Sonesta Inns Resort

Built in 2005 and slowly renovated from 2014 to 2018, Sonesta Inns is a quiet, elegant hotel set on sprawling grounds comprising huge grassy lawns and lots and lots of palm trees. The lobby is housed in a big main building at the front of the hotel, and features a few plush sofas off to one side and a large centerpiece table that generally holds a vase full of fresh flowers at the center. While the area is inviting enough, most guests hang out either at the centerpiece swimming pool or out on the grassy lawns, where there are tables and chairs set up for lounging along with a huge breakfast area and a colorful playground. A tile-lined pathway leads down to the beach beyond and there's a foot-washing station for guests at the end of the pathway. Most people who stay here are older couples, primarily from the United Kingdom and Scandinavia, though the hotel also gets some families and tourists from India and Russia.

Sonesta Inns is located in the northern part of Candolim that borders busier Calangute. The hotel itself is situated at the bottom of the quiet lane that meanders downhill from the busy main road. It's about a two-minute walk from Osho Beach via a pathway that runs through the back of the hotel. There are lots of restaurants, ATMs, and other hotels in the immediate area and it's easy to get around on foot. Nearby points of interest include: Aguada Fort, a 15-minute drive south of the hotel; the Saturday Night Market in Arpora, which takes around 15 minutes to reach by car in the opposite direction; and Anjuna, with its popular beach and busy Wednesday flea market, a 25-minute drive from the hotel. It's about a 35-minute drive to Panaji. Getting to the airport takes around an hour. 

Rooms at the Sonesta are divided into entry-level Luxury Rooms and larger one-bedroom Suites.There's not much variety in terms of decor -- all units have stone tile floors and dark-wood furniture paired with white beds (one queen bed or two twin beds) topped with brown and turquoise-gray or tan runners and accent cushions. Lighting is soft, with a mix of recessed lighting and suspended lanterns and huge sliding glass balcony doors. Heavy blackout curtains can be pulled shut to keep rooms dark. Suite living areas feature plush tan sofas and chairs, plus marble-topped dining tables that can seat at least four people comfortably. Windows with shades look out onto the living rooms from the bedrooms. In addition to the rooms and regular Suites, the hotel offers a huge Honeymoon suite, Geetanjali, with a dressing room and elegant Portuguese-inspired decor. There are also three two-story Villas, each of which has three bedrooms and three bathrooms plus a large living room.All units have similar amenities of air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms in Luxury Rooms are large, with walk-in showers with ceiling-mounted rainfall showerheads. Basic toiletries are provided. Suite bathrooms have shower/tub combos with big tubs. Around half of the Luxury Rooms and all of the Suites face out on the pool, and all have private balconies with wicker patio furniture. 

Rooms and facilities center around a huge lagoon-style courtyard pool, flanked by multiple palm and coconut trees and surrounded by shaded lounge chairs. There's a small splash pool for younger guests, along with a whirlpool hot tub and a poolside bar with snacks and cocktails. Other restaurants include Ocean Deck, a lounge bar with a dancing area, and the main Flavours restaurant, with Indian and international food served indoors or out on a sunny deck. Room service is available. Breakfast is served on a huge, open-air patio (except during the rainy monsoon season), with a buffet spread of cereals, breads, and a smattering of hot Indian and international dishes. Breakfast is included in all room rates and half-board options are available for a supplemental fee.Behind the pool is a shaded pavilion with a billiards table. Younger visitors may prefer heading straight to the colorful playground in a grassy area out back, complete with multiple slides and a see-saw. Other facilities include a small beauty salon, a tailor specializing in men's business suits, and a compact fitness center with a few pieces of cardio and resistance-training equipment. There's also a large lending library/book exchange right in the fitness center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though past guests have reported connectivity issues. There's ample free on-site parking.