When it comes to stunning landscapes, Cape Verde shines. Located off Africa’s western tip, Cape Verde is an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean with islands rich in natural beauty. From breathtaking beaches and jaw-dropping volcanoes to dramatic sea cliffs and serene sand dunes, Cape Verde has it all. What’s more, it’s home to a likewise diverse culture. You’ll find a distinctively European vibe in many places since the country was a Portuguese colony for more than 500 years. The best hotels in Cape Verde provide ideal places from which to explore the country’s beauty and experience its vibrant culture.
Where To Stay In Cape Verde
Of Cape Verde’s ten islands, nine are inhabited. The largest island, Santiago, is where you’ll find the capital city of Praia. It’s also home to Cidade Velha, a 15th-century colonial city. The island also boasts lofty volcanoes and great beaches where you can swim and sunbathe. Sal and Boa Vista are two of the most-visited islands in Cape Verde. Here, dazzling white-sand beaches kissed by turquoise sea waters draw visitors from near and far. Meanwhile, São Vicente island is where you’ll find Mindelo. Known as Cape Verde’s cultural capital, it’s a port city with vibrant music and nightlife scenes.
Whether you’re planning a winter break, a romantic beach getaway, or a fun-filled family vacation, you’ll find plenty of Things To Do in Cape Verde. Check out our list of the best hotels in Cape Verde for a memorable stay in this underrated island chain in Africa.
Hotel Pérola
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Sleek and sophisticated, Hotel Pérola is among the best hotels in Cape Verde. There’s a good selection of rooms and suites, many with balconies and entrancing sea views. Book the Presidential Suite and you’ll get to enjoy your own spa bath. But regardless of the type of accommodation you choose, you’ll be in for a comfortable stay. You can grab a drink from the mini-bar in your room and channel surf the satellite TV. Keep cool thanks to air-conditioning no matter how hot it gets outside. What’s more, soundproofing means you’re apt to get an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
If you’d like to get some sun, head to the rooftop pool. Surrounded by loungers, it’s a great place for sunbathing while enjoying a sweeping view of the city. But if you’d rather splash in saltwater, you can walk to nearby beaches like Praia de Gamboa and Praia de Prainha. This 4-star hotel, located in Praia, also sits close to museums and other landmarks in the city.
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Oasis Porto Grande
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If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Mindelo, you’ll want to consider Oasis Porto Grande. You can stay in one of the double twin rooms, some of which boast city views. You’ll relax in air-conditioned comfort while watching a show on cable TV and sipping a drink from the minibar. Or, if you’d prefer more space, choose one of the suites. It has all the features of the rooms, plus a comfortable living room.
Like most other 4-star hotels in Cape Verde, Oasis Porto Grande features an outdoor pool. What’s more, there’s a children’s pool to keep the little ones happy in the water. The hotel restaurant offers yummy local and international dishes. At the bar, ask the mixologist to whip up your favorite drink. Feel like hitting the beach? If so, a few minutes’ walk will bring you the white sands of Praia Da Laginha.
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Royal Horizons Boa Vista
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A slew of remarkable features makes the 4-star Royal Horizons Boa Vista one of the best hotels in Cape Verde. For one thing, it offers three outdoor saltwater pools, one for children, that are open year-round. For another thing, the hotel has its own private beach, so you don’t have to worry about overcrowded stretches of sand. And when you start getting thirsty from the sun, head to the beach bar to grab a frosty drink. Sporty types, meanwhile, can work out in the fitness center or head to the sea for watersports. Want to practice your backhand? You can do that at the tennis court. After working up an appetite, head to the restaurant where you can enjoy a lavish buffet.
Accommodation types at this Boa Vista hotel include double or twin rooms and junior suites. Some boast balconies with panoramic views of the sea. Meanwhile, a terrace and a garden provide scenic places to relax. Speaking of relaxation, the hotel spa offers massages and other services to recharge and rejuvenate you. And if you have young kids with you, you can let them enjoy fun activities at the kids’ club.
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Ocean Suites
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Located in Santa Maria in southern Sal, Ocean Suites is a visual delight that makes it one of the best hotels in Cape Verde. Here, you can choose from rooms, studios, and suites. Each is individually decorated with native materials. Meanwhile, the suites take their names from famous local singers. All types of accommodation provide modern comforts including A/C and satellite TV. What’s more, blackout drapes let you enjoy a restful siesta as well as a peaceful night of sleep.
A tiny bar offers beer and light meals and snacks. Need some last-minute souvenirs? You can get them at the gift shop. This adults-only hotel overlooks the main square, with restaurants and shops all around. The sugary Santa Maria beach is likewise a short walk away.
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Robinson Club Cabo Verde
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Another adults-only, beachfront hotel in Santa Maria, Robinson Club Cabo Verde is a great place for a romantic getaway. At this 4-star resort, you can choose from an array of rooms and suites. Some have balconies with garden views while several others offer glimpses of the sea. Air-conditioning keeps the heat at bay. Also, satellite TV provides you with entertainment in your room. And if you’re feeling too lazy to go out, you can call on room service for a bite to eat.
On the other hand, there’s plenty to do if you want to stay active. You can head to the hotel gym for a vigorous workout. Go for a swim in the pool, a jog on the beach, or try windsurfing or kitesurfing in the sea. Later, you can unwind in with a massage in the spa or detox in the sauna.
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Hotel Morabeza
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Surrounded by tropical greenery and positioned steps from the sea, Hotel Morabeza is a beautiful place to stay in Santa Maria. Behind its stone brick facade lie rooms and suites where you can enjoy scenic views of the sea or the garden. As expected from a 4-star hotel, the rooms boast modern features. Take advantage of the free toiletries in the private bathroom and binge-watch a series on satellite TV.
In the morning, fill up with a sumptuous buffet breakfast. Later, indulge in local cuisine, grilled food, and familiar international fare in the on-site restaurants. If you’re vegetarian, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel can accommodate your food preferences. And when it comes to recreation, you’ll have a wide range of choices. There are 3 outdoor pools that are open year-round; one of them is for adults only. A games room lets you enjoy a friendly game of billiards. And if you’re looking for quiet, head to the hotel library for and enjoy some time with a good book.
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Aquiles Eco-Hotel
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When it comes to environmental protection, the Aquiles Eco-Hotel is among the best hotels in Cape Verde. Using renewable energy and encouraging recycling are among its key initiatives. Here, you’ll stay in rooms built from forest stewardship council-certified wood. The furniture, made from recycled wood, is attractive and charming. At this hotel, there’s no air-conditioning. Instead, a fresh-air exchange system keeps rooms cool. Also, you can step out onto the balcony where you can enjoy fresh air and views of the sea and mountain. And in the morning, you can feast on a delicious breakfast consisting of organic and local-grown ingredients.
The 3-star Aquiles Eco-Hotel is in São Pedro, a fisherman’s village in the southwestern part of São Vicente island. The beach is mere steps away. You can go horseback riding on the sand, snorkel amidst schools of fish, and windsurf on the water. Finally, if you’d like to make local friends, you can join the fishermen in their artisanal boats and eat hearty meals in the friendly restaurants.
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Oasis Salinas Sea
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Craving a luxurious beach holiday in Cape Verde? Then you’d do well to consider the Oasis Salinas Sea. This 5-star hotel in Santa Maria has its own private beach where you don’t have to jostle for space to lay down your towel. A huge outdoor pool means you can go for long, leisurely swims. Meanwhile, the surrounding loungers are perfect spots for working on your tan. And you can do so while sipping on a cocktail from the pool bar. When it comes to pampering, you can indulge in massages at the chic spa.
Feel free to take your kids along since this is one of the family-friendly hotels in Cape Verde. The restaurant offers children’s meals and a kid-friendly buffet. What’s more, there’s an indoor play area where your young ones can have fun. The hotel offers family rooms, which come with balconies overlooking the manicured garden. And with children’s channels on satellite TV, your kids won’t lack in-room entertainment.
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Tiduca Hotel
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If the sound of waves breaking on the shore sounds appealing, you’ll enjoy staying at Tiduca Hotel. This 4-star property is in Ponta do Sol, the northernmost city on Santo Antão island, and sits right in front of the ocean. It’s definitely among the best hotels in Cape Verde. Here, most of the rooms and suites feature wraparound balconies, so the sight and sound of the water are constant, day or night. Of course, you can also have total peace and quiet when you close the balcony doors since the rooms and suites are soundproof.
A continental breakfast awaits you in the morning at the hotel restaurant. You can also have brunch, lunch, high tea, and dinner here, where African cuisine takes center stage. A well-equipped gym means you can stay in tip-top shape even while on vacation. Later in the evening, you can unwind with a drink in the hotel bar. And if you’re in the mood for pampering, you can indulge in a fabulous massage service at the spa.
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Pestana Tropico
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If you’re looking to splurge on a luxury stay in Cape Verde’s capital, consider Pestana Tropico. This 4-star hotel is in Praia on Santiago island and offers a bevy of amenities. A huge outdoor saltwater pool invites you to swim at your leisure while a terrace in the colorful garden tempts you to sit back and relax. It’s also a great base from which to start a comprehensive Praia City Tour. Your taste buds can likewise go on an adventure at the hotel restaurant. Here, you can have your fill of Cape Verdian, Portuguese, and international cuisine. Fancy relaxing with a drink? If so, head to the bar where you’ll also enjoy views of the pool and the sea.
After a day of sightseeing or hanging out at the nearby beaches, you can relax in your air-conditioned room or suite. Some types of accommodation boast balconies with views of either the pool or the sea. Meanwhile, the suites offer separate sitting areas. All rooms and suites have contemporary African decor and modern comforts. The ergonomic desks and chairs are handy if you need to get some work done. And for entertainment, you can enjoy shows on satellite TV.
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Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
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There are plenty of reasons why the 5-star Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort is among the best hotels in Cape Verde. First, it’s chock-full of world-class amenities. Here, you can swim in the outdoor pools at any time of the year. Second, it’s home to a casino where you can test your luck. Third, the hotel multiple restaurants and bars. Whether you’re in the mood for a lavish buffet spread or smaller portions of local and international fare, the hotel has you covered. Finally, you can indulge in decadent massages, facials, and other services at the superb spa.
The resort, located in Santa Maria, is a short walk from the beach, where watersports such as surfing are popular. It features spacious and lavishly appointed rooms and suites. Most have balconies overlooking either the pool or the ocean. Your room pretty much has everything you’ll need for a great stay. From air-conditioning and satellite TV to minibars and free toiletries, you’ll enjoy wonderful amenities for a hassle-free holiday.
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Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Cape Verde:
- Barracuda Restaurant & Pub – Set on Santa Maria beach in Sal, this popular establishment specializes in fresh seafood. Check out their house specials including Grilled Green Lobster and Barracuda Rice.
- Tropikal Maio – Enjoy pizza, carpaccio, or raw fish right on the beach at this wonderful restaurant on Maio island. Grab a caipirinha to sip on as you watch one of Cape Verde’s stunning sunsets.
Recommended Activities In Cape Verde:
- Sal: 6-Hour Experience Tour With A Local Certified Guide – Explore the island of Sal and visit popular places like Kite Beach. The fun extends into the water, too, where you’ll get to look at lemon sharks.
- Viveiro Botanical Garden – Also on the island of Sal, it’s a fantastic place to relax amid nature. Home to more than 100 plant species, the garden also offers a zoo.
