This island chain spanning not one, but 10 volcanic islands is one of the best places to get away from it all, and is quickly becoming a destination on par with the Caribbean in the minds of many travelers. National Geographic also named it as one of its “Best Trips” in 2014.
Though Cape Verde is located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, you don’t have to rough it, as there are plenty of high-end accommodations to choose from. Here are our picks for the best resort hotels in Cape Verde.
Riu Touareg
Located on the island of Boa Vista, the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Touareg is a virtual slice of paradise. One of the prominent features of the hotel is the large outdoor area which includes three salt water swimming pools, a freshwater swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a hammam and plenty of massages to go around. There’s also an adults-only wing if you don’t want to be bothered by children tagging along. There are a whopping 881 guest rooms on the property, including suites with hydromassage bathtubs. Dining at the hotel is superb, and there are various themed restaurants on site serving up international cuisine. It’s also close to some of the island’s spectacular beaches like Playas de las Tortugas, Chaves Beach, and Santa Monica.
IBEROSTAR Club Boa Vista
This seafront hotel in Chaves Beach offers 5-star service with fantastic beauty at every turn. Couples and families alike will enjoy the amenities and activities that are available here. Most of the rooms are large and classy, with many having fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean. There are several restaurants onsite serving a mix of international fare, along with bars by the beach and the pool — perfect for relaxing in the sun and sipping cocktails all day. The beach in the area is perfect for beginning surfers, and there is also a large gym onsite for some last minute work on that beach bod.
Clubhotel Riu Karamboa
Also located on Boa Vista, the Clubhotel Riu Karamboa is another excellent all-inclusive option on the island. Like the Riu Touareg, this offering is situated on the beach as well and will get you similar picturesque views. It’s slightly smaller, but still offers 750 rooms and all of the amenities you could think of with 24 hour service. Activities available include beach volleyball, shuffleboard, an aqua gym, kayaking, and snorkeling. Guests will want to check out the Renova Spa, offering many massage treatments to put you in complete relaxation.
Melia Tortuga Beach
This oasis of a hotel is located in Sal and is definitely one of the best places to relax and get pampered in Cape Verde. The location is one of the best on the island, and the exquisite facilities take the beach holiday experience to the next level. The hotel offers 286 luxurious suites, apartments and villas, with options to suit everybody’s needs. The pools are large and immaculate, featuring swim up bars for enjoying cocktails during the day, along with a waterside restaurant in short walking distance for a quick lunch. Head to the O Grille Beach Bar and Grille, voted as one of the top 50 bars in the world by CNN, to enjoy perfectly-mixed drinks while watching an incredible Cape Verde sunset. It would be a mistake to leave without going to the YHI Spa, which offers a mix of innovative treatments and massages to get your mind and body relaxed.
Hotel Morabeza
Built in the 1960s by a Belgian industrialist, this smaller seaside resort has been pleasing travelers coming to Cape Verde for over 40 years. The 88 rooms and 33 suites are all overlooking the sea or the gardens, and feature balconies for relaxing in the tropical sun. The hotel has several fashionable restaurants with exquisite cuisine, but guests often flock to the Beach Club for a shaded spot overlooking the beach at lunch. There are quite a few activities to participate in at the hotel, including three swimming pools to relax in, two tennis courts, volleyball, a fitness course, archery, mini-golf, snooker tables, table tennis, darts, and more. Of course, the beach and weather is why most people come, and the sand and water around the hotel are some of the best in Cape Verde.
Clubhotel Riu Funana
With yet another place on our list, this 500-room Riu offering on the island of Sal is an all-inclusive beachfront hotel centered around a large pool. Like many Riu resorts, it’s a great place for families and couples alike, with plenty of amenities like pools and saunas to go around for all the guests. This location is home to the “Pacha” nightclub, where guests come to party all night or just enjoy the ocean breeze from the terraces at the bars. Activities here won’t have you wanting, and include kayaking, snorkeling, rifle shooting, volleyball, bodyboarding and plenty of more water activities. It’s also located in a great place to explore the rest of the island, including the desert, Pedra da Lume (a dormant volcano) and the perfect natural pools of Buracona.