The Park Calangute Goa — Hotel in Goa

I wish I could give it negative stars or 0 stars, but Google doesn't allow it. I also wish I had read the reviews before booking, but alas, I got taken in by 'The Park' brand.

This is a 2* star hotel (maybe a 3* on a good day), which is using 'The Park' brand to fool people. I have no clue why Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels (operating 'The Park' chain) has lent its name to this property.

So, let's begin: the hotel is a tiny 2* grade hotel. Has no sports facilities (not even a small carrom board or TT table, etc), lobby is dismal and small (probably about 10 feet by 15 feet), swimming pool is a glorified baby/toddler pool (about 1-1.1m deep and around 15 feet in length and 10 feet in width), the rooms are tiny with strange design/decor (toilet and bathroom are separate with a small, semi-transparent partition door separating it from the room - like the public toilets at airports, washbasin area is part of the room), balcony is 1 feet away from the next property (so, is effectively of no use) and having to keep the balcony door closed means there is no ventilation.

For 2 days, the room was not cleaned/serviced until 4.30pm when I had to specifically ask the reception to get my room cleaned.

Check-out/final bill settlement was a joke. The reception is only staffed during normal working hours. I had an early morning to catch, and hence wanted to settle the bill the previous night. However, this was not possible as the reception staff who can settle final bills are only available during day/early evening times. Moreover, as an excuse, I was told that the staff had to carry out a 'mini-bar usage verification' and wanted their staff to enter the room after midnight - so, I decided it was best to do the final settlement in the morning (at the risk of getting delayed).

I have stayed in several chains (Taj, Marriott, Hilton, ITC, Sheraton, Hyatt, RItz, HOliday Inn, Novotel, IBIS, etc) and, being a frequent traveler for business and leisure, stayed several thousands of nights in hotels. By far, this was my worst experience. In fact, I rue the day I decided to book this hotel, despite other chains (such as Taj, Marriott, Novotel, etc) being available at a cheaper rate - I thought of paying the higher rate to be near the beach, expecting the property to be similar to the other Park properties (in Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc) or other branded hotels. Fair play - the only good thing is that the hotel is on the beach, so a good location.

Despite complaining to the GM of the hotel, it was unfortunate that the GM not only failed to reach out to me, but also failed to acknowledge my communication to him - probably did not care as I had already paid while booking the hotel.

Well, thing is, this experience of 'The Park' at Calangute has meant that I will never ever use any of 'The Park' chain properties during my travel (and will be telling my friends, family and colleagues as well) - so, in trying to defraud me (via misrepresentation), The Park has lost several nights of stay at other places.

Strongly advise to not stay here - don't get misled into believing this is a hotel at par with 'The Park' or other such branded...

A Seaside Retreat at The Park Hotel, Calangute, Goa

The Park Hotel, nestled in the heart of Calangute, Goa—is an idyllic destination for those seeking a perfect blend of sun, sea, and relaxation. Let's explore the best aspects of the hotel, highlight areas that could be improved, and touch upon some missed opportunities.

The Best Features: Scenic Location: The Park Hotel boasts a prime sea-facing location, offering guests the luxury of a short stroll to the beach. It's not just a hotel; it's a hop, skip, and jump away from the beautiful sandy shores.

Convenient Shopping: Positioned in the heart of Calangute, the hotel provides convenient access to shopping options, allowing visitors to indulge in the vibrant local market scene.

Ideal for Couples: The romantic ambience makes The Park Hotel an ideal retreat for couples looking to escape and create lasting memories in the serene surroundings of Goa.

Sumptuous Breakfast: Guests are treated to a complimentary breakfast that goes beyond the ordinary, with a plethora of options to satisfy every palate. And for those seeking a little extra, vodka shots add a delightful touch.

Reasonably Priced In-Room Amenities: The in-room snacks and drinks come at reasonable prices, ensuring that guests can enjoy a bit of indulgence without breaking the bank.

Lively Atmosphere: The hotel attracts a good crowd, creating a vibrant atmosphere, especially around the beach area. The clean beach adds to the overall appeal.

Areas for Improvement: Traffic Woes: A minor inconvenience is the narrow passage for cars to access the hotel gate. While not a deal-breaker, it's worth noting for those traveling with larger vehicles.

Ventilation Concerns: Some guests may find the rooms a bit lacking in airiness. This could be a consideration for those who prioritize well-ventilated accommodations.

Room Size Matters: While perfect for couples, those opting for the Deluxe room might find it a tad cramped. Families may want to consider the larger room options for a more comfortable stay.

Untapped Opportunities: Diverse Dining Experiences: Though unexplored by the reviewer due to perceived expense, the hotel's food offerings could potentially provide a delightful culinary experience. Future guests might want to venture into the on-site dining options.

Swimming Pool Oasis: While the pool wasn't tried during this visit, it remains a potential haven for relaxation and recreation, especially for those looking to unwind on-site.

Conclusion: The Park Hotel in Calangute, Goa, offers couples and beach enthusiasts a delightful escape. With its picturesque location, varied amenities, and vibrant atmosphere, it earns a commendable 4 out of 5 rating. As with any destination, there are minor areas for improvement, but overall, it promises a memorable stay in the tropical...

Stayed here for 5 Nights (3 Night in Luxury room & 2 Night in Deluxe Suites)

Complete details here:

About booking: I had difficulty contacting the reservation team over phone, but the website was working for online booking(prices are high), but I wanted to ask for a better price or deal as I was planning for 5nights. I later checked in MakeMyTrip & found the price was cheaper compared to the park booking website.

Reaching hotel: The hotel taxi charge ₹2,500 for airport pickup/drop, however the taxi stand ones charge approx ₹1,500.

Front desk: They respond to all your queries quickly either via phone call or direct. I interacted with Ameer for all my queries, very helpful but the reference we get through hotel are slightly over priced compared to others(like for Cab booking/ bike rental / adventure activities / water sports/ cruise dinner etc)

About rooms : I booked had booked the deluxe room. Early checkin is not free until it’s just an hour or 30 mins, I reached around 7AM & had to pay half room rate. The deluxe rooms are small & has no balcony, the deluxe room which we got was seriously dirty on the walls, smelly & moisture, I immediately asked for an upgraded room (Luxury rooms) for which I had to pay additional ₹1,000 per night , these are bigger rooms with balcony (facing other property - no privacy but useful for drying cloths) For the last 2 days I further upgraded my room to the Deluxe Suites (Recommended), these are the higher category rooms (Very Spacious rooms & bathroom, Big balcony facing the sea & pool, bath tub, just 2 rooms available) Whichever room you choose I felt the floors are slightly slippery when wet. Overall the property requires a renovation for sure !

Restaurant & food :

The restaurant staff are very polite & proactively reach to you & offer assistance /take order. In room dining the food taste is best (But priced high). Breakfast buffet has good amount of food choices. We travelled with a 5 year old kid & the restaurant did prepare kid friendly food on request.

Pool & Beach: Pool is small but well maintained, has kids pool integrated in the same. Beach is rite in front of the hotel, this part of the beach is generally less crowded. Calangute is like 15-20 mins walk along the beach.

The adjacent hotels or buildings are so close to this one making it not so private.

Big positive is just the location - The hotel is right in the beach, you step out of the restaurant you will be...