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Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

3.5 star property
Family-friendly hotel with 24-hour front desk and restaurant

Photo gallery for Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat

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

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Parking included
  • Room service
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Vainguinim Beach, Panaji, Goa, 403004
  • Vainguinim Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Goa University
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Dona Paula Beach
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Goa (GOI-Dabolim)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Suite, 1 Bedroom

Suite, 1 Bedroom | Living area

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

Premier Room

Highlights

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

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About the area

Panaji

A family-friendly stay in Panaji awaits you at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat. Within a 5-minute stroll you'll find Vainguinim Beach and Goa University within a 20-minute walk. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi, balconies and LCD TVs. .Enjoy the kids' swimming pool and pool loungers. The hotel's restaurant is a nice spot to grab a bite. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas and laundry facilities. Each morning buffet breakfast is served between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .With a stay at this 3.5-property class Panaji hotel, you'll be 22.4 km (13.9 mi) from Baga Beach and 21.2 km (13.2 mi) from Calangute Beach.

What's nearby

  • Vainguinim Beach - 3 min walk
  • Goa University - 19 min walk
  • Deltin Royale Casino - 9 min drive
  • Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception - 10 min drive
  • Dona Paula Beach - 11 min drive

Getting around

  • Cansaulim Verna Station - 28 min drive
  • Dabolim Airport (GOI) - 45 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

Family-friendly hotel with 24-hour front desk and restaurant
There's a restaurant on site. Public spaces have free WiFi. A children's pool, a terrace, and an arcade/games room are also featured at the family-friendly Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat. Free self parking is available.

This 3.5-star Panaji hotel is smoke free.

  • 30 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • 3 buildings
  • Built in 2009
  • Supervised kid's activities
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Dry cleaning
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Front desk safe
  • Games room or arcade
  • Terrace
  • Garden
  • No smoking on site
  • Dining venue
Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat offers 30 air-conditioned accommodations with a safe and complimentary bottles of water. Rooms open to balconies. Memory foam beds feature premium bedding. 36-inch LCD televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include a shower with a rainfall showerhead, and complimentary toiletries.

This Panaji hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Additionally, rooms include coffee/tea makers and a ceiling fan. An iron/ironing board and hairdryers can be requested. Housekeeping is provided once per stay.

Languages

English, Hindi

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free offsite parking within 100 metres
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Daily buffet breakfast available 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee: INR 550 per person
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's pool

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (once per stay)

Outdoors

  • Garden
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No lift

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Blackout drapes
  • Cot (surcharge)
  • Memory foam mattress
  • Premium bedding
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 36-inch LCD TV with cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 11:30 PM
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
A late check-out fee will be charged
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
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.

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 5 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for INR 2000.
  • Cots (infant beds) are available for INR 1000.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: from approximately INR 550 per person
  • A late check-out fee will be charged
  • Cots (infant beds) are available for an additional fee
  • Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • Children aged 5 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Registered guests are the only ones allowed to be in guestrooms.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is 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

What is the cancellation policy at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

Is parking available at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

Yep, Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

Yep, Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat is a short 3-minute walk from Vainguinim Beach. Fun beach activities include waterskiing, windsurfing and parasailing.

Does Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat have a pool?

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat has a kids' pool. Grab your bathers and lounge poolside while enjoying on a lounger.

Is Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as a children's pool and babysitting services, as well as childcare services and cots/infant beds in the guestrooms, it's no surprise that Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat is a hit with families.

Does Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat serve breakfast?

Yeah, buffet breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

No, Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

Yep, you can grab a meal at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat's onsite restaurant.

What time are check-in & check-out at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat?

No, pets are not allowed.

Sandalwood Hotel & Retreat Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 78 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 24 out of 78 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 17 out of 78 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 78 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 6 out of 78 reviews

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 Terrible

Patrick

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

2/10 Terrible

Yash

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Liam

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service
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.

10/10 Excellent

Rudra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

2/10 Terrible

Sanjeev

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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...
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Arica

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2019

8/10 Good

santosh

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rach, New Zealand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fabulous authentic Goan food. Walking distance to a small, quiet beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort
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,
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
It is difficult to find from Google Map. Also Collier food with less options for order. Far away from famous beaches. However nice breakfast
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2017

10/10 Excellent

KSK, NJ, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

4/10 Poor

Bernard, London

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
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

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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

8/10 Good

Stephen, Hong kong

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
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.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

8/10 Good

Esther, TX

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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 .

10/10 Excellent

Xueming, Shenyang ,China

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Only beach Hotel
It is too far away from the city, No buses

10/10 Excellent

Anand

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

8/10 Good

Sreekumar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

4/10 Poor

Ryan, Seattle

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

8/10 Good

shriprakash, Hyderabad

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
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.

10/10 Excellent

RAJIV, Pune

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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.