Radisson Goa Candolim

Radisson Goa Candolim is an upscale chain property spread across six white-washed, three-story blocks. Reception place in a semi-open-air lobby with black-and-white geometrical floor tilings and an interesting black-and-white patterned back wall behind the long front desk. The lobby is arranged in an L-shape, with additional seating off to one end behind reception featuring lots of padded sofas and chairs below powerful ceiling fans. Just beyond are the main common areas, including The Palms restaurant and the outdoor pool. This hotel gets travelers from around the world, including business travelers from India and lots of all-inclusive guests on packages sold through major U.K. operators. 

This hotel is located on a side street on the eastern side of the main road that runs through Candolim, about a 10-minute walk from the beach. There are plenty of shops and restaurants all around, plus a 24-hour casino,  Grand 7, is about a three-minute drive or 12-minute walk from the Raddison. Fort Aguada is a two-minute drive away or a nine-minute walk. The neighboring town of Calangute -- with lots of clubs, shops, and restaurants -- takes around 10 minutes to reach by car. It's a half-hour drive to Goa's capital city, Panaji, and the airport is roughly an hour away by road. 

This hotel offers business-style rooms that range from 22-square-meter (237-square-foot) Standard Rooms, clear up to Executive Rooms, which measure 25 square meters (377 square feet). Accessible rooms for wheelchair users and visually impaired guests are also available, and interconnecting rooms can be requested at the time of reservation. Decor is consistent across categories, with grayish stone floors, wood furniture, and plush beds with white bedding and orange throw cushions and runners. Most room types come with either two twin beds or one queen bed, with the exception of Executive Rooms, which only come with queen beds. All rooms have a similar set of amenities, with desks, flat-screen TVs, safes, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars with two free bottles of water per day. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the hotel. Bathrooms are predominantly marble, with magnifying mirrors, big vessel sinks on large counters, and roomy walk-in rainfall showers with huge showerheads. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. Business Class Rooms offer free evening drinks, free fruit platters, and free breakfast, while guests of Executive Rooms get bathrobes, free fruit platters, and free bottles of wine. Most rooms also have small furnished balconies, which face the pool in Superior and Executive categories.

Although amenities at this hotel are geared toward tourists, the Radisson is one of the better spots in town for business travelers, with a large meeting space that can seat up to 150 people theater style and is equipped with audiovisual equipment. Basic printing services are also available and there's a library area that makes a good spot to get work done. The free Wi-Fi found throughout the hotel is also incredibly fast, which isn't always a given in Goa, where speeds can be unreliable. There's free valet parking for all visitors to the hotel. For leisure travelers, there's a small, simple spa and salon with massages and beauty treatments. The fitness center provides a few pieces of cardio equipment along with a cross-training machine. There's also a breezy, semi-open game room with a big pool table and a shop selling souvenirs. The most popular feature of the hotel is its outdoor lap pool, situated in a courtyard right in the center of the property and flanked by enough padded lounge chairs to go around. Dining options run the gamut, and while travelers can book room-only rates, many guests come here as part of charter groups and end up with all-inclusive packages. Half- and full-board packages include buffet meals served at the hotel's main restaurant, The Palms. It's a bright, casual spot with indoor and outdoor seating and both buffet and a la carte options for all three meals. For something a little fancier, the al-fresco Red Mango offers Goan specialties and lots of seafood. Live music is occasionally played at dinner. Room service is also available.