Escape to Paradise: Goa's Sol De Goa Hotel Awaits!
My Chaotic, (Mostly) Awesome Adventure: A Review of [Hotel Name Here, Let's Pretend!]**
Okay, so I just got back from a stay at this place, and honestly? It's a mixed bag. A glorious, chaotic, slightly-off-kilter mixed bag. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because my brain works like a tumble dryer full of socks. This is going to be… interesting.
(SEO & Metadata Note: I'm going to sprinkle keywords in a natural, almost manic, way throughout. Think of it as keyword confetti!)
Accessibility: (Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Facilities for disabled guests)
Alright, first things first: I'm not in a wheelchair, so I'm not the best judge of this, but the website claimed "wheelchair accessible" and "facilities for disabled guests." I did notice elevators – a HUGE plus! – and ramps around the lobby. It looked promising, but honestly, I didn't scrutinize it. Someone with more direct experience would need to give a definitive verdict. But hey, kudos for trying, at least. The "facilities for disabled guests" felt vague, though.
On-site Eats and Drinks: (On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, Bar, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Coffee shop, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant, Bottle of water)
Oh, the food. Where do I even begin? Okay, here's the truth: food is SUPER important to me. Like, obsessively important.
- The buffet… It was a chaotic ballet of hungry people! I’m talking a buffet, the kind that usually makes my mouth water, was, at times, a total free-for-all! But hey, free food, right? There was "Asian breakfast" (noodles, which I LOVED), "Western breakfast" (bacon, which I also loved), and a whole lot in between. The coffee? Hit-or-miss. Mostly miss. Thank God for the coffee shop! Thank god for that little haven of caffeine!
- A la carte, babes. The "restaurants" were… diverse. I’ll be honest, one night I ordered a salad and it came with more dressing than lettuce. I love dressing, but this… was much. Okay, maybe my fault. But the "Asian cuisine" place? Stellar! Seriously, the pad thai was divine. The "International cuisine" one (the 'fancy' one) felt a little… stuffy. But the "Happy hour"? Now that was a party! Half-price cocktails by the poolside bar? Yes, please!
- Room service, 24-hour? Bless them. Absolutely. Because sometimes, after a long day of doing absolutely nothing, you just need a burger in your bathrobe at 2 AM.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment)
Okay, in the COVID era, this is crucial. I felt… mostly safe. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff all seemed to be wearing masks, and I definitely witnessed "professional-grade sanitizing services" in action. The food was mostly individually wrapped, which gave me a little peace of mind. Still, I wish the rooms smelled a little less… bleach-y. (Don't we all?!) The "Doctor/nurse on call" thing? Thank heavens I didn't need it, but good to know!
Ways to Unwind: (Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor])
Here’s where this place really shines. Or, at least, where I had the most fun.
- The pool with a view. Oh. My. GOD. Stunning. Just absolutely stunning. I spent hours there, just soaking in the sun and pretending I'm a celebrity I always wanted to be. Now, that's what I call relaxation. The swimming pool [outdoor] was also awesome.
- The Spa/Sauna. Soooo I'm an absolute sucker for a spa. Okay, I'm a sucker for anything that promises relaxation. The massage? Divine. Seriously, I think I fell asleep. And the sauna and steamroom? Perfect.
- The Fitness center… Uh, I walked past it. Once. Let's just say I prioritized the pool over the treadmill. (But hey, options, right?!)
Internet and Tech Stuff: (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas)
Okay, here's where the hotel really delivered.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Seriously, it's a must these days. And it actually worked – which is a minor miracle sometimes.
- Internet [LAN]: I didn't use it, but hey, it's there! Options!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Spotty. Seriously, spotty. But the pool makes up for it!
Things to Do: (Things to do, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Babysitting service, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center)
Lots of stuff! Felt like a small town, or a little city.
- Concierge: Super helpful! Seriously, those guys are worth their weight in gold. Especially when I was trying to find a killer local restaurant.
- Daily housekeeping: Spotless! I mean, my room wasn’t always a picture of perfection (I’m a messy human), but they definitely tried!
- Convenience store: Lifesaver, for snacks and a forgotten toothbrush!
- Meeting/banquet facilities, seminars, on-site event hosting I didn't use any of this, but it seemed like a busy place with a lot happening, so I liked it.
For the Kids: (Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal)
I don't have kids, so I can't say much, but I saw a lot of families and the place felt generally kid-friendly. And, from what I saw, the kids meal options were plentiful.
**Services and Conveniences: (Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Airport transfer, Available in all rooms, Babysitting service, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Buffet in restaurant, Business facilities, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Cash withdrawal, Cashless payment service, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Extra long bed, Facilities for disabled guests, Fire extinguisher, First aid kit, Food delivery, Free bottled water, Front desk [24-hour], Gift/souvenir shop, Hair dryer, Hand sanitizer, High floor, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Indoor venue for special events, Individually-wrapped food options, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Invoice provided, Ironing facilities, Ironing service, Laptop workspace, Laundry service, Linens, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meeting stationery, Meetings, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Non-smoking rooms, On-demand movies, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Poolside bar, Private bathroom, Professional-
Unbelievable Eisenerzer Hof: Your Austrian Dream Awaits in Eisenerz!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitised travel brochure itinerary. This is real Goa, Sol De Goa, unfiltered. And trust me, it's a wild ride.
GOA: SOL DE GOA - A MESSY CHRONICLE (with occasional genius moments, hopefully)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and Cocktails)
- 10:00 AM: Land in Dabolim Airport. Okay, first impression of Goa? Smells like a heady mix of salt, diesel, and… something floral, I can't quite place it. Hmm, is this the secret of its magic?
- 11:30 AM: The Great Taxi Negotiation. After a brutal haggle worthy of a Dickens novel, I wrangle a taxi to Sol De Goa. The driver has eyes. Like, serious, seen-a-lot-of-things eyes. Also, he blasts Bollywood so loud the car threatens to vibrate apart. I'm already loving this place.
- 1:00 PM: Check-in. Ah, the Sol De Goa. It's… charming. In a slightly-faded-glory, a-little-bit-dusty, kind of way. Which, honestly, I find comforting. The pool looks inviting, especially in this heat.
- 1:30 PM: Get to my room. It's a perfectly pleasant room, all whitewashed walls and a balcony that screams "sunset drinks." I unpack, which involves a minor existential crisis about the amount of "stuff" I actually own. Why do I need so many t-shirts?!
- 2:30 PM: Poolside Indulgence - Or, The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing. The only task I have at hand now is which cocktail to start with. The margarita is the winner. This is the life. The sun is already baking my brain. I quickly realise I'm not just relaxing, I'm actively melting.
- 5:00 PM: Explore the hotel. Wander around a bit - I discover a hidden little garden, complete with a very friendly lizard. Honestly, I've already bonded with the lizard and feel like I have found a travel buddy.
- 6:00 PM: Sunset drinks at the poolside bar. The sky is on fire! Orange and pink and purple, like someone spilled a paint factory. The conversations with my fellow travellers are a mix of joy and shared experiences, where we all agree that nothing is better than a sunset at Goa with a cocktail.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner. Decide on the hotel restaurant. Ordered fish thali. It's…okay. Needs more spice! But the atmosphere is lovely. The sound of the waves and the ambient conversations make the night.
- 9:30 PM: Bed. Sleep is a mixed bag of jet lag and excitement. Goa is a wild world isn't it.
Day 2: Beach Bliss, Chaos and Curry
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Sun is already glaring. Time to conquer the beach!
- 9:00 AM: Hire a scooter. This is where it all goes wrong. I am not a scooter person. The roads are insane. Traffic is a free-for-all with everything from cows to swerving buses and this scooter is a weapon of mass chaos in my hands. I'm 90% sure I nearly caused a pile-up with a herd of rogue goats. Note to self: Maybe stick to walking.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Anjuna Beach. Finally! White sand, turquoise water! I find a beachfront shack, order a coconut, and collapse. The water is warm, the sun is glorious and I almost immediately get a sunburn. Oops.
- 12:00 PM: The Dive Bar Debacle. I decide to try some watersports, only to be told that all of the available water sports are closed due to the weather. Oh well. I am also offered some more "exotic" choices, which I decline.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a beach shack. Seafood. Oh. My. God. The flavours! The freshness! I could eat this every day. I do.
- 2:30 PM: Back to Sol De Goa. Needed to lick my wounds from the scooter incident. The pool is my solace here, with the constant breeze wiping away the sweat.
- 4:00 PM: Curry Quest. I knew I had to find the most authentic Goan curry. I am on the hunt!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. The curry. I found a mom-and-pop shack. The smell of it! The colour! The flavour explosion! The best meal of my life. I almost cry with happiness. Best. Curry. Ever.
- 8:00 PM: Stargazing on the balcony. The sky is just unbelievable. Millions of stars, a gentle breeze, the sound of the ocean… perfection.
- 9:00 PM: Bed. Sleep comes easy after that curry. Feeling all the wonderful emotions.
Day 3: More Messy Adventures
- 9:00 AM: Attempted Yoga. The hotel offers yoga. I sign up, convinced I'll achieve inner peace. Turns out, I'm about as flexible as a rusty tin can. I sweat, I wobble, I almost fall over. I spend half the time laughing at myself. But hey, at least I tried.
- 10:30 AM: Visit the local market. So, the market. It’s a sensory overload. The smell of spices, the colours of fabrics, the hawkers screaming at you. I somehow manage to haggle for a scarf, then accidentally buy a questionable amount of cashew nuts. I’m going to need a separate suitcase.
- 12:00 PM: The Great Auto-Rickshaw Ride. Needed a ride to the market. The driver had a handlebar moustache that could rival a walrus. The ride was… exhilarating. Let’s just say I held on for dear life. Goa is not for the faint of heart!
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. More seafood. Because, priorities.
- 2:00 PM: Pool. Back to melting.
- 4:00 PM: A walk through the old town. An interesting and beautiful mix of colonial and Portuguese influences.
- 6:00 PM: Watch the sunset and start planning things for the next few days.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant.
- 9:00 PM: Bed.
Day 4: Departure (with a heavy heart)
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. Sob. This is goodbye, for now.
- 10:00 AM: Check out.
- 1:00 PM: Airplane home.
- 4:00 PM: The Goa Hangover. The real one. The one that hits you when you're back to reality and the memories are hitting you like the waves of the coastline.
Final Thoughts:
Goa is a glorious, chaotic, delicious, slightly-overwhelming, place. It’s not perfect. It’s often messy. But it’s real. And in that reality, there's a magic that gets under your skin and makes you want to stay forever. Sol De Goa itself is a charming little hotel, and a perfect home-base for this adventure.
Next Time: More curry. More beaches. No scooters. And maybe, just maybe, a tiny bit of inner peace.
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