Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Hotel
, Varca
Rooms: 202
Reviews - Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Hotel
- Age Group: 26 - 30
- From: India
- Traveller type: Cheap Getaway Holiday Maker
Want to see more hotels? View all hotels in Varca
Historical Traveller Reviews of Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Hotel
Great Holiday Venue
from pramod.mistryWe stayed in a standard room which was sufficient for our needs but the bathroom needed updating which we understand is taking place in Mar 07.
The swimming pools were great. Our two children loved playing in the childs pool and for our stay had the pool to themselves for most the time. The pool bar was a nice retreat to go to when you fancied a light refreshment.
You could not fault the grounds and restaurants. All were very well kept and all staff were always on hand to assist you.
The short walk to the beach was great as we did not have to lug the kids buckets and spades far.
We stayed on a B&B basis and would recommend this as the restaurants are a lot more expensive than the local shacks or restauarants outside the hotel. We frequented the Sunset Village on the beach and they also owned Jollins outside the hotel which served great food. Out daughther made friends with Amanda from the shacks and the kids loved going there.
If you are looking for a relaxing holiday then I would recommend the Ramada. The kids really enjoyed themselves and want to come back next year.
nice hotel ... rennovation works are going on though
from captainsimonbreakfast was well done as the All Inc packages are worth going for as there is not much nearby (and you need to be careful where you eat nearby - the manager said not all restaurants have running water - not good for staying healthy!!) Food generally is excellent, expecially in the 'posh' Indian restaurant (where you can eat once a week as part of the All Inc)
we were very annoyed they decided to do rennovations over christmas and were banging until after 11pm most nights (it took 3 calls to the manager to get them to stop). May be worth checking this before you stay- saying that if you get a new room (301-314 are being done now), they are really really nice.
DO NOT go on the Caravela Casion boat ---- it takes 2.5hrs to get there and back and its rubbish. food is awful and the casino minimum stakes are quite high (e.g to bet on red or black on the Roullette the min. stake is £12!) ... you would have more fun at the hotel. We also went to the Flee Market (20 mins north of the hotel) and I would give this a miss ... more mosquitos than people there!
Apart from that its a good place - the waiter service is very slow, but thats just the Indians I think, it took 30 mins sometimes to get a round of drinks delivered to the beach.
oh, dont pre-book transfers - its only £7 to get a cab from the airport to the hotel if you go to the pre-paid taxi rank when you get there. Each cab is good for 2 people and luggage
Very Relaxing Time
from docmaggiemayThe flight
Utter utter rubbish. We thought Monarch were bad but Thomson were much worse. The worst flight I have ever been on, in every way. One drinks service in a 10 hour flight is unacceptable.
The hotel.
The hotel was lovely, although there were a few problems with getting us in the correct room - we had to move 3 times in the first 3 days. We had paid for an upgraded room, but the first night they put us in a standard room (I think this was the fault of Thomson though as they sent the wrong information, not the hotel). The next room they put us in was in the part of the hotel that is currently being renovated and it was very noisy. Our rep was actually very good about this, noticed what had happened and told the hotel to move us again without us even asking. Eventually we ended up in a very superior room - a 'Villa' as they call it, which was lovely. Large, airy and with a good terrace. We also had fruit every day.The rooms were spotlessly clean. There was still building work going on near the room though.
The hotel grounds were well kept, with gardens with lots of plantsand there was a small golf course that you walked through on the way to the beach. The pool was large and clean, with some sunbeds around - unfortunately some selfish people reserved these with towels and then spent all day on the beach. We actually did mange to get beds every day, but it was very quiet. I think if you went at a busier time of year you might have a problem.
Food
We were B+B, and this is what I would recommend as the AI option is expensive. There are several restaurants in the hotel, and they were fine, but in comparison to the local places they were quite expensive. We did like the Carnaval restaurant - excellent Indian cuisine - and the head waiter Joao was extremely helpful. He gave me the recipe for a dish I really enjoyed and even went to the market to buy the appropriate spice mix for me.
Other than that, we ate outside the hotel. There were 3 restaurants just at the front of the hotel, Jolinns was good but very quiet, and Agnelos had good Thai food. There were also several beach shacks all of which were excellent, not much to choose between all of them really. Anything else requires a taxi ride. Goan Village in Cavellossim is better than Mikes place next door, Martins corner the other way was also good. Don't worry about eating at the shacks, the food is safe and very fresh, they only cook to order so its all fresh and hot.
BEWARE - Alcoholic drinks at the hotel are very expensive - about 150 rupees (nearly £3) for a beer, when the standard price anywhere else is 50 or 60. They did have a buy one get one free offer at the beach bar though, which made it cheaper. Don't buy water at the hotel - all the shacks will sell you a bottle to take away.
There is a nightclub and a casino at the hotel. We never saw anyone go in them the whole time we were there.
The area
SMALL WARNING. The hotel is in a very isolated position which means it is peaceful, but you do have to get taxis anywhere if you want to get out. The taxis are extortonately priced for India as they have some scam going (we were told they are controled by the local mafia), but the drivers are good, and not too crazy . Unfortunately you have no choice but to pay the hotel prices as they don't allow other drivers to come near the hotel to pick up.
The main town Margao is about 15 mins drive away and it has good shopping, The local village has some shops including a bank and a pharmacy. There is a good tailor - Ismail at Dianas Tailor, who made me some excellent clothes. Lizas which is the main place they try to take you in the taxis is a big shop and a lot more expensive. Cavelossim about 15 mins away down the coast has more 'tourist' type shopping.
Betty's Place (just south of Cavellosim ) does a fantastic and very relaxing boat trip which is excellent and much better than the rep or hotel trips. 750 rupees (£10) each for the whole day includes dolphin watching, a trip up the backwaters/river, lunch and as much beer or G+T as you like. Watch out though, they fill up your glass constantly so you don't realise how much you have drunk!
South Goa is much quieter than the north, no nightclubs etc and mostly the nightlife is eating out. This suited us pefectly, but if you want something livelier, try North Goa instead.
If you want to go further afield, Old Goa, the waterfalls, Anjuna, the spice plantations and the temples are all worth it. Don't do a trip from your rep though, you can get exactly the same thing half the price if you organise it yourself with a taxi driver.
All in all, we had a fantastic time, and would highly recommend it.
Brilliant!
from LancashireLass-TAThe Staff are friendly and helpful, food is good (although we usually only ate breakfast in the Hotel). Can recommend the Carnival Restaurant though. The pool and surrounding area is great and this year they even have a jaccuzzi!
Don't be put off by the girls selling goods on the beach. They do try to get you to buy, but usually once you have said 'No' then they leave you alone.
If you want to eat outside the Hotel then you should try Sunset Paradise, one of the shacks on the beach. Food is excellent and the owners Jennifer and Izi will make you feel very welcome. They also own Jolinns Restaurant just outside the Hotel, again, the food and the service is first class!
Good hotel
from brewersfriendWe tended to eat out in the evenings, all required a taxi.
Betty's place,(10 mins)Our fav.!
Mikes place (10 mins)
and Martins corner (20 mins)
Not all the shacks were up and running when we were there. Sea Breeze (10/15 mins walk left on the beach) was very cheap and good..
perfect relaxing hotel
from andandlorWe stayed in a superior pool view room. It was spacious, well appointed and the air con was very welcome at the end of a day. The pool area has plenty of loungers, but, as seems to be all too common these days, there were some sad people who got up at first light around 6.30 to get their towels out. However, there are loads more loungers in the gardens and again on the beach so no-one went without. We went on Band B basis and ,while the hotel does offer an all inclusive package, I would say go B and B. While all of the five restaurants looked very good, and breakfast was excellent,they weren't cheap. Anyway eating in the beach shacks on the beautiful beaches with the ocean in front of you is what Goa is about. There is a good little 9 hole golf course and bikes for hire. The hotel also has an Ayruvedic treatment centre where we had an absolutely fantastic massage.
This is a great place for adults looking for a chilling holiday but, apart from the shacks there is nothing much around the hotel. Also, apart from the night club and casino on site, all the hotel bars and restaurants were shut by 11 at night. While this helps avoid any late night disturbance, a quiet night cap had to be taken early.
Shops and bars are a short taxi ride away and there is nothing much in the hotel to entertain children.
Coming home, we were delayed 22 hours but the hotel staff were fine about us keeping our room and having to spend yet another day lying on the beach and swimming in the Arabian sea was no real hardship!
Overall I'd say if you are a bit of a Hilton hippy and want to see Goa but come back to a bit of luxury, air con and a pool side G and T you will have to go a long way to beat the Caravela.
Great Taxi Driver !
from A TripAdvisor MemberParadise
from A TripAdvisor MemberMy 60th birthday celebration
from dragonflymajorJohn Woodworth
Cheslyn Hay
Staffs
disappointing
from sallyIpswichSuffolkFood was good but repetative and we won't be eating curry for a long time. Not much choice for children or those that prefer european food. However, the best food was the breakfast try to have an omelette or two from NOEL, he really is very nice.
On the whole staff were friendly and thanks to Susannah (the duty manager) who really did try to sort out all our problems.I don't think we will be going back to Goa.
Top Local Tips for Varca
water sports well.....i have chosen to go there in monsoon coz i have already experienced the other seasons but in monsoons u can not do water sports n even there is not much to do there as bcoz of monsoon there is no shopping nowhere to go. but it is a very romantic experince to go in monsoon specially for newly married couples.
Anthony the Taxi Driver Anthony is one of the taxi drivers from outside the hotel and he was fab he took us on nearly all of our trips and waited with us, apparently as you will have read from other reviews these taxis are run by the Goan Mafia, Anthony told us this was no true and he offered the info freely we did not ask him about this. Others have said the taxis outside the hotel are more expensive than in other parts of Goa. The Ramada however is a really nice hotel and the taxis have a set pricing structure which is set out in the hotel reception. The prices were still really cheap even with airconditioning.
Weather Went to Goa 9th April -16th April. Weather was amazing every single day. No rain even though we were coming to the end of the season. Average temperature was 37c water temperature 29c. Very hot. Commual area such as restaurants, foyer have no air conditioning, although the bedrooms do.
- (hotels)

Other names for Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Hotel
- salcette ramada
- ramada salcette
- ramada caravela beach resort
- ramada caravela beach hotel
- Address: Varca Village Fatrade - Varca - 403 721 - India
- Loading Image...
- Loading Image...
- Loading Image...
- Loading Image...
- (hotels)

Hotels Near Ramada Caravela Beach Resort Hotel
- Holiday Inn Resort Goa Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 3.1 km / 1.9 mi
- Taj Exotica Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 3.9 km / 2.4 mi
- Resort Dona Sylvia Hotel Margao, India Distance: 4.6 km / 2.9 mi
- The Leela Goa Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 6.3 km / 3.9 mi
- Nanutel Margao Hotel Margao, India Distance: 7.9 km / 4.9 mi
- Resorte Marinha Dourada Hotel Bardez, India Distance: 8.8 km / 5.4 mi
- Nanu Resort Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 9.6 km / 5.9 mi
- Coconut Grove Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 9.8 km / 6.1 mi
- Aston Inn Tuban Hotel Kuta, Indonesia Distance: 5266.7 km / 3272.6 mi
- Majorda Beach Resort Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 11.7 km / 7.3 mi
- The Kenilworth Beach Resort Hotel Salcete, India Distance: 12.5 km / 7.8 mi
- Varca Palms Beach Resort Hotel Varca, India Distance: 13.2 km / 8.2 mi
- Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa Hotel Cansaulim, India Distance: 13.5 km / 8.4 mi
- Club Mahindra Varca Beach Hotel Varca, India Distance: 20.2 km / 12.5 mi
- Bogmallo Beach Resort Hotel Bogmallo Beach, India Distance: 20.8 km / 12.9 mi
-
Holiday Inn Resort Goa Hotel Asia Pacific, India, Salcete Distance: 3.1 km / 1.9 mi View Hotel Page
-
Taj Exotica Hotel Asia Pacific, India, Salcete Distance: 3.9 km / 2.4 mi View Hotel Page
-
Resort Dona Sylvia Hotel Asia Pacific, India, Margao Distance: 4.6 km / 2.9 mi View Hotel Page
-
The Leela Goa Hotel Asia Pacific, India, Salcete Distance: 6.3 km / 3.9 mi View Hotel Page






