William's Beach Retreat

I brought my family here, and the stay was very disappointing. We chose the hotel for its location near the seashore, but the real rooms looked completely different from the photos online. They smelled bad and didn’t feel fresh. The toilets were dirty, leaking, and had a strong unpleasant odor; there was no bathroom exhaust fan, and the towels were worn and dirty. The rooms felt more like a lodge than a proper hotel.

Adequate, and you get what you pay for. The room and bed were clean, but the bed was noisy. The bathroom was barely acceptable and needs a thorough clean; the sink wasn’t really usable. I wouldn’t use the pool. I couldn’t see any cleaning being done, and many of the edges were missing and looked dangerous. I was there for three nights and made the best of it.

The best part for me was the food at Anthony's bar and restaurant, which is linked to the property. There are lots of good choices, from a lovely homely breakfast to all kinds of other good dishes. The beach is only about 300 metres away, with an HDFC ATM and an early morning tea shop right opposite. Down the lane by the tea shop, next to the ATM, there’s a homely style fish thali for 150 bucks. You can hire vehicles nearby to head south to other beaches or Madgaon. The rooms are basic, with hot water from a geyser, a working TV and slightly spongy beds. The pool is okay and huge for the location. There are lots of hens around in the morning, which gives it a village feel. Don’t expect an upscale hotel. Don’t overload the workers with unnecessary questions. If you book through an app, call to confirm roughly when you’ll arrive. They may be late answering, or call you several times around check-in, so pick up near that time. By the staircase there’s an Aquaguard where you can fill empty bottles for the trip and your room.

If you’ll be out at the beach or sightseeing all day, this could suit you. Colva beach is nearby, which is a plus, and it seems good for bachelors and couples. Families with kids may run into some issues with the room ambience and service.