OYO 19783 Arabian Sands Beach Resort

The rooms smelled, the washrooms were unhygienic, and the air conditioners weren't working properly. The photos give a very different impression. We had booked two rooms and agreed to pay only if we could get a full refund and check out when the ACs weren't working. The manager had agreed, but after we complained he kept asking us to wait another 30 minutes. That dragged on for two hours of our Goa stay. When we insisted on leaving and getting the refund, he said we had already stayed for two hours and couldn't just wait around and go. He was rude, harassed us, and wouldn't cooperate. The owner and manager both acted like hypocrites. We considered going to the police but didn't want to waste more time on them. In the end we got only a 50% refund. Don't stay here if you want to enjoy your Goa trip.

We checked in quickly, but breakfast was a letdown. They said the complimentary meal meant just one vegetarian item and one non-vegetarian item, with no alternatives. The kitchen didn't open until 11 am, and the food they had before then wasn't appetising. With few restaurants, bars, or shacks nearby, that was a tough spot. The hotel is also far from town, so getting a cab can be a problem. I left the next day and found a place in Panaji for the same fare. Getting there was hard too. The property is in a remote corner of morjim with no signs, at the end of a village path about 1-1.5 km long. It isn't paved and is only wide enough for one car. I arrived late at night in Goa, and my driver struggled to find it. Try to arrive before sundown. The rooms are small with thin walls, so privacy and sound insulation are poor. One wall is all glass, screened only by a curtain that can blow aside, and the bathroom is separated from the bedroom by translucent glass where silhouettes show through. It felt uncomfortable, especially for a group of friends. Rooms come in pairs with a shared verandah, and noisy teenagers next door made the lack of soundproofing obvious. The whole stay left me dissatisfied.

We spent four days here with friends and family, and the food was the highlight. The cook, mostly from Nepal or Eastern India, made delicious meals, hard to ask for anything better. The rooms were good and the stay was pleasant too. Abhinav, the owner, was a lot of fun and helped us set up a dance floor. We partied with the other families staying around Morjim, kids included. I'll remember this trip for a long time. Thanks to all the staff for making it so memorable. Hope we can come back next year.

The beach is only a two-minute walk, and the lifeguards are attentive, so it felt very safe. The rooms are cosy but tiny, which makes this a good getaway for two. The breakfast buffet is limited, though you can pay extra to add more. Their chef is great, with really tasty food. Staff are polite and respectful of requests. My only reason for giving four stars is that coffee and tea room service doesn't start until 8 am.