The Citadel Hotel

This review is for the excellent service provided by Sooram at Citadel hotel. I came there for a dinner with my family. Sooram was polite, courteous, and made our dinner very comfortable. He was extremely soft-spoken and served the delicious dinner before time. I am looking forward to coming to Citadel in the future too :)

The hotel is old and have probably been renovated recently. However, we came to know that the restaurant at the hotel was serving good food under new management and decided to drop in for lunch.
The hotel building in non descript and the restaurant is located on the first floor. The restaurant was not much crowded and the overall ambiance was cozy. The cleanliness was average and service was bit relaxed.
We ordered typical Goan Fish Thali, which was good and comparable with the Thali offered by specialty Goan Restaurants.

very cooperative staff n polite too.... tasty and cheap food and lodging.....we had fish thali in just Rs:80...they had arranged vehicle to travel in goa for us tht to also in very reasonable rate....the citadel hotel is very close to the railway station and Goa Airport also.....

Vasco Da Gama in Goa is not a typical tourist spot but a true representation of life in Goa, where the locals go out of their way to be genuinely helpful but can’t resist robbing you blind at the same time. Bartering is a great way to keep hold of your money and lifts the atmosphere with laughter. The buses are cheap and a great way to travel as is a scooter with a IDP for as little as £4 a day but not for the faint hearted as the Indians don’t understand indicator, lights or what the line in the middle of the road is for (but you will have fun). Forget about souvenirs in Vasco da Gama but there are some great markets full of local produce careful not to eat outside the hotels though as we lost a day of our holiday with a bad tum. We stayed at The Citadel where we received an upgrade for no extra cost the first three nights enjoyed great food and service, the downgraded room had extra friends but the water was hot. Be careful not to pay attention to the many dogs that are on the streets as they will follow you everywhere and become protective towards each other (may carry rabies). The poverty is an eye opener and woman are still considered second class citizens by men in uniforms only, police security guards it gives them some power but the people of Goa made us feel welcome and I will always carry a fondness for their hospitality and kindness. A great beach is Baga and very safe to swim with the life guards and some cafes and souvenirs and post cards but you will be followed by the local sellers as in Old Goa but worth a trip to the Portuguese viceroy’s palace and Basilica. Money is difficult as you need to exchange at the airport as you cannot take in or out Indian rupees, we lose quite a bit of money by changing at the bureau, it’s better to change all in one hit and not advisable to use the ATM as they are not compatible with English cards or want to put the money on your phone. Last of all if you are breaking up the flight by transferral from Mumbai (Bombay) be prepared to wait something like an hour and half in the airports through immigration men and woman are separated to be searched.

I came to know about the hotel from a website, the reviews were okay and it was near to the airport, so I booked.
It took them 15 mins for check in and when I reached to the room, there was no packed water. The person who came with me to the room , placed two bottles of water in used plastic bottles.
Room was not cleaned, WC was dirty and tea kettle was having cockroaches inside.
I ordered some stuff from in room dining and the food was pathetic.