Art Resort Goa — Hotel in Goa

Edited my review with comments for the owners reply at the end

This is an extremely racist place. I would not recommend any Indian to visit this place, and any foreign tourist to steer clear of this place if you do not want to promote racism.

Goa is a wonderful place for tourists and Goan people are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people i have met in the country. But this restaurant is the polar opposite of what the entire culture of Goa is, and no matter how good the food is, no matter how good the view is at the restaurant, i could not recommend against going here ever.

I had gone for a vacation to Goa with my wife this October. We had planned to stay at Palolem beach for 3 nights, and to have dinner at a fancy place one of those nights. After doing a lot of planning and research before our trip, we had chosen Art Resort.

We had reached the restaurant at around 8 PM, both of us dressed and looking forward to the dinner. We noticed that compared to the numerous other shacks we had crossed on the way, there were a unusually large proportion of foreigners and very little(almost 0) Indian folks dining at this place. We did not think much of this as it was tourist season and went in.

To our surprise, NOBODY entertained us. NOBODY did us the basic courtesy of even acknowledging us in the first place.

And i know this might sound high and entitled, but its not like i was expecting a showering welcome followed by ushering us to our table, no. EACH and EVERY one of the staff could not even see that we existed amidst them. More so, they completely ignored us even when we asked which table was available for seating and if it was even available.

After 15 mins of following around the floor staff like this, one guy finally decided to acknowledge us, and said that seating was full(even when I could see that there were tables which were empty and unreserved). While we were discussing this, we observed that there was a group of foreigners who came to the restaurant and was ushered in to sit in one of the unreserved tables.(And no, these tables were not reserved for them).

When i raised this, they finally decided to provide a table for us(which was in a distant corner of the restaurant, way away from the rest of the people).

Our ordeal did not just end here. After being seated for 15 mins, we realized that no body had provided us the menu. After 5 more mins of chasing the floor staff, one of them provided us a menu, but by then we were done with the place(knowing that we would have to chase people for 10 mins again to take our order). So we just left the place.

In contrast, all the other shacks all along Palolem beach were happy to entertain us and foreigners alike, and had none of the racist behaviour that Art Resort left us with.

We stayed in Goa for a total of 5 days and had a perfect trip all along, except for this one bitter experience which completely spoiled the night for us. Owners reply: Dear guests , we are sorry about the inconvenience caused 🙏🏼! As mentioned before also in few replies that we only give priority to reservation, it’s right to reservation! It’s also lie here No one came with menu for 15 minutes?? Who has time to seat for 15 minutes and have that much patience in this busy world 🙏🏼! Please book your table before coming to dinner or lunch 🙏🏼! ! Regards Art resort team Dear Owner,

I am a humble tourist with nothing to gain by lying on google reviews about a place which is very far from my city and where i will never go again. It would be better if instead of calling out people as liars, you could actually take some constructive criticism from these reviews(Saw many more reviews similar to mine after posting mine,seems its a common problem with this place). I would start with some sensitivity training for all your staff by letting them know of their racist behavior.

Thanks, Avishek...

Okay hear me out let me tell you a few things honestly here. THIS IS NOT A RESORT , JUST AVERAGE. SUPER BAD EXPERIENCE

Negative points; Rooms are average Interiors are dark and again super average The toilets dont work nicely They entered our ROOM when we were NOT PRESENT So basically they entered to change bedsheets or what not, but ideally they should confirm with guests before doing that or ask guests to leave the keys on reception if cleaning is required, that is how all GOOD resorts it atleast. We were not present and our stuff was just lying in the room,luggage was open and essentials were in the locker which was super flimsy hence we decided not get it cleaned. But still they entered WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION and cleaned it. Pool is very SMALL. Like teeny tiny You will NEVER get the pool table as the owner is always playing there The owner literally came to us while we were playing pool at the table and told us it's not for learners because he was waiting to play. We were a little drunk and were playing now we are not professionals but do know the rules and how to play. When people book resorts they do so that they can have access to facilities. Another day we went to the cafe to playy pool maybe, and it was occupied by other guests so we sat and were waiting but the owner walked it let them know he is the owner and told them he wants to.play next. We didnt want to argue or anything and walked away.

The thing is they have marketed over the resort that pool table is free, but the owner always hogs it up with his Friends. Now if a facility is not available guests won't use it, it being busy with the guests is another thing, but hogging it and telling guests that you are owner is just obnoxious and rude.

RESTAURANT Food is average

Good points The beach They host pottery and waiting sessions which are also accessible through cafe,

Go to the cafe by all means , just dont book it as a resort.

At least you will get better pool and pool tables at other resorts...

This place is just insanely unique! Managed and run by Bhudwan Chandre Padu, you will finish your holidays stay here just feeling like you have been reborn because the whole place exudes the kind of energy that absorbs all the stress that we have to deal with back home. Sitting right on the amazing Palolem beach with sea facing front bungalows and a small intimate quarter of the beach you will not be disappointed- we chose a superior bungalow, one row back from the front just because I wanted some privacy. The rooms and bungalows are spacious and kept immaculately clean. No bugs, cockroaches or any creepy crawlies (like I had on my last trip to Goa 5 years ago) by a squad of seriously attentive staff, all smiling, all friendly in the nicest way. You’re not going to get badgered by staff wanting tips after each drink service or drinks round. Bhudwan makes sure of that. Instead you will genuinely want to tip the staff when you leave, not forced to. Our room was looked after by a beautiful little Indian girl who came and did the room fairies when we were out each day. New towels daily. Fresh water. Bed all made. 100% trustworthy. The breakfasts are superb and they’ll basically make you anything you want from 8 o’clock. The kitchen is open all day and the food we had there during the entire stay was 1st class. Each night the beach is turned into an open air dining room and you will dine under the stars at temperatures around 26-29 degrees. Live music nightly which doesn’t go on all night and keep you awake, just lull you off to asleep and help you get ready for another day of relaxing at Art. Fancy a massage? It’s there. Fancy doing some painting? Speak to Swaroop . He’s there in the morning and I saw kids having just the best time painting and drawing. No hassle. No exams. Delightful to see….. I’m an art teacher in the UK and that makes me happy to see kids being happy with art. The staff here and the location just make this place a 100% success. I can’t name them all but Sanju looked after us in the beach bar and the chef on the tandoor was just amazing. If you have any problems then just find Bhudwan as he’ll be hanging out somewhere looking like an off duty Bollywood star in a white shirt and shades. Am I coming back ? 100%. Thanks guys. ...