Hotel 4 Bintang di Praia, Cape Verde

We have stayed at this hotel several times after coming to Cape Verde for 17 years, the first time being when it first opened. We have always been totally satisfied with it but felt disappointed this time. We stayed for 2 nights at the start of our holiday before going to another island and 1 night at the end of our holiday. In the first room we couldn't change channels on the tv because it had moved within the wooden frame so the remote couldn't find the signal. The beds weren't very comfy, felt old and tired, there was no plug for the kettle, we had to either unplug the fridge or put the kettle on the floor by the window. When we went for breakfast the staff member was very unfriendly and there was no one to make fresh eggs. We asked if there was any fresh bread & she just said no. The coffee was lukewarm. The pool and pool area were good but we had to wait ages for staff at the bar to get a drink and to get a towel for the loungers. During our last stay before flying home we were relaxing by the pool, again waiting for a drink, and a loud group arrived, singing, dancing & drinking (the staff had arrived by this time) and being very loud. They weren't aggressive but we felt very uncomfortable and decided to leave. Such a shame as we have always enjoyed our previous stays but we both said we wouldn't stay there again in future.

Fomos muito bem recebidos e já era bastante tarde quando chegámos. O pequeno almoço era variado e muito bom, com fruta local deliciosa. Ficava bastante perto da praia e tinha sempre um refresco à entrada do hotel. O quarto era muito agradável e estava limpo. Voltarei de certeza.

After passing through an impressive foyer the rest of this hotel has the ambiance of a prison with austere concrete, minimal landscaping, surly staff (especially in reception) plus security guards much in evidence. It is really a business hotel with minimal facilities for leisure travellers. A miserly 50ml bottle of water supplied on Day 1. Then had to buy water at the bar as no shops in the area. Much needed as tap water not potable and it reached 30 deg on some days in January (the coolest month). The other Cape Verde hotel I stayed (on Sal) provided 1.5ml on day 1. I had a superior sea view room so did have a large balcony. The other rooms had very little outside space. Not a problem if you are on business but not if staying for a few days as a tourist. The swimming pool is surrounded by crumbling concrete and loose slabs. There is no information supplied anywhere about any aspect of the hotel such as times of meals or facilities (except the cost of times in the minibar). The three restaurants each function at different times for the different meals. The breakfast was good quality and varied. ‘Normal black tea bags’ were stored behind the counter and only issued on request. Politely requesting lemon for my tea was met with a shrug except on day 5. Noisy parties were held in this room for birthdays etc in the evening. Bedrooms in great need of refurbishment with tiles almost coming off the wall of the shower area. My shower which had a mechanical problem reported on day 1 was never fixed, and the water always luke warm in all rooms. One day the hotel’s old infrastructure failed so no water at all for a while. Located on the far outskirts of Praia with very little to see or do in the area as it is mainly housing on busy roads.

Points positifs : le personnel de l’hôtel est gentil, la chambre est relativement propre et bien équipée pour le prix. Points négatifs : l’hôtel est situé en dehors de Praia, nécessitant de prendre un taxi à chaque fois pour nous rendre en ville ou visiter quelque chose. Le déjeuner est plus que limite, ça ne mérite pas un 4 étoiles, il y avait à peine 3 morceaux de fruits (qui ne faisaient pas très envie), des petits pains, pas de confiture ou de beurre, du café soluble. De plus, il n’existe pas de salle de fitness, celle-ci est remplacée par un entrepôt d’alcool et de chicha. Un peu bizarre. Attention : durant notre deuxième nuit, l’hôtel Happy day a été victime d’une attaque par un groupe de jeune angolais. D’après les bruits que nous avons pu entendre, ils sont entrés dans la chambre à côté de la nôtre dans le but de cambrioler, ensuite ils sont descendu d’un étage et nous avons entendu des très violentes altercations avec beaucoup de gens qui criaient, des meubles qui bougeaient et des coups. Cela a duré environ 30-45 minutes. Nous nous sentions pas en sécurité. Le lendemain, nous avons demandé à la réception ce qu’il s’était passé, la dame a essayé d’étouffer l’affaire. Nous avons tout de même décider de quitter l’hôtel pour notre sécurité.

We stayed here twice during our family holidays to Cape Verde Islands with our grown up kids. Our 2 rooms were very comfortable, the beds quite new and we had good sleeps. The last stay we got an upgrade. The staff did a lot to accommodate our wishes. The pool on the top terrace has a beautiful view of the ocean and Praia. Location is close to sights. At night not recommended to walk from there as the area may be a little insecure after dark.

We have stayed at this hotel several times after coming to Cape Verde for 17 years, the first time being when it first opened. We have always been totally satisfied with it but felt disappointed this time. We stayed for 2 nights at the start of our holiday before going to another island and 1 night at the end of our holiday. In the first room we couldn't change channels on the tv because it had moved within the wooden frame so the remote couldn't find the signal. The beds weren't very comfy, felt old and tired, there was no plug for the kettle, we had to either unplug the fridge or put the kettle on the floor by the window. When we went for breakfast the staff member was very unfriendly and there was no one to make fresh eggs. We asked if there was any fresh bread & she just said no. The coffee was lukewarm. The pool and pool area were good but we had to wait ages for staff at the bar to get a drink and to get a towel for the loungers. During our last stay before flying home we were relaxing by the pool, again waiting for a drink, and a loud group arrived, singing, dancing & drinking (the staff had arrived by this time) and being very loud. They weren't aggressive but we felt very uncomfortable and decided to leave. Such a shame as we have always enjoyed our previous stays but we both said we wouldn't stay there again in future.

Fomos muito bem recebidos e já era bastante tarde quando chegámos. O pequeno almoço era variado e muito bom, com fruta local deliciosa. Ficava bastante perto da praia e tinha sempre um refresco à entrada do hotel. O quarto era muito agradável e estava limpo. Voltarei de certeza.

After passing through an impressive foyer the rest of this hotel has the ambiance of a prison with austere concrete, minimal landscaping, surly staff (especially in reception) plus security guards much in evidence. It is really a business hotel with minimal facilities for leisure travellers. A miserly 50ml bottle of water supplied on Day 1. Then had to buy water at the bar as no shops in the area. Much needed as tap water not potable and it reached 30 deg on some days in January (the coolest month). The other Cape Verde hotel I stayed (on Sal) provided 1.5ml on day 1. I had a superior sea view room so did have a large balcony. The other rooms had very little outside space. Not a problem if you are on business but not if staying for a few days as a tourist. The swimming pool is surrounded by crumbling concrete and loose slabs. There is no information supplied anywhere about any aspect of the hotel such as times of meals or facilities (except the cost of times in the minibar). The three restaurants each function at different times for the different meals. The breakfast was good quality and varied. ‘Normal black tea bags’ were stored behind the counter and only issued on request. Politely requesting lemon for my tea was met with a shrug except on day 5. Noisy parties were held in this room for birthdays etc in the evening. Bedrooms in great need of refurbishment with tiles almost coming off the wall of the shower area. My shower which had a mechanical problem reported on day 1 was never fixed, and the water always luke warm in all rooms. One day the hotel’s old infrastructure failed so no water at all for a while. Located on the far outskirts of Praia with very little to see or do in the area as it is mainly housing on busy roads.

Points positifs : le personnel de l’hôtel est gentil, la chambre est relativement propre et bien équipée pour le prix. Points négatifs : l’hôtel est situé en dehors de Praia, nécessitant de prendre un taxi à chaque fois pour nous rendre en ville ou visiter quelque chose. Le déjeuner est plus que limite, ça ne mérite pas un 4 étoiles, il y avait à peine 3 morceaux de fruits (qui ne faisaient pas très envie), des petits pains, pas de confiture ou de beurre, du café soluble. De plus, il n’existe pas de salle de fitness, celle-ci est remplacée par un entrepôt d’alcool et de chicha. Un peu bizarre. Attention : durant notre deuxième nuit, l’hôtel Happy day a été victime d’une attaque par un groupe de jeune angolais. D’après les bruits que nous avons pu entendre, ils sont entrés dans la chambre à côté de la nôtre dans le but de cambrioler, ensuite ils sont descendu d’un étage et nous avons entendu des très violentes altercations avec beaucoup de gens qui criaient, des meubles qui bougeaient et des coups. Cela a duré environ 30-45 minutes. Nous nous sentions pas en sécurité. Le lendemain, nous avons demandé à la réception ce qu’il s’était passé, la dame a essayé d’étouffer l’affaire. Nous avons tout de même décider de quitter l’hôtel pour notre sécurité.

We stayed here twice during our family holidays to Cape Verde Islands with our grown up kids. Our 2 rooms were very comfortable, the beds quite new and we had good sleeps. The last stay we got an upgrade. The staff did a lot to accommodate our wishes. The pool on the top terrace has a beautiful view of the ocean and Praia. Location is close to sights. At night not recommended to walk from there as the area may be a little insecure after dark.