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Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

3.5 star property
Panaji family-friendly hotel with restaurant

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
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February 2025

Photo gallery for Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

Beach nearby
Property grounds
Pool
Exterior
Premier Room | View from room

Reviews

7.6 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

  • Childcare
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Pool
  • Non-smoking
  • Free parking
  • Air conditioning
Main amenities
  • Housekeeping once per stay
  • Near the beach
  • Restaurants
  • Breakfast available
  • Children's pool
  • Room service
  • Babysitting
  • Terrace
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Garden
  • Arcade/games room
For families
  • Children stay free
  • Cots/infant beds (surcharge)
  • Babysitting services
  • Children's pool
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available
  • Private bathroom

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 4 of 4 rooms

View all photos for Suite, 1 Bedroom

Suite, 1 Bedroom | Living area | 36-inch LCD TV with cable channels, TV

Suite, 1 Bedroom

Highlights

Balcony
Separate sitting area
Individually decorated
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Kitchenette
Fridge
LCD TV
  • 50 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Premier Room

Premier Room | Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, in-room safe, desk

Premier Room

Highlights

Balcony
Separate dining area
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Fridge
LCD TV
Memory foam bed
Blackout curtains
  • 41 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Single Beds

View all photos for Penthouse, 2 Bedrooms

Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, in-room safe, desk

Penthouse, 2 Bedrooms

Highlights

Balcony
Separate dining area
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
Kitchenette
Fridge
LCD TV
  • 93 sq m
  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Deluxe Compact Room

Premium bedding, memory-foam beds, in-room safe, desk

Deluxe Compact Room

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Connecting rooms available
LCD TV
Memory foam bed
Blackout curtains
Ceiling fan
Premium bedding
  • 21 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 1 Single Bed

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About the area

Map
Vainguinim Beach, Panaji, Goa, 403004

What's nearby

  • Vainguinim Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Goa University - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Dona Paula Jetty - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Deltin Royale Casino - 9 min drive - 7.1 km
  • Dona Paula Beach - 11 min drive - 2.3 km

Getting around

  • Dabolim Airport (GOI) - 45 min drive
  • Goa (GOX-New Goa Intl.) - 63 min drive
  • Cansaulim Verna Station - 28 min drive
  • Karmali Station - 32 min drive
  • Thivim Station - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Padaria Prazeres, Panaji - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taleigao Community Center - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Goan Room - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Bay 15, Oxcel Beach - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Baskin Robbins - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

When you stay at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of Deltin Royale Casino. Freebies such as WiFi and self-parking are added perks, and guests looking to stay active can experience the nearby parasailing and waterskiing. Other highlights include a children's pool, a terrace and a garden.

Languages

English, Hindi

At a glance

DONE

Hotel size

    • 30 rooms
    • Arranged over 3 floors
DONE

Arriving/Leaving

    • Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 11:30 PM
    • Express check-in/out available
    • Minimum check-in age – 18
    • Check-out time is 11:00 AM
DONE

Special check-in instructions

    • Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival
    • This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
    • To register at this property, guests who are Indian citizens must provide a valid photo identity card issued by the Government of India; travelers who are not citizens of India must present a valid passport and visa.
DONE

Required at check-in

    • Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
    • Government-issued photo ID may be required
    • Minimum check-in age is 18
DONE

Children

    • Children (5 years old and younger) stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room using existing bedding
    • Babysitting
    • Supervised childcare
DONE

Pets

    • Pets not allowed
WIFI

Internet

    • Free WiFi in public areas
    • Free WiFi in rooms
LOCAL_PARKING

Parking

    • Free on-site self-parking
    • Free off-site parking within 328 ft
DONE

Other information

    • Smoke-free property

Property amenities

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast (surcharge) each morning 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
  • Restaurant
  • Room service (limited hours)

What to do

  • Beach nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Waterskiing nearby
  • Scooter/moped hire nearby

Services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Dry cleaning/laundry services
  • Pool loungers

Facilities

  • 3 buildings/towers
  • Built in 2009
  • Safe-deposit box at front desk
  • Garden
  • Terrace
  • Arcade/games room

Room amenities

Be entertained

  • 36-inch LCD TV
  • Cable TV channels

Home comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Iron/ironing board (on request)

Sleep well

  • Blackout curtains
  • Premium bedding
  • Memory-foam mattress
  • Cot/infant bed (surcharge)
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

What to enjoy

  • Balcony

Freshen up

  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall shower heads
  • Shower only
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer (on request)
  • Towels

Stay connected

  • Desk
  • Free WiFi
  • Phone

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water

More

  • Housekeeping (once per stay)
  • In-room safe
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms available

Fees & policies

Optional extras

  • Buffet breakfast is offered for an extra charge of approximately INR 550 per person
  • Late checkout can be arranged for an extra charge

Children & extra beds

  • In-room babysitting is available for an extra charge
  • Cots/infant beds are available for an extra charge
  • Rollaway beds are available for an additional charge

Pool, spa, & gym (if applicable)

  • Children under 12 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision

Policies

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms. These are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
This property does not have lifts.
This property accepts credit cards. Cash is not accepted.
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property. The policies listed are provided by the property.

Also known as

Hotel Retreat
Hotel Sandalwood
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Dona Paula
Sandalwood Hotel Retreat
Sandalwood Retreat
Sandalwood Retreat Dona Paula
Sandalwood Hotel Retreat Dona Paula
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Goa/Dona Paula
Sandalwood Hotel And Retreat
Sandalwood Hotel Retreat
Sandalwood & Retreat Panaji
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Hotel
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Panaji
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Hotel Panaji

Frequently asked questions

Does Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Is there a pool at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
Yes, there's a children's pool.
Are pets allowed at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
Yes, there's free self parking.
What are the check-in and check-out times at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 11:30 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM. Late check-out is available for a charge. Express check-in and check-out are available.
Is there an on-site casino at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
No, this hotel doesn't have a casino, but Deltin Royale Casino (9-min drive) and Casino Paradise (12-min drive) are both nearby.
What is there to do at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat and nearby?
Have fun with nearby activities such as parasailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. Enjoy amenities such as an arcade and a garden.
Are there restaurants at or near Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?
Yes, there's an on-site restaurant.
Does Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat have any outdoor private spaces?
Yes, every room features a balcony.
What's the area around Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat like?
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat is a short 19-minute walk from Goa University and 3 minutes' walk from Vainguinim Beach.

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

8.0/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Staff & service

5.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Poor

This hotel is overpriced given its very mediocre facilities. Major drawback: the only option to move around was to use the only taxi driver made available by the hotel, who was charging 2 to 3 times the normal rate and proved unreliable. Foreign tourists should avoid this hotel.
Patrick, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Yash, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

The room was large and had more space than expected. It was clean also. However, there was a kitchen with no cutlery or plates. The restaurant was okay but empty throughout. The bar wasn't open. There were no sunbeds around the pool. There were advertised sunbeds on the beach but these didnt exist. The nearby beach is essentially a private beach for the guests in the neighbouring 5 star hotels. This means you cant use any pf the facilities on the beach (cafe, bar, sunlounger) unless you are a guest from one of those hotels. There are security guards who escort you off the property even when enquiring if the restaurant/bars are open to non-guests. The nearest shops and restaurants are 30 minute walk up out of the valley and into Dona Paula so it is not ideal unless you have your own transport. The reception staff, when asked if they could book us a taxi, simply gave us the mobile number for a taxi company and refused to assist in arranging. The same goes for laundry. We enquired about the laundry, were given a mobile number of someone who no longer works in laundry and when we explained this was now the case they shrugged their shoulders as if that was the solution. Overall not a great hotel. It is not 4 star, probably 3 at best.
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Good stay
It was a good place but the place wasnt in actual Panji. The hotel is split by 2 brother's and the pool belongs to the other half. The actual hotel room was large.
Rudra, 3-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

2/10 Poor

Most Pathetic Hotel
Terrible hotel rather it’s not a hotel it’s a lowest quality of railway she’s with no professionalism and ethics...I would request any one or every one do not book or stay at this hotel as they have no staff ..lowest quality of food and untrained staff to handle the hotel guests . The hotel management has no involvement and have no idea of the word meaning service or hotel or responsibility...
Sanjeev, 3-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Lovely service, food, pool, clean
We were so well cared for and got to know the staff. Clean comfortable rooms, tasty and affordable restaurant. A fantastic bargain. The only take away is it is not a walk to Panjim and cabs can be pricey—but you’re next to the nicest cleanest beach in town.
Arica, 8-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

santosh, 1-night business trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Fabulous authentic Goan food. Walking distance to a small, quiet beach.
Rach, 3-night trip
Verified Wotif guest review

6/10 Good

Very noisy neighbours made for an unpleasant stay. Rooms were great for the price. Gym equipment wasn't great. Not the best location but it is walking distance from the beach and nearby Cidade Resort. All in all,
2-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review

6/10 Good

It is difficult to find from Google Map. Also Collier food with less options for order. Far away from famous beaches. However nice breakfast
4-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Nice Hotel with Amenities
We were in Goa for just 4 nights, and wanted a nice hotel with some facilities and amenities (pool, spa, restaurant, etc...). Sandalwood Retreat was perfect for us, while it isn't a 5-star hotel, it was a nice, affordable alternative close to our Where we wanted to be. Would strongly recommend it, keeping in mind it is nice, simple place with attentive staff.
KSK, 3-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Relaxing
Enjoyed our stay. Nothing much in the immediate area. Beach almost deserted. Sunbeds and umbrellas there. Free shuttle into town every day. Nice pool. Breakfast good. Restaurant good, Phillip the head waiter very helpful and good English. Good place to chill out and relax. Nothing hectic here.
Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

Adequate, but not recommended
A very modest hotel. Some pleasant features, but rooms could be cleaner and more up to date. I asked several times for the AC to be fixed; it didn't happen. Requests seem to get lost in translation. A bit in the middle of nowhere, and the beach - 4 minute brisk walk away - not as nice as Miramar. A bit overpriced for the quality of the hotel. All in all, it is ok, but I wouldn't recommend
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

Clean hotel, but expensive commute
The stay wasn't worth the money, especially because we spent a lot of money on commuting to and from beaches. The travel desk at the hotel was overcharging us just because there were no other cabbies available in the vicinity of the hotel. The hotel is fine if you intend to stay within the resort with kids. I wouldn't pay the same amount again for going there, especially because of the experience with the travel desk
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

Ok place. Nice staff.
Lengthy check in process. Too many rules and regulations all laid out on a sheet of A4 paper. Not too impressed to begin with but then a couple of the staff made us feel welcome. Pradeep the guy in the restaurant befriended us and made us feel at home. Philip was great, a well travelled man on cruise ships for many years, he know what hospitality means. No view from our balcony. Asked for slippers but were not complimentary we had to pay. Hotel In the middle of nowhere so not much to do.
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Family emergency
I had to go to Goa for a family member who was in a hospital near the hotel. The staff, especially the bellhops and those in the SeaPearl, were exceptional. The food was also outstanding although I don't recommend the malai kofta. Anyway, thank you Phillip and all the friendly young men who work in the restaurant.
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

Nice hotel, great breakfast buffet.
The beach was disappointing. Silt water, river beach, not like the other white sand beaches in south Goa. Quiet and uncrowded but still disappointing. The three minute walk to the 'beach' was along trash and stagnant, bad smelling backwaters.
Verified Expedia guest review

6/10 Good

nice stay
Their phone was not reachable. Somehow i found a driver who knows the area little bit and found address with help of Google maps. Staff and services were good .
Verified Expedia guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Only beach Hotel
It is too far away from the city, No buses
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Nice Hotel Close to Beach
Overall very happy with the stay. Nice comfortable rooms, with great amenities. Only thing lacking is a good children's play area. Beach is close by.
Verified Expedia guest review

8/10 Very good

Verified Hotels.com guest review

4/10 Fair

You get what you pay for
Pros: friendly and helpful a staff. Cons: spotty wifi, dirty bathrooms, power outages, 2 star feel to the rooms. If you get a top floor room it could be nicer. My friends room had mold and he broke out into hives. They let him change rooms but mold... The staff were around the friendliest of all the hotels we've been to and seem to care about good service. The only saving grace. When I was there there were lots of kids running around. It's off and far away from a lot of things and the beach is a 5 min walk from the hotel. It isn't directly part of the premises like I originally thought. The price was a value so I didn't expect too much. I didn't take a shower in my room the whole time i stayed... I ended up sneaking over to one of the nicer resorts via the beach on my stay for an upgraded experience.
Verified Hotels.com guest review

8/10 Very good

Wonderful experience
A beautiful resort for a short getaway. They served a good selection of items for the buffet breakfast. The staff was very hospitable in attending to us.
Verified Expedia guest review

2/10 Poor

Worst hotel stay I have had in a very long time
I am not sure what previous positive reviews were based on, but I just returned from a stay at the Sandalwood and most aspects of our stay there were terrible. From forgetting our airport transfer and leaving us stranded after midnight at the airport, to losing one of our reservations, to damaged furniture and equipment in the room, to a negative experience with the tour desk and a small beach that is full of garbage much of the time, I would not recommend staying at this hotel. I would suggest another resort that is further north or south of the city of Panji and has better trained staff.
Verified Hotels.com guest review

10/10 Exceptional

Excellent Stay
We went for a rotary conference with our friends. I had booked 2 rooms but there was some problem and the booking showed only 1 room. The staff was however very good and upgraded us to a suite which was very good.The breakfast menu was also very good.
Verified Hotels.com guest review