Kris Resort

We had been a group of 10 people and we all loved this place. This is a budget hotel – so do not have demands for 5-star facilities. Whatever it has it is adequate for a very comfortable and nice vacation. They have a pool, large and clean rooms, and overall is just what you would expect from a budget hotel.

The location is good for it is close to shops and close to beaches – but the way to the hotel take you through a slum type patch which is quite depressing. After all, Goa has built an image in people’s minds of sun, sand and fun and this is not the place where you want to see slums and poverty – though this is also part of this wonderful tourist destination. We did feel odd about this – but cannot be helped, I guess.

For food, you will find dozens if not more eateries all around it that offer superb meals at very reasonable costs. Food is Goa is mostly adapted to foreign tourists so expect it to be a little bland. However, you can always check out the Souza Lobo on Calangute beach for a regal fare right on the Calangute beach. For those who are veg, try out the Plantain Leaf and the wonderful Kaya for Japanese food.

Coming back to Kris – this is a cool place for the budget traveler – and we all loved it. Yes, we would indeed come back here if we come to Goa again. It is a SWELL PLACE!!

For the tariff you pay you should not expect the luxury of Taj. Some of the reviews here say a lot of negative stuff about Kris resort. But wait and think a little!! How much are you paying? For that price all you would be entitled to would be a clean room and a good bed – and that is what you are getting. All the rest are extra – the air conditioning, the swimming pool, the daily housekeeping, etc.

I came here along with three other friends and we liked the place for it served us for sleeping. We spent little time in the hotel – spent the day sightseeing on foot or on bikes and came back dead in the night to sleep. The rooms served this purpose perfectly.

It does have air conditioning and hot water – though at night it has some problems. The service is slow, but once we got the idea, we depended less and less on them. We also avoided the complimentary breakfast after the first day – for it was terrible. But frankly speaking, we did not expect much either.

The lovely Calangute beach is just a little distance away and we spent some of our best part of the holiday on this superb beach parasailing, rising water scooters and what not. We also went and saw the dolphins – an experience that will remain in my heart forever.

There are plenty of restaurants in the vicinity and after the breakfast fiasco, we took no chance with our meals. I have seen those who have chosen all inclusive plans were disturbed about the food, too. Fortunately I had booked room only.

In my opinion, this is a great resort for the budget traveler. No frills, no embroidery – just the bare necessities. I think it is fair to say that it does deliver what it promises – budget vacation!

You want to be horrified and never come back to Goa – one of my most favorite places for vacation in India – then you go to this Kris resort. We booked this hotel on yatra.com on recommendation from friends. The hotel is horrible. This is not the first time when I book something on Yatra.com that blows in my face. Anyway, we checked in this place and the nightmares began.

There was no hot water as the geyser was not working. The service people came after 45 minutes to ask whether there is water or not - and then explained that the water is heated by the sun, so when the sun set, there is no more hot water. So much for a bath!! I wonder whether they have heard of solar power storage…

Rooms are small with window that are covered with transparent curtains (none of the curtains have liners). Bathrooms had sand on the floor. Housekeeping is almost non-existent.

Anyway, this was one episode. There are more. My wife lost the keys to the room, and when we asked for the master key we were told that there no such thing available. They had to break the door replace the lock and billed it to us. Groan!!

There is more. We ended up hiring a four-wheeler so we could move freely in Goa. When we get to the resort – even after we did ask whether they had parking space or not and they answered with an emphatic ‘YES’ – we find that there is no parking. Had to back it in a very narrow lane, which made me sweat every time I came in or wanted to get out.

The location of the hotel is good when it comes to the proximity to the beach and the market. These are well within walking distance. However, the location of the hotel can really piss you off for it is right past a few very depressing slums that instantly dampens your moods.

The swimming pool is another point of complaining. It is small, dirty and literally drying up.

Not a place that I would recommend even to my enemy!! Definitely not a place I would like to return to – EVER!!