We stayed at the Fidalgo for 1 night before going on the Golden Triangle tour. What a dump!

The staff on Reception weren't particularly friendly or welcoming when we checked in. The room was basic but okay in terms of furnishings, although the bed was very hard and the bathroom definitely smelt of stale urine! All in all, everything just had a grubby look about it. The toilets downstairs in the public area were also dirty and smelly.

At first glance, the pool looked okay but the water was definitely a bit cloudy. There is a strange metal archway over the pool - meant to be ornamental. Beware walking around the pool if you're tall - the edges of this arch are sharp and around head height if you're a bit over 6' tall.

Breakfast was dreadful. If you're on B&B, breakfast is included in the Chilli n Spice restaurant. Nobody was seeing people to tables or clearing away very quickly so we had to sit among the mess and debris left by earlier diners. We all left the table to go to the buffet, came back and another famly had sat down at our table! Items such as jam and butter ran out and the only tea or coffee available was made with hot canned milk.

The one saving grace of this hotel is the Mirsch Masala restaurant around the back. Expensive by Indian standards but a very extensive menu and superb food and service.

As our first introduction to India, we were wondering what we'd let ourselves in for. Fortunately our other hotels were far superior to this one.

I had stayed in this hotel with my kid and spouse for four days.
It is a nice piece of well maintained property, rooms are good , so are the resturants and the pool...... but nothing beyond that...hospitality is very poor... below par.
i was made to shift into three rooms during my four day stay, for reasons unknown.One of the rooms i was shifted in was full of ciggarette smoke and had wet& used towels . nobody attended to the complaints. I had to wait for the air freshner for atleast 5 hours and 15 calls to housekeeping & so keep my baby out of the room full of smoke for that long.
The staff is not very polite. Courtesies are missing everywhere.
The reception, resturant as well as housekeeping has untrained personnel recriuted from the local population & are poor with services and explanation.
Breakfast choice and lay out was too very very average.
I can recommend this hotel too people or couples who only need a shelter and nothing else.Plus I'd like that these people should know that there is more to the hospitality industry than the property alone...

I have stayed in the Fidalgo twice although since that time it has been totally renovated. It was a typical Indian hotel, pleasant enough but very rundown. Last time I was in Panjim [January 2006] I called in to see the transformation. It is in the centre of the city but has a lovely pool and fountain at the rear. Frankly it looks like a very modern western hotel now: coffee shops, brand new restaurant that appeared expensive - but the manager was kind enough to give me a guided tour when I explained I had stayed in the Fidalgo of old. I imagine it is quite expensive by Indian standards but there are three very good restaurants in Panjim, all within walking distance: The Sher Punjab Classic [there are two of this name - go to the one on the market square], the Delhi Delbar and the wonderful Multi Mahal on 18 June Road, five minutes walk from the Fidalgo. A typical meal here, including a couple of beers and a gimlet, which is the best gimlet I have ever had, comes to about £7. Sorry I cannot be more definitive about the Fidalgo itself but would be surprised if it were not to a very good standard. Providing you don't want to be stretched out like a lobster on Baga Beach, you should find the whole experience more of a proper Indian one where you will meet many more of the wonderful nationals.