This is a family orientated hotel. The children loved the hotel as they had lots of activities for them. Games room Swimming pool etc etc. The hotel was very clean and the rooms are very clean. The food is good and you can eat out as well. Lots of places to eat. Staff were very helpfull. There was not much entertainment all though there is always something to do. I am already planning to go again this year.

Dona Sylvia is an excellent hotel more a 4* than a 3.As a family of 3 couples we all had a different room layout, but were of a good standard (minor gripe only 3 coat hangers needed a trip to reception to sort out). Hair dryers are now provided.

We stayed over Christmas and New Year and lights were hung all around the hotel grounds which helped with the festive feel.

The hotel staff were all very helpful nothing was to much trouble and any problems were dealt promptly. We managed to snap the key fob inside the air con 5 minutes all sorted new key and fob which included electrician extracting broken fob.

The grounds are emaculate. Mamma Mia and Curries and Kebabs restaurants are first class. All other meals were of a better standard than those of higher rated hotels that we had stayed in on our previous visits to Goa.

However please forget the AI and venture out to the beach shacks we never had a bad meal and it`s so cheap We will never forget the fire work display on New Years Eve.

We shall return.

Arrived at the hotel at roughly 1pm. First impressions were good. We were tired after the long flight and were told our room would not be ready until 2pm and were directed to get some lunch. We had a nice toastie by the pool.

The grounds of the hotel are beautiful and immaculately maintained. The room was spotlessly clean and it was lovely to sit on the balcony with a drink in the evening.

The access to the beach is good and the beach shacks friendly and welcoming. We could not fault the food in the hotel it was a very good standard indeed, lots of vegetarian choices and fresh meat and fish dishes cooked in front of you.

The breakfast buffet was fantastic with plenty of choice for everyone. The courtesy and helpfulness of the staff was second to none.

The only let down for us was the evening entertainment which seemed to be very holiday camp style and in your face as you could hear it wherever you went. If the entertainment was toned down or held for example in the Haystack we would not hesitate to stay again.

The pool is massive and spotlessly clean and never crowded. Outside of the gates are lots of restaurants and shops. I would say the rating of the hotel as a 3 star to be accurate no more no less.

We arrived at the hotel at 5am, the hotel looked amazing - we had a chance to look around as our rooms wouldn't be ready until 11am - not ideal when you have been travelling all night, a regular occurrence according to the hotel management - apparently First Choice have known about this issue all season but never seemed to pass this information on at the time of booking!!!

The staff are great, the food is ok - a little too westernised for my liking - but it was ok. The massage centre was excellent, the hotel was well maintained and clean throughout.

I can

Just returned from another wonderful holiday at the Dona Sylvia I really think this hotel is in the best location just outside the gates lots of restaurants.

Hotel spread out over a large area with pretty gardens all rooms have fridges Staff are great.

We only had a couple of meals in the hotel as it is so cheap to eat out lots of people choose this hotel for the location.

We arrived at the hotel at 05am and thought we were in paradise. The setting is gorgeous.

Room. Large room with an enormous king size bed. Children in room next door with twin beds. Both rooms had a terrace. Air con, Fridge, Television, spacious walk in shower, ceiling fan. Linen changed daily, plenty of towels (a couple of times staff created 'origami' swans with the towels decorated with flowers! nice touch) Room service available we though at a very reasonable rate i.e 50r for a pot of coffee.

Grounds. Lovely spacious grounds with coconut palms. 3min walk to beach via private access. We were there at Christmas and the place was lit up with thousands of multi coloured fairy lights (sounds garish but was very pretty)

Staff. Couldn't do enough. Very friendly and helpful, always with a willing smile

Pool. Large with a bridge across the middle. Very clean. Pool towels given out for daily use which could also be taken down to the beach. Games organised in the pool (water polo, volleyball) Ample number of sunbeds. Plenty of shade from palm trees.

Food. Lots of variety ranging from spicy to plain English. Eggs cooked to order for breakfast. Gala dinner was a feast! Poolside snack bar a little limited but al a carte restaurant recommended at least once as food exceptional.

Entertainment. One or two highlights (fire dancers) but this was the only thing I felt let the place down a bit. Usually a duo in the bar (open air terrace). A different duo most nights but all had the same set list! A bit loud sometimes but this was just a minor irritation. Bar closed dead on 11pm so very quite after that.

Other hotel services. Free use of air conditioned Gym. I didn't use but 16 year old son tells me very good equipment. Use of steam room and sauna. In addition can book a Ayurvedic massage treatment. Recommend this on day one or two as completely de-stresses you and sets you up for the holiday, sublime experience! Tailor on site is also very good. If you want a suit or dress making will do to an exceptional quality.

This was our first time in Goa and think we landed on our feet. Hotel and setting may be a little quite for those who want excitement however for peace, relaxation and the feeling you have really had a holiday then would highly recommend.

We found the hotel very clean, nothing was to much trouble for the staff to do. They all were very helpful in every way.

We would have liked more food to be available later in the evening as like us a lot of the guests like to eat later and they did not replace food unless you ate earlier in the evening.

We found the hotel in a good location with a few eating places across the road would recommend :get down: the food is great.

We found the entertainment to our taste not to loud we found it ideal for older people not much to entertain younger people.

We have already booked for Jan/2006.

The staff inside the hotel are great, you could not wish for more.

We have been to Goa 4 times before but this hotel and the location is fabulous.

As soon as I arrived I knew I would enjoy this hotel very laid back accommodation mostly on one level, great walk to the beach.

We intended to eat out every night but the food in the hotel is very good especially the gala nights.

The AI included the wonderful Kingfisher beer and the staff are very good.

Entertainment was OK nothing too much which we liked, booked again Feb 2006 along with lots of other repeat guests.

We stayed at the Dona Sylvia Resort. As my partner is vegetarian - he thought he had died and gone to heaven.The choice of food was superb and if there was nothing which took your fancy or if you had any special requirements the Staff were only too happy to make you an alternative.

The entertainment was just right- not too much. the location is wonderful - and they recycle water for their organic vegetable garden.

As childrens entertainers we just wanted to rest completely after Christmas and we had 2 weeks of pure rest and relaxation. We've already booked for Jan 2006.

This Hotel is set in an ideal location, beautiful grounds, a large swimming pool surrounded by palm trees.

The rooms although basic were very clean and towels, bed linen changed daily.

In the buffet style restaurant you had a good choice of local and international food. (Which was very good)

The hotel staff were helpful and friendly, but as AI guests we found the D.I.Y style strange, as apart from breakfast when they served you tea/coffee you had to do everything yourself, as there was no waiter service around the pool or in the bar. (Lazy maybe? but we were on holiday).

Entertainment during the day if you were in the pool area was nil, not even some background music. In the evenings a couple of nights a week you had either fire, bollywood to Indian dancers, on the other nights you had local bands all of which were very good.