avoid Karma Resorts if you value your money, time, and peace of mind. Walk away as soon as anyone offers a “guaranteed prize.”

This is a timeshare hotel, part of a deal my parents bought 15 years ago, and I’ve visited a few sites each year. Every location I’ve been to has had issues, and this resort is no exception. Karma Group calls it luxurious, but that’s far from true. We stayed a week and, because we’re cancelling our membership and aren’t prospective members or Indian citizens, we felt unwelcome and treated differently. Several times we were told someone from Karma Group would contact us, but that never happened. The resort is advertised as Aproa- Baga, though the beach is about a 20-minute walk away. Taxis are available, or you can walk if you’re brave. The property is on a steep incline, so it’s unsuitable for people with mobility problems. Staff try to help by using a shuttle car up and down the hill. The second pool was under maintenance during my visit and didn’t look likely to reopen soon. Unless you’re happy with just a rather small pool, don’t bother bringing your bathing gear. The staff are friendly and willing to make arrangements to ease your visit. But the location is used heavily to attract prospective Karma Group members. I was asked several times about my experience and repeatedly told about the “Benefits” of membership. Groups of guests are also shown around, which makes it hard to relax. The restaurant doesn’t get much use, probably because of its location. We ate there three times, and each time ours was the only table being served. The food was good and reasonably priced, with generous portions. The usual entertainment was the waiting staff loudly discussing kitchen issues or staff members twining. My room was a no-frills one-bedroom apartment with a one-ring induction hob, microwave, and fridge. There are flasks for collecting filtered water from fountains on site, but housekeeping doesn’t refill them daily. Room cleaning and maintenance were hit and miss. We had to remind them to change the bedding during our week, though that should be done regularly in this climate. The tiled bathroom had ants, and black mould around much of the grout and silicone. We tried to move rooms because of the stairs and views of construction work on the pool and nearby buildings. None of the alternatives was suitable or clean. The building maintenance is questionable, and the linen was sometimes stained, discoloured, and not fresh-smelling. There was noticeable dust and insects in the room. India’s climate may explain some of this, but precautions could help. Reception staff also took a keen interest in our comings and goings and where we shopped, which felt intrusive, with comments like, “oh my you went to that...... Shop.”