Okay, so with the deafening silence on this thread, I guess not many people have stayed here.

I'm sitting writing this from my room, as I ended up coming down here after long period working in Delhi, staying in "The LaLit New Delhi" (ex-IC The Grand) for 2 months. I'm here for 4 nights as a (recently downgraded from RA) Ambassador

The hotel is very pleasant and almost deserted (perfect for what I need right now, but not for everyone), with me upgraded from a sea-view suite to a lovely luxury suite - with no free minibar, then free minibar, then no free minibar, as they realised my RA had expired. I also signed up for "LaLit Loyalty" whilst in Delhi, which has given me a couple of BOGOs to use, along with discounts when dining here.

However, it's far from all is good here. To explain....to those who don't know, most of the ex-ICs in India were owned by the Bharat Hotels group. The founder of the group, Mr Lalit Suri, died, and his surviving wife seemingly wants to honour him by dropping the IC brand all across India and turning all the ICs into "The LaLit" properties.

Now, I can't comment on what makes someone think that dropping a well-known brand for a brand-new one will help their business, but clearly they think it's for the best. Personally, I think it will just mean all their "outside India" custom will disappear at the drop of a hat. Who knows, maybe that's what they want...?!

There's a shrine in the reception of both hotels to their founder, and Goa is clearly in the process of dropping its IC tag (I've spoken to staff who believe it will change next month). Sadly, it's a bit of a schizophrenic property at the moment - with the chef's uniforms, umbrellas, golf course, menus etc branded as "The LaLit", yet the hotel itself is still an IC.

The beach bungalows are long gone (apart from the foundations, and services); the jet skis are looking old and uncared for; and the food, whilst okay, is not IC-standard.....although to be fair, it's not IC prices either - it's very cheap.

So, if you're desperate to stay in an IC in Goa, then hurry - otherwise, wave goodbye to this property, wish the new venture well, and watch sadly while it possibly crumbles in a few years, if not sooner....

(rumour has it that it hasn't been meeting minimum IC standards since the old owner died - which might also help explain the re-branding....)

If you want to still stay here, please note, it's in the middle of a tiny village, with not much nearby. If, as others have said, you want peace and quiet, then this place is great. If you want an adventure, don't come here. Whatever you do, ensure the airport transfer is included in your rate - it's over 60km away!