Guest User
February 27, 2025
This was my third stay - over eight years (including lockdowns) at the Hotel Santiago Beach Resort - which happens to be a quarter mile from the beach. I have posted reviews here of my previous trips, but they were removed after changes to hotel management. It’s less busy than in pre-Covid times. There are flushes of groups of Indian guests, often families, who stay for a few days and move on. Most of the longer-term guests are Brits, with a few Europeans. I think a few Russian ladies arrived toward the end of our stay. Many of the Brits are regular visitors; several have visited ten times or more. Guests on the All-Inclusive package (like us) tend to stick around the hotel, while B&B guests wander out to the beach or to local restaurants in the evening. As has been written before, the waiting staff - led by Walter and Pritesh (David is unwell by all accounts) - are probably this hotel’s greatest asset. It would be churlish to mention them all by name for fear of missing one. The chef, too, is exceptional; we enjoyed every meal we ate in the hotel; the Onion Bhaji, Paneer Makhani and Chicken Biryani were particular favourites. There is a buffet of Indian breakfast options daily, an egg/omelette station, fruit, cereal and a toaster. The waiters offer sausages and bacon, but I enjoy the variety of local foods. Food and drink prices are competitive if you’re not on AI, but the cost of staying AI is compelling. The rooms are tired, yes, but kept clean, the air-con has been upgraded and is still very efficient. Room cleaning can be a lottery; ours was done each day mid-afternoon, providing the key was handed into Reception. A few negatives: • The plug sockets are loose, even with a 2 pin Euro adapter it can be tricky to retain a power feed. • Expect occasional (about two of three times a day) power cuts. They don’t last long but can be frustrating. • There’s no plug in the washbasin, bring one if you feel the need. • There is construction work going on around the hotel, but it’s largely manual with few machines, and the noise doesn’t disturb the pool area. • Yes, it’s a short walk to the main drag, but Max (the tailor) and Jack (the jeweller) are always good to chat to, and they both make excellent products. Some positives: • Someone has been reading TA, there were always plenty of loo rolls in the bathroom. That’s a roll of Andrex that’s not travelling home! • The food is very, very good, and the waiting staff are attentive. • The short distance from the main drag makes this hotel a quiet haven.