Sandalwood Hotel & Suites, Santa Cruz - Reviews, Rooms Options & Prices 2025

Book with us

Up to 10% cheaper

than on Booking.com

Key details

About the Resort

Vainguinim Beach, Santa Cruz, India, 403004

Sandalwood Hotel & Suites is an upper-middle-range resort located in the plush Panjim suburb of Dona Paula, Goa. The resort boasts a unique colonial aesthetic with its three-story yellow buildings, white trim, and red terra-cotta roofs. Its strategic location offers guests a serene yet accessible base to explore the bustling surroundings of Panjim and Goa’s beautiful beaches.

Location

Located just 200 meters from the beach and 300 meters from a casino, the resort enjoys proximity to multiple attractions. Guests can explore nearby landmarks, including Cabo Fort and the Gateway of the Palace of Yusuf Adil Shah, with a free one-way shuttle service to Panjim Market. The convenient location enables easy access to North Goan tourist hotspots like Calangute and Anjuna.

Rooms

The resort features 30 air-conditioned rooms equipped with modern amenities, including flat-screen TVs, small electronic safes, and private balconies. These well-furnished accommodations provide guests with thoughtful touches such as premium bedding, ensuring a restful stay. The rooms cater to various preferences, creating a comfortable haven for all types of travelers.

Eat & Drink

Dining at Sandalwood Hotel & Suites is an experience, with the main restaurant, Upper Coast Cafe, offering a mix of North and South Indian cuisines, alongside some continental selections. Guests can enjoy a free hot breakfast buffet daily, and additional options are available throughout the day, catering to a diverse range of palates.

Leisure & Business

The resort provides various leisure activities and amenities, including a small fitness center and a spa offering massage treatments. Guests can unwind at the outdoor swimming pool or engage in friendly competition at the game room, which features options like carrom and table tennis. Seasonal bars enhance the casual yet entertaining resort atmosphere.

View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

One-Bedroom Apartment

Max:

2 persons

50 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Balcony

room details

Check Prices

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

Explore available ways to reach your dream destination

City Centre

Santa Cruz 2.5 km

Airports

Dabolim (GOI) 26.0 km

Belgaum (IXG) 132.0 km

What our guests says about facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Delicious Dining Experience

The dining experience at Sandalwood Hotel was really good. I particularly enjoyed the buffet breakfast, which offered a good choice of fresh fruits, juices, and traditional dishes like idli and dosa. The restaurant was a very comfortable setting, perfect for enjoying meals at my leisure. I also appreciated the good service during dinner; the food was delicious and reasonably priced.

Paul42. USA, 2024-05-15Read full review on

Spacious and Clean Rooms

My room at Sandalwood was fantastic, spacious, and incredibly clean. It had all the essential features I needed for a comfortable stay, including a good refrigerator. I was especially pleased that the hotel maintained high cleanliness standards throughout my stay.

Elliot88. UK, 2024-07-20Read full review on

Relaxing Pool Area

The pool at Sandalwood was well-maintained and provided a relaxing atmosphere to unwind after a day of exploring. I loved the artificial turf around the pool area, which added a unique touch to my leisure time, and it was clean and well-kept during my visit.

AaronSmith. Canada, 2024-06-10Read full review on

Family-Friendly Amenities

As a family traveler, I found the amenities at Sandalwood very accommodating. The hotel offers a good environment for kids with plenty of greenery and a large pool area. My children enjoyed the pool time while I could relax without worrying about safety, making it a great choice for families.

AmeliaJane. Australia, 2024-08-05Read full review on

What’s included

General

Non-smoking rooms
Free parking
Off-site car park
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
24-hour security
Currency exchange
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Room service
Laundry
Dry cleaning

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Children's pool

Spa & Leisure

Beach access
Sun loungers
Sun terrace

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Location

Vainguinim Beach, Santa Cruz, India, 403004

Map view

Vainguinim Beach, Santa Cruz, India, 403004

City landmarks

Dona Paula Jetty Road

Dona Paula View Point

2.8 km

Beside The Old Secretariat Building

Statue of Abbe Faria

920 m

Mandovi Waterfronts Inside the Compound of St. Cajetan's Church

Gateway of the Palace of Yusuf Adil Shah

920 m

MG Road Near Goa Police Headquarter

Azad Maidan

920 m

Narve Village Near Konkan Area

Saptakoteshwar Temple

920 m

Near Pilar Hillock

Pilar Museum

920 m

Up Hill - Behind St. Cajeton's Church Old Goa

Our Lady of Monte Chapel

920 m

Near Central Library

Institute Menezes Braganza

920 m

Avenida Dom Joao de Castro

Indian Customs & Central Excise Museum

920 m

Church

Royal Chapel of St Anthony

920 m

Church

Our Lady of the Rosary Church

1.3 km

Taleigao Village

Goa University

2.3 km

Near Verna Plateau

Kesarval Spring

1.6 km

Church

Chapel of St Lawrence

1.5 km

9 Km From Panaji

Cabo Fort

1.7 km

Porvorim Town

Pinto De Rosario Mansion

920 m

M. G. Road Opp. Club National

Azulejos de Goa

920 m

Taluka - Canacona Near the Palolem Beach

Pandava's Drum

920 m

Church

Cabo Chapel

920 m

Statue of General Dr Miguel Caetano Dias

920 m

Riverside

The Secretariat

920 m

Church

Church Of St Anne At Talaulim

920 m

Archbishop's House

Kristu Kala Mandir Art Gallery

920 m

Althino Beside the Mandowi River

Secretariat Building

920 m

Near Cabo Raj Bhavan

British Cemetery

2.0 km

Marine Highway

Goa Science Centre

2.5 km

Beach

Dona Paula Beach

2.2 km

South Goa District

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

3.0 km

Library

Panaji State Central Library

1.5 km

Nearby

Vainguinim Beach

Gao

210 m

Restaurants

Pastry Palace Panaji

1.6 km

10 GroundFloor Shop No Hotel Virashree

Hotel Anandashram a Notch Up Restaurant

1.6 km

Almira Apts

Baskin-Robbins

1.6 km

7 Gurudatta Building Mg Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience

62%

liked the resort and would come back again

6.2/10

Nice

Rooms

6.8

Location

5.8

Service

7.4

Dining

6.0

Ryan

United Kingdom, January 2025

7.0/10

I had a pleasant stay at the hotel, which had a great beach nearby and a lovely swimming pool. While the room was clean and spacious, I had to change rooms initially due to an unpleasant smell. The dining experience was decent, but could definitely be improved with more variety. The only downside was the location being a bit isolated, requiring taxis for transportation, which can add up in cost.

Rooms

7.0

The room I eventually stayed in was clean and spacious, though I had to change from the original one due to a bad odor.

Service

7.0

Service was generally good, but I encountered a few staff members who weren't very accommodating.

Location

6.0

The hotel is conveniently located just a short walk from the beach, but it's a bit of a trek to get to nearby shops or restaurants.

Dining

7.0

Dining was decent, but I felt that the menu could use a bit more variety to enhance the experience.

Facilities

8.0

The swimming pool area was well-kept, and it was nice to have a clean space to relax.

Joseph

United States, January 2025

6.8/10

I really enjoyed my stay at this hotel, especially because it felt private and tucked away from the hustle and bustle. The cleanliness of the rooms was a major plus for me, but the dining options didn't quite meet my expectations, and there were some issues with the air conditioning. Overall, it’s a peaceful place to unwind, and if you’re okay with a bit of distance from the main attractions, it’s worth considering.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were comfortable and clean, ideal for long-term stays, but they could use a little more attention in terms of cleanliness.

Service

6.0

The staff was quite helpful and pleasant, although they seemed a bit overwhelmed and not always responsive when I needed assistance.

Location

8.0

The hotel is in a nice, peaceful area, just a short walk to a quiet beach, which I loved.

Dining

5.0

While the breakfast had some decent options, it lacked variety and could have been cleaner overall.

Facilities

6.0

The facilities were decent but not extremely well-maintained, and I did have issues with the air conditioning.

Larry

United States, January 2025

6.4/10

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

Facilities

George

United Kingdom, December 2024

7.6/10

I had a lovely stay at this hotel that offered a peaceful retreat with its clean rooms and friendly atmosphere. The beach was conveniently close, and the swimming pool was a great perk. However, the location did come with challenges as it was a bit of a hike to get back up the hill, and the dining options could use a broader variety. Overall, it was a good experience but not without its drawbacks regarding accessibility.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were spacious and clean, but having to climb several flights of stairs without elevators was a bit inconvenient.

Service

9.0

Most of the staff were friendly and helpful, which added a nice touch to the stay.

Location

6.0

The hotel is located at the bottom of a hill, making it a bit challenging to access the main road or nearby attractions without a taxi.

Dining

7.0

Dining at the hotel was pleasant but could use more variety, especially for non-vegetarian options.

Facilities

8.0

The pool was lovely and well-maintained, but there weren’t any extra amenities nearby.

Chris

United States, November 2024

7.2/10

I had a decent stay at this hotel, which is really close to the beach, just a short walk away. The pool was nice and the surroundings were lush with greenery, making for a pleasant atmosphere. However, the Wi-Fi was unreliable and there were some noise issues in the evenings due to outdoor events. Overall, it offers good value for a couple of nights but falls short in a few areas.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were a decent size and clean, with a nice balcony overlooking the pool.

Service

8.0

Room service was efficient, usually taking about 30 minutes for orders, which was a plus.

Location

6.0

The hotel is situated at the bottom of a hill, requiring a bit of a walk uphill for access to other places, which can be tiring.

Dining

7.0

The breakfast had a good vegetarian selection, but the non-vegetarian options were quite limited.

Facilities

8.0

The pool area was well-maintained, making it a great spot to relax.

Camila

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.4/10

I had a wonderful experience at this hotel with its own private beach and beautiful surroundings. The rooms were spacious and clean, though they could use a modern touch. The dining options were delicious, but the prices were a bit high. Unfortunately, the beach wasn't the cleanest, which was disappointing. Overall, it was a lovely stay, and the staff did everything possible to enhance our time there.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were spacious and clean but felt a bit outdated and could benefit from a redesign.

Service

9.0

The staff was very cooperative and went out of their way to help us. Their warmth made a positive impact on our stay.

Location

7.0

The hotel is conveniently located near a private beach, but the surrounding area is quite remote, limiting evening options without transport.

Dining

8.0

Dining was enjoyable with tasty food, though I felt there could have been more variety on the menu.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel had several nice facilities, but the pool area was quite small, and I wish there were more amenities available.

James

United States, September 2024

6.6/10

Overall, the hotel offers a decent stay with good-sized rooms and a lovely pool area. However, it does feel a bit outdated and the dining options could be improved. The location is quiet, but it's quite isolated from shops and restaurants, which makes it less convenient for longer stays. I had a mixed experience during my visit, enjoying some aspects while finding others less than ideal.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were spacious and provided a comfortable atmosphere, but they felt a bit tired in terms of decor.

Service

7.0

Service was generally good, with staff who were helpful and friendly, although there was some inconsistency.

Location

6.0

The hotel is located about a 5-minute walk from the beach, which is nice, but there's not much else nearby for dining or entertainment.

Dining

5.0

The buffet breakfast was okay, but I felt the variety was lacking and could use some improvement.

Facilities

7.0

The pool area is quite nice and relaxing; however, the Wi-Fi was often very unreliable during my stay.

Joseph

United Kingdom, August 2024

6.2/10

My stay was quite mixed. I enjoyed the privacy the resort offers and the helpful staff, creating a calm atmosphere. However, the location is a downside, being far from shops and other conveniences. The dining options could also use more variety.

Rooms

7.0

The rooms were spacious but felt a bit old and musty upon entry. It seemed like they hadn’t been used for some time.

Service

7.0

The service had its ups and downs; while some staff were helpful and even remembered my preferences, others were a bit rude, likely due to the crowd.

Location

5.0

The location was not ideal as it is quite isolated with no nearby shops or entertainment.

Dining

6.0

Dining was decent but not very diverse, lacking authenticity in some dishes.

Facilities

7.0

Facilities included a small but clean pool and a decent exercise room, which was nice.

Ryan

United States, August 2024

5.0/10

The hotel had some positives, like a good price for drinks and a cozy vibe. However, the tiny room and lack of functioning air conditioning made for a somewhat uncomfortable stay. The breakfast felt a bit unclean, and the hotel’s location left much to be desired, as we had limited access to the beach and nearby attractions.

Rooms

5.0

The room was tiny, barely leaving space to move around the bed. Unfortunately, the air conditioning didn't work, which made it even less comfortable.

Service

5.0

The service was average, as the staff seemed overwhelmed and not particularly helpful when we needed assistance extending our stay due to a late-night check-in.

Location

5.0

The location wasn't great; we were chased off the nearby promenade and found limited options for exploring the area on foot.

Dining

5.0

The breakfast offerings were rather limited and felt a bit unclean, which was disappointing.

Facilities

5.0

The pool was quite small, which wasn’t ideal for unwinding after a day out.

Aiden

United Kingdom, August 2024

6.6/10

The hotel offers a beautiful and spacious environment, ideal for a relaxing stay. While the rooms could use a modern touch and some amenities were lacking, I found the staff to be incredibly polite and accommodating. The dining experience was decent, but it was disappointing to see limited options for breakfast. The pool area was nice, and the beach was just a minute away, yet the water quality was not ideal, making it hard to enjoy a swim.

Rooms

7.0

The room was spacious but felt a bit outdated and in need of a redesign. It was located on the 3rd floor with no elevator, which was inconvenient after a long day.

Service

9.0

The service was attentive and the staff went out of their way to ensure my stay was comfortable. They knew our needs and were always quick to respond.

Location

6.0

The hotel is in a remote residential area, which felt quiet but limited in terms of nearby amenities. It’s just a minute away from the beach, though the beach quality was disappointing.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were alright, but the buffet breakfast lacked variety and could definitely be improved.

Facilities

6.0

The pool area was pleasant, but other facilities like the gym felt outdated and could use some improvement.