Taj Exotica Reviews

If you travel with Kuoni it will be via Monarch Airlines upgrading is well worth the extra cost.

This hotel is fantastic with great grounds and very fiendly and helpfull staff ranging from the Reception through the restaurant and bar staff to the gardeners and security staff.

The only complaint we have is the prices charged in the hotel which by local standards is very expensive because of which many of the guests eat and drink in local bars abd restaurants.

There is a 9 hole par 3 golf course. I Dave had three rounds with Johnston one of the profesionals from whom I learnt more about my short game than from all the UK profesionals I have paid over the years.

We have read in some of the reviews that people are wary of eating in the beach bars dont be one or both of us had at least a sandwich in 4 of them. Jacons, Sun and Moon and JDs all found to your right when you get to the beach. To the left is Zumbais where the staff said no problem when we did not have enough money on us to pay for lunch. That evening we went back for supper at a cost of 275 rupies = about £3.50 including drinks, one of the drinks was a double gin and tonic of 50p in the hotel the same drink cost £4.00 yes it was the same make of gin.

The best place to eat is Jacons Restaurant only 10 mins walk from the front gate of the hotel (the shop keepers and taxi drivers are not to persistant) One evening we had Jumbo Prawns to start and a whole Red Snapper for the main meal with three drinks each for a total of about £15 to £18. Fish is charged by weight and is brought on a tray for you to chose before it is cooked.

I say again all these places are safe to eat the only time either of us had any tummy trouble was whilst on the Taj Tour in Northern India where we were eating in hotels all the time.

Goa is still a nightmare to get to as the only direct from UK flights are chartered, but there should be a health warning on flying so far in such cramped conditions. The Airbus 330 is a big plane but Monarch pack 'em in and our knees were sore when we got there 9 hours later, the leg room is ridiculously short.

having got over that,the transfer to the Taj is only 40mins. It is one of the newer hotels and absolutely luxurious. The standard rooms are massive, air conditioning is perfect, two huge beds and even the bathroom is divided into 3 areas. They are beautifully furnished. satellite TV shows Indian , American and BBC World TV. Although there are villas in the grounds i fail to see how they can be any better than standard rooms, they are as good as any we have ever stayed in anywhere.the lobby and public areas are unbelievable, sumptious and tasteful.

The 4 restaurants are excellent but food and drink are roughly at UK prices, overpriced by local standards.The standard of service is excellent, there must be one staff per guest!For the best of both worlds, use the hotel facilities for the luxury you expect and pay for but go out and use the local beach shacks and restaurants for that 'local'experience, you won't believe how cheap it is.

parts of Goa are still 3rd world so be prepared when you venture into the towns. you can if you wish simply chill out at the hotel and lie at the pool and on the beach. the hotel is quiet at night but its not the type of place where you would expect to have a 'rave' anyway.We will certainly be going back to the Taj Exotica