Santa Monica Hotel, Calangute

Advantages: Quiet, relaxed, small hotel with high standards, efficient friendly staff
Disadvantages: Lacking excitement for a younger crowd.

..."Welcome to the Hotel Santa Rita, such a lovely place, such a lovely face..." So sing the restaurant staff to the tune of the Eagles hit "Hotel California." And indeed they are correct, even if their singing is atrocious. The hotel complex itself is smaller than the average at 55 rooms, yet at no time does it feel claustrophobic or crammed in. In fact if anything this adds to its charm and friendly character. Situated in small well kept gardens within the complex that also contains the outdoor restaurant/bar, pool, Ayervedic clinic (for massage or traditional therapies) and a crepe restaurant. The rooms are airy and clean. Ours contained a small kitchen area with a sink and fridge stocked with water, beer and soft drinks. A ceiling fan in each room and an air conditioner as well in the bedroom. There was also a small TV in the corner... Read review

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Advantages: See op.
Disadvantages: See op.

...– as you know this is where you will find all the movie studios. · Beverly Hills / Bel Air – These places are near to Hollywood. · Orange County – this is on the east side of LA and where Disney Land is. · Santa Monica – Coastal town near to Venice & Muscle beach. · Malibu – Around the coast from Santa Monica, where the celebs live. There are plenty more areas that I have missed off, simply because I did not have the chance to either visit / look into them. ~ WHERE I STAYED (http://www.furamalax.com/) I stayed in the Furama hotel, which was in Westchester (30 minute bus ride from Santa Monica). It was on Lincoln and Manchester, which for those of you not familiar with American street naming conventions, means that the hotel was on Lincoln Blvd (roughly) where it joined with Manchester Blvd. It was a 3 star hotel and had very pleasant... Read review

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Advantages: all year round climate {except for this year 2005}
Disadvantages: first impressions were a bit iffy to say the least

...} First on our way to our table we walked through the kitchen and proudly shown all the food preparation and the chefs in full action. Unusual huh We were led to the rear of the resturant and were warned by the waiter not to over order as the portions were huge. I am glad we were told {1 meatball weight 1 pound I kid you not} We had an excellent meal washed down with copious ammounts of wine and headed back to the Hotel California for a good nights sleep {burp} The following day the sun shone every thing looked so much better,we walked into town and had breakfast then hoofed it around spending any spare holiday money we had left All in All Santa Monica is well "strange" bit compelling post note the name of this splendid Italian resturant is Buca di Beppo on 2nd street no.1442... Read review

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