Panaji – Independent i Panaji, Goa

"First impression was good. Got their favorit cookie and the staff were very polite.Room looked as well fine. Next day we wanted to relax at the pool which looked nice on the pictures. In the morning there were a croud with young people moustly with their t -shirts on and the pool was quite small.Later we got a chair but swimming was not so pleasant , as it stinked at the far end. after pool we discovered that cloth dryer on balcony was so rusty that we hardly could open it.After pool I wanted to enjoy a cup nof cofee in loby bar - I ordered a double expresso and it was horrible - either machine was broken or cofee beans were of the low quality (there was not even foam on it ) , price for it was same as in good caffees in London or Paris.But the worst was our check-out eaxperience. We ordered on internet licensed taxi as ride was quite long and we planned it before comming to hotel. They did not let it in and I figured it out later that receptionist (male) was probably having some commission from taxi orders. He told me its a taxi trade union of the village or the street that has exclusive rights to serve the hotel (sounds like a lie ). So we ended up to take our luggade and after 1,5 hours waiting take it out of hotels territory so the taxi can pick us up !!! Its a shame that staff has to make extra income in such a hotel .While waiting in reception I also noticed plenty of spider nets hanging over our heads in tower (there were plenty of them on balcony as well )."

"I booked through Hotels.com and signed up to pay at the venue.Two months before the arrival date, the hotel sent me insistent, unprofessional messages asking for full payment upfront. I had no issues paying, but the handling of the matter by Le Meridien was appalling. There is only one proper restaurant on site (and two bars) (although they advertise 3 restaurants) More than 25% of the dishes on the menu are 'out of stock'. For our entire stay (9 days) the restaurant could not come up with prawns. Perhaps they want you to avail of the buffet, but then why offer a la carte? There is zero co-ordination between the front office, the restaurant, the pool bar, etc. We had to sign in when using the pool. Other times, not. Sometimes we had to pay at the pool bar, other times, we had to charge to the room. The Front Office staff are ignorant about hospitality- I was pointedly told at they did not have a concierge facility, so could not help with any suggestions for where to go. The Supervisor there was helpful but the rest of the staff refuse to make eye contact. They just type on their computers. I received more information from the taxi drivers who stand outside the hotel. I have stayed at other Le Meridien hotels and this was abysmally disappointing in comparison. Some five stars must be granted: The Games Room (clean, well appointed, and appeals to all ages) The Gym (good equipment, modern) Location (12 min to beach)"