Whispering Palms Hotel

loved whispering palms

by A TripAdvisor Member

After haveing a few reservations about the reviews on this hotel, my wife and i felt relieved to actually be dropped off at this one after seeing some of the others on the transfer into our resort.
Yes, it is very basic (isn't all of Goa????), but the rooms were very spacious and clean, and for me cleanliness was the most important bit.
Our holiday at this hotel was the best trip we have Ever been on, the staff and the locals made it the perfect holiday with there friendliness.
Food was fine but mostly indian variety which i loved, my wife didn't but the chef was always more than willing to make her something she fancied.
The Ice and Spice bar and the Lovely Jubly shack on coconut beach were fantastic, Hello to all the lads there who also helped to make our stay fantastic.
All in all, a great holiday at a good hotel which i would definately return to.

Goa's Whispering Palms location

by telebug about Whispering Palms

Nice welcome in the reception, even though it was 4am! The hotel main building is seperate to the rooms which was rather nice and also typically Goan, the path way rambled around a well kept Garden with flowers and palms trees. Great location next to a track down to the beach with stalls along it. Few shops, bars and restaurants around it too.
Live entertainment around the pool every night, Although our room was away from the entertainment others were quite close and would be noisy.
There was a school group there that swam every morning at 7am before trips. Some people complaind. I thought this hotel was quite commercialised but would be good for a first time visitor who may feel slightly unsure of what to expect. Once you've visited Goa you will soon realise that it is very safe and full of charming people. The gardens where the delux rooms are placed are beautiful. Very green and lush with flower beds and palm trees.

best holiday ever

by TripAdvisor Member linbarnard

we stayed at the Whispering palms from the 2nd march 07 for 2 weeks and i must say it is the best holiday i have had in a long time . It is the third time we have stayed in goa but the first in this hotel it is in a great location. close to the beach, and the staff are the friendliest i have come across. nothing is too much trouble for them.
the holiday was so good we are returning in december. the food is great and the speciality resteraunt was excellent. i have included a photo of our favourite waiter. i can't wait to go again.

OK but go to Ganesh's shack on the beach. Its worth it

by A TripAdvisor Member

Went all inclusive for the first time. The rooms were ok but needed updating. The food was plentifull but not exciting, and the pool area was not big enough for all the guests and the Sunbeds. Also the entertainment was good for making you have an early night!!
However, we followed the advice on this site and went to the beach and found Ganesh's Shack (walk straight down to the beach and turn left, its the second Shack i think). Both Ganesh and his sister could not do enough for us. They organised trips for us at half the price the hotel wanted, served great food at very cheap prices, and was one of the few places on the beach where you could sit up all night. His staff were great.
Had it not been for Ganesh and his Shack, I would have found Whispering Palms painfull after a few days.
If you find his Shack, say Hello from Hamish and Diane, and we will see him next Feb.

They couldn't do enough for you

by TripAdvisor Member QueenieKent

We were at the Whispering Palms in February 07 and found the hotel to be as expected - a 3 star hotel in India. The room was very comfortable with a very good (and quiet) a/c unit. The rooms was cleaned daily. The bathroom was a little shabby but the hotel are currently working their way round upgrading the rooms. The food was good but there are sooooo many lovely places to eat in Candolim we usually went out.
My only complaint was the size of the pool area which is too small for the hotel but the beach is only a 5 minute walk and the beach shacks are great at looking after you. (Try String fellos the big one with green turrets!). The only other downside to the hotel were a handful of the other guests - loud and common with no respect for other people, but you can get that anywhere.
A great upside is the tailor in the hotel (Mac). My husband had a suit made - it was amazing! I had a skirt copied - it's better than the original. Also worth trying is the on site massage facility and the reflexologist.

Goa is fab, you do get hassled a little but it's part of the charm. If you're fairly firm and don't get too pally you get left alone. Loads to see and loads to buy!

We'd definately go back and would be happy to stay at W.Palms again.

Loved the Jungle Book trip

by A TripAdvisor Member

Although we stayed there in 2003, we have only just got a computer and found tripadviser[--] so thought we would put our review on here.

Back in 2003, we (a young couple) went to Goa for a romantic holiday. We were a bit apprehensive about going to India and the coach ride from the airport is a bit of an eye opener - be prepared to see lots of poverty. But once we arrived at Whispering Palms, you forget that you are in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Our room was a good size with a king size bed and a modern air conditioning and a ceiling fan - you literally slept with a duvet round you as the room gets very cool with these two on! But as soon as you opened your balcony door, it was like a furness - which was obviously very nice and different from England!

Anyway, back to the hotel itself - the place was very clean and the staff very friendly and helpful - especially Radish, the barman in the Pool Bar. He didnt speak much English, but tried his best!

We went all inclusive and we never once had to go and get a drink - there was always someone there who asked you if you would like any drinks and who would bring it over to you on your sun lounger or at your table of an evening. Even whilst watching England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup 2003 we were kept well watered!!

The breakfast was a buffet with lots to chose from, but some strange combinations. At lunch, they had an A La Carte menu which was excellent. We tended to eat our dinner at lunchtime and then had something light from the evening buffet menu, which was nice, but a bit repetative. We do recommend using the on site Indian Restaurant (whose name we cannot remember). On the All Inclusive package, you get to go there 3 times in two weeks and it is very lovely food! It is still the best Indian meal we have ever had. But dont expect to get your traditional English Indian Food - Korma, Bombay Potato etc. We did describe bombay potato to the waiter and he did try his best to find something from the menu that was like this! Was quite funny - like an indian tasting session!

The entertainment was a bit of a let down, but we made our own entertainment of an evening as you get chatting with lots of the other holiday makers as the hotel isnt overly large. Its a very nice size.

Careful of the wine - very strong!!! We got a lot of sore heads throughout this holiday! Haha.

But the best part of it all was our two day trip which we booked with our rep called "The Jungle Book Trip". This is the trip where you get to interact with the elephants. It is just amazing! On the way to the "jungle", we were taken through Goa's capital city Panjim (we think). The way they drive over there is just unbelievable!! We stopped at a Cashew Nut factory. The conditions these poor people work in is unbelievable and they get paid a pittance! Take some money to buy a bag of cashews from them! Then we went to the jungle and checked in to our mud huts - yes, you stay in a mud hut made of mud and elephant dung!! Dont be put off - it doesnt stink!! This huts are like A rating in Mud Hut Ratings! They even have a flushing toilet and shower!! You will get to ride the elephants, feed the elephants, swim with and wash the elephants all in your two day trip!! It really was a magical experience and one we would never forget! On your way back to the hotel, they took us to a traditional Goan village and the locals showed us round their school, which is just a big mud hut really. Then they got the children to all sing for us - "Old McDonald Had A Farm!". It was so sweet and if it doesnt bring a lump to your throat, then you arent right!! It really makes you realise how lucky you are, but these kids are happy and know no different. If you go, try and remember to take some sweets with you for the kids - they will love you forever if you do.

Weather wise, we went in November and it was very hot then!! Very humid, but you get used to it! Also, go to Coco Beach. It is a secluded private beach - and you wont get bothered by the "looky looky" men saying "Asda Price" and "Cheap as Chips"!! Not so amusing after the 100th time!!!

Overall, thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Goa and would recommend it to all!! Enjoy!

Whispering Palms Candolim Goa

by telebug

"One of Goa's best bits."

The dolphins were beatiful, easily reached by taxi from the hotel to coco beach and made a dream come true.
The beach was a lot quiter and hassel also free.