Lote Ho 1, Urb. Morrinho de Baguincho, Praia de Boca Salina, Boa Vista, Cape Verde | (888) 708-2081
All-inclusive hotel in gorgeous location on white, sandy beach
Large pool with swim-up bar and whirlpool
Several restaurants offering a variety of Asian, Cape Verdian, and African cuisines
Several bars including a disco and sports bar
Animation team organizing games for guests of all ages
Kids' club with two pools, playground, and indoor activities area
Spa offering beauty and massage treatments
Fitness center with treadmills and exercise bikes
Getting dinner
reservations can be a challenge
Pool can be cold
No shuttle
Fee for Wi-Fi
The family-friendly Clubhotel Riu Karamboa is a huge, all-inclusive, mid-range hotel on a beautiful, white sandy beach. The 852-room property has a large outdoor pool, fitness center, spa, and an animation team arranging activities for all ages. There are also a children’s club and playground for the kids. A variety of bars and restaurants are available, but getting a table may prove challenging, as reservations fill up quickly. Rooms are homey with mini-fridges and African decor, but there’s a fee for Wi-Fi. Another, more affordable property in the chain, Hotel Riu Touareg, is located in Santa Monica and offers adult-only rooms and access to a pool exclusively for adults.
Scene
Families and couples enjoying a beach holiday and lounging by the massive pool
Set on a beautiful, long sandy beach bordering turquoise waters, Clubhotel Riu Karamboa has the feel of an oceanfront castle. Brick pathways lined with palm trees and shrubbery wind around the pale cream-colored building, and lend a romantic, secluded vibe. Inside, pretty, tiled hallways are dotted with African artwork, and the spacious lobby offers woven chairs below a colorful glass ceiling. Mere yards from the beach is a massive pool surrounded by palm trees, with a swim-up bar where guests can enjoy a cocktail. For the children, and there can be a lot of them -- up to 500 around the holidays -- there are a small outdoor playground in the sand and two small pools. With stone walls, a thatched roof, and a waterfall, the spa looks like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. There’s a disco where guests can dance, but there isn't much of a young party scene at the hotel.
Location
Beachfront location within 10-minute drive of airport
Just a 10-minute drive from Rabil Airport, the hotel is set in a picturesque, quiet location on a long stretch of sandy beach. There’s no shuttle at the hotel, but there’s a taxi queue at the hotel's entrance. The village of Sal Rei, Boa Vista’s residential center, can be reached in under 15 minutes by cab. In Sal Rei there are a few local restaurants, shops, and nightlife, as well as a port providing inter-island ferry service.
Rooms
Homey rooms with African decor and mini-fridges
With brown wicker furnishings, curtains with tribal-inspired patterns, and colorful paintings, the guest rooms have a homey feel indicative of their island setting. All rooms have tile balconies or patios with white plastic furniture, and some have ocean views. Suites have double sinks and shower/tub combinations, but standard rooms have smallish showers with brown, African-patterned tiling. All rooms are air-conditioned and have safes, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. Wi-Fi is available for a fee.
Features
Long sandy beach with watersports, huge pool, and daily activities
Clubhotel Riu Karamboa offers a lot of family-friendly amenities. The beachfront hotel has kayaks and snorkeling equipment for guests to use for free, and windsurfing equipment can be rented nearby. There are also a beach volleyball court, shuffleboard, and two floodlit tennis courts. The hotel has a bright, modern fitness center and a spa offering beauty and massage treatments. The outdoor pool is huge with built-in loungers and a swim-up bar, and two small pools are located in the kids' club area. An animation team organizes activities for the kids, and programs with live music or shows for all ages are offered in the evenings. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are available daily, and guests can book reservations at one of three specialty restaurants, serving Asian, Cape Verdian, or African cuisine. The hotel has a sports bar and a disco. An Internet room is available for a fee, and there’s a gift shop selling colorful clothing, sandals, and souvenirs.