The Best Hotels to Book in Cape Verde for Every Traveller

If you’re planning on bringing the kids and don’t want to travel far for entertainment, this laid-back hotel on a hillside is packed with activities. There are all-action thrills on the water (kayaking, windsurfing and jet skis), an Olympic-worthy selection of sports, and vibrant nightly performances. You’ll stay in brightly coloured bungalows spread around lush gardens, numerous pools (some heated) and water features.

One for water babies, this Iberostar is set above the hammock-strung beach at Praia de Chaves. There are three sensational pools, and the fresh, cheerful rooms all have vistas of the blue beyond. The spa centres on a sensual whirlpool bath, and you can join aquafit or aquagym classes or attend surfing and kitesurfing schools. The ocean here has flat spots ideal for novice kitesurfers and windsurfers.

If you’ve a penchant for style, Meliá Dunas is the resort for you. From the chic woven sundeck chairs to the contemporary suites (natural wood, dove grey and white furnishings), it puts an elegance into island holidays, and lets the brilliance of the sun-slapped beaches, sea and pools speak for themselves. Relish them unencumbered – there’s a baby club (six months to four years), kids’ club and teenagers’ club, offering care and activities day and night.

This adults-only hotel, a short hop from Amílcar Cabral International Airport, is a great escape if you’re a couple after a fun time. Set around swimming pools above the blond sands of Bikini Beach, it runs on the easy rhythms of the Atlantic. Go on romantic horse rides together, take dance classes, try kitesurfing and kayaking, then toast each other over cocktails and fabulous food at either the Asian-inspired or Italian restaurants.

Set in the pastel patchwork fishing village of Santa Maria, on the southern tip of Sal Island, this hotel is just the ticket for couples in search of a romantic adventure. Wander the streets together, explore the salt-trading history of the island and chill on wide beaches lapped by clear waters. The outdoor restaurants and live-music bars of Santa Maria round off the island offerings nicely.

If you’re into design, this sleek white hotel from celebrated Portuguese architect Guilherme Paris Couto lies just outside the picturesque fishing village of Santa Maria, 300m (1,000ft) from the beach. Decor is minimal but supremely comfortable (orthopaedic mattress and anti-allergic pillows) – just what you need after a day swimming, sailing, kitesurfing and diving.

If accessibility is a consideration, Oásis Belorizonte has chic grey and white clapboard bungalows built on the beach for easy access, while two rooms are specially adapted for people with reduced mobility. The four restaurants celebrate Cape Verdean and international cuisine with dishes as stylish as they are delicious – the tasting menu presented on a slate platter at restaurant Pedra de Lume is a winner. Special dietary requests are catered for, just ask ahead.

If you’re looking for modern design, this decidedly contemporary hotel on Santiago hits the spot, with a curved glass facade and striking rooftop pool. Floor-to-ceiling windows give stunning views of Praia, the Cape Verde capital. Breakfast is included, and for lunch and dinner you can hit the island restaurants, and the rest of your time can be spent exploring the beaches, markets, ecotours and hikes.

If you’re looking to explore Cape Verde village life, Hotel Pontao is ideally placed in the heart of Santa Maria on Sal Island. The nearby village square is packed with eateries serving red fish and other delicacies fishermen bring daily to the pier, which, like the beach, is just a 10-minute walk away. Back at the hotel, the roof terrace, with a jacuzzi and loungers, is an ideal space to end each day.

If you’re an unabashed townie, Don Paco sits in the hot heart of Mindelo, cultural hub of São Vincente Island, known for morna music, nightlife and carnival every February or March. The main beach is five minutes away, but you’ll get as much of a rush exploring the cobbled squares of this port, with 19th-century architecture, markets, bars and local fare. Start at the hotel restaurant Toni Duarte, with national dish cachupa – a stew made with beans, corn, vegetables and freshly caught fish.

If you’re after a home from home, the hands-on couple who run the three-star Da Luz are unashamedly focused on quality service and displaying the best of Cape Verde. What more could you desire? Their getaway started as a popular restaurant, and 24 years ago they established this now equally popular hotel with a swimming pool set in gardens, minutes from Santa Maria village and its fine beaches.