The review is for those who disliked the place perhaps due to unwarranted expectations:
1. It is not a resort, but a homely stay (NOT a HOMESTAY) kind of an arrangement, with an informal kitchen and a pool, with limited rooms.
2. It is not a 24X7 kitchen serving food at the whims and fancies of guests (Or else, you might want to consider Tropicana Resport, Radission Blu etc. ) Don't overwhelm the staff with with your 5 star resort like expectations ; eat anything @ anytime. There is no room service. Better be prepared for that. Afterall it is not a pricy place.
3. It is not your typical restaurant, that you might want to order a variety of foods not typical to the Kokan region.
What to expect:
1. Courteous staff (You might want to remind them for things occasionally)
2. The USP is its Location, being a minute's walk from the beach, Cleanliness, Safety and a family kind of place.
3. A simple, small and clean pool.
4. Go with your family and friends of a group of 4-8 max. Property is small, so please don't take a Baraat and then expect the staff to serve you like Baraatis. Larger the group, more the confusion. The people there are like your home support staff, and may need instructions repeatedly.
5. Like at any of our homes, they might NOT be able to serve you what you ask for at a very short notice. Treat the staff well, tip them well, give them an advance anticipation of what you wish to have for lunch/dinner. They even ask you, if you are going out or wish to eat at the hotel. "Thik se Baat Karke toh Dekho"
Don't ask for (or encourage your children) to order North Indian/chinese/Punjabi food. They might be left helpless. Instead ask for what they are good at ...which is "Home style sea food", typical to Kokan/Malvan.
They pick up limited but very fresh seafood from Chondi Naka (a market place, 2-3 kms. away) in the morning and evening. Letting them know what kind of sea food (Type of fish, prawns etc.) will make it easy for both guests and the hotel.
Don't know why someone said in the review that they serve only vegetarian food. But they serve amazing non-vegetarian food.
6. In the evening, the seating arrangement by the pool and the dining space is awesome. You can connect your instrument/phone (via Bluetooth) to a sound system available there.
7. Carry, make and enjoy your own kind of (Legal) drink. They will not deny providing support; soda, aeriated drink, ice and glasses.
8. Be mindful of other guests and don't disregard their presence and go about speaking loudly.
9. The property is not a smoke free zone. So, for the smokers, please hold on to a corner table, or a space or position yourself considering the wind direction. Let the smoke go away with the wind.... without making others 'passive smokers'
10. The place is serene and calm and "Safe" for families and couples.
10. Please Respect the fact that the hotel is shut during the monsoons do preserve, repair and maintain enormous wood work there, the handrails, doors etc. , but they however, continue to retain the staff/employees until it opens again, post monsoons.
11. It is advisable to go and walk on the beach in the early mornings. Don't depend on the kitchen if you are an early riser and morning walker. Tea stalls are open early in the morning as you walk to the beach and back. By the end of the morning walk , a large number of stalls start preparing a variety of breakfast items. Explore them, don't keep complaining and waiting for the Hotel's breakfast just because they said it is "Complimentary"
12. The same eateries also serve up a variety of snacks and foods, until late...may be 8.30 or 9.00 p.m. may be a bit more late.
13. Don't be a couch potato, explore the area around. After all this is what most of us come out of our cities for short/long breaks.
Crystal Villa People are Nice