Top Hotels in Santa Maria Condos
Top Things to do in Santa Maria
Countries
Santa Maria Condos | Places to Stay in Santa Maria
Powdery sand meets turquoise water in Santa Maria, where morna music pours from beachside bars just a short drive from Ilha do Sal's airport and capital city. Add the sun-and-saltwater resort scene to energetic nightlife, and you get one of Cape Verde’s most popular escapes.
Things to do in Santa Maria
1. Porto Antigo Residence
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 345 reviews
Porto Antigo, manages apartments and tourist residences offering Hotel services. Located at 15 de Agosto Street, (0.54 km) 4111, Porto Antigo is located on the famous beach of Santa Maria in Sal Island.
People are confused about what this place is. Lower your expectations
Reviewed By Anne SI almost didn’t book with this place because of past reviews. I am glad I did - here’s why: One thing common in most of the low reviews is the misunderstanding that this is a hotel. It is not. These are private apartments, with some to rent. Therefore, the staff downstairs are not really there to serve you, per se. They can help with some things but don’t expect quick service with a smile for your every need and convenience - go to Hotel Morabeza, Hotel D’Ojo or the Hilton for that. Location is great, it is very close to central with lovely grounds and beach - a bit tucked out but close enough to walk anywhere. The facilities in apartments are clean, functional but worn. They’re old - again, think the first apartment or flat you rented on your own out of student days, and that’s what you should expect. WiFi was excellent! I had the router in my room (37) and it is fast and great. It is for this reason alone I have not complained about the view. I am close to the road, where random men hang out ALL day. For privacy, I’ve had to put a sheet in half the balcony (the building site half); no building was ongoing during my stay but being near the road it is noisier and less private. I know that rooms further from the router don’t have WiFi and have to pay a lot for it. For this reason only, my sheet barrier against the view I don’t like is okay. The other view (towards the sea) is great! Also the mattress is okay but pillows are bad! If I was staying more than 3 nights I would leave because of the impending neck pain. Lower your expectations about what a self catering budget apartment on a low income island will be and you will be fine here!
2. Leme Bedje Residence
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 63 reviews
Leme Bedje Residence is situated in Santa Maria. It has a restaurant and apartments with sea views. Each apartment has an equipped kitchenette, a living room with a sofa and TV, and a private bathroom. The apartment has an outdoor swimming pool. Wifi is free.
Convenient and good value
Reviewed By MathiasLaKBooked through travel agency TUI. Two room apartment. Spacious, clean and well equipped for a family of four. Good facilities for own cooking. Close to a small beach, minimarket and restaurants in the outskirts of Santa Maria. 10 minutes walk to the finer beach and the nice town center. A bit worn, but really up to the expectations for a three star accomodation. The staff were very polite, helpful and immedaitelay resolved any issus we had. Cleaning every day and a mostly working wifi. Highly recommended unless regular tourist all inclusive care is your thing or you want to spend the Holiday streaming Netflix. Note that some apartments requires a bit of a walk up and down stairs, so look for a ground level apartment if that is an issue.
3. Aparthotel Ponta Preta
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 55 reviews
Great time
Reviewed By D2878GZsarahcSo, we were allocated No4 and we were disappointed that we didn't have a view. Lucy at reception very quickly changed our room for next day to No18 upstairs. It was perfect. Nice views,quiet and clean. (No cockroaches etc as I've read in other reviews!!) Water pressure great and free wi-fi. Enough equipment in the kitchen if you really want to cook a basic meal!! Linen and towels changed weekly...That's great,we shouldn't waste water there ;) A quiet beach is literally 2mins away but you can't get in the sea easily because of rocks. The main beach is only 7 mins away and it's great. (Take insect repellent for the horseflies in afternoon and an insect bite cream in case they get you!!) We only got 2 bites;) All in all it was a great holiday... Relax and enjoy ?
4. Djadsal Moradias Tropical Resort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
Self Catering on Sal (Djadsal Moradias Apartment)
Reviewed By Muffin1978We booked a double roomed apartment within the Djadsal Moradias complex which was great, spacious, comfy with all the basic modern appliances we needed (Cooker, freezer, aircon, TV, washing machine)- it isn't the Hilton but that wasn't what we were looking for. The apartments are a bit out of town but you can walk along the promenade (for lack of a better word) which is accessed down a small sand track opposite and then all the way to the town centre. You are at the quieter end of the beach which is lovely and there are a couple of restaurants, bars and shops if you have a lazy day. The island its self is pretty barren, there is a beautiful beach and great sea (beware the wind though!) but not much else - so if you are going be aware of a few things. the Island is being taken over by the 'all inclusive' hotels in the centre - the buses flow in and out of these and offer full catering and fun for the family - so much so that people hardly venture out. This is, at least I thought, starting to take effect on Santa Maria. Hopefully, this will come right - there seems to be a lot of construction going on - which I hope attracts people away from their sun loungers. So if you are going to see the Island, and not just the inside of a resort, then be aware that food is expensive, extremely high in the supermarket* (its very small) as is beer and wine. Many of the main restaurants along the beachfront are overpriced and not amazing, I'd recommend hunting through trip advisor to find the gems (i'll mention a few below) - There is little to none produce on Sal (there is no soil) so apart from the fish that are caught daily everything else is flown in. The sites, although limited, are nice and you can arrange a day trip for around £20 per adult - it's not a full day but well worth seeing (shark bay being the best, we missed turtle season that is Oct/Nov) Some recommendations - Londres bar - the owners are great, local music and nice tapas. Cafe Creol - the menu is limited but its got some cracking fish dishes and is really well priced We made many friends out there and will be back, although I think a week is long enough unless we plan to fly to another island. The only sour point was the local market - or so-called market selling local things in the centre of Santa Maria - this is to be avoided, once you enter you are hustled and badgered in what became a quite unnerving manner and blocked from getting out. Hope this is helpful?
5. Gest Plain Apartments
Overall Ratings
3 based on 10 reviews
Gestplain Island tour excursion - AVOID!
Reviewed By gllrmmpIn front of the "Porto Antigo II" we booked a Gestplain tour, 20eur/person from 9 to 15h. It was an absolute disgrace and waste of time, and I recommend to avoid at all costs. Here the reasons: 1. The trip started with the driver going around the streets slowly, in circles, until after 20 minutes he told us that we have to stop to pick two more people. 2. With the 2 couples in the car, he started driving at max 50 km/h. At first I thought it was to allow us to enjoy the views. But even with no views he NEVER went above 50km/h. That's OK the first half an hour. When every car is passing you, it's silly. 3. No much info nor interesting facts about the island. After stopping at the two firsts spots, one realises that the island has no much to give. Every stop is in fact a tourist trap. 4. At 10:30h, in one stop, the driver offered a menu for our lunch, to decide in advance the dishes. Well, prices were expensive compared to any other place, and when we showed hesitation the driver threaten that going to other places could cause a major delay "it can take 2 hours to have lunch in other places". We decided to only eat a sandwich. Or nothing, given the ways things were. 5. Why do we have to drive through the "favelas" as if it was a highlight? It's embarrassing. 6. Buracona is a ridiculous tourist trap. I can't find why people would find this interesting. Unless you've never seen waves hitting rocks or water reflecting the sky. 7. The driver sensed our boredom, and since then he was totally off. 8. After 11:30h, I seriously start doubting that this driver has a licence for driving. He flooded the car at one point and with the car stopped it took him a few seconds to realise that the car was waiting for someone to start it again. 9. We stopped at the restaurant in Palmeira; no prices and no local people inside (it was empty). We finally ordered ham&cheese sandwiches for 100 escudos each, indeed checking the prices first. 10. The driver did not know what to do. So we told him that we would eat our sandwiches walking around the small village. We happily found a harbor after the next turn, with fisherman arriving with the catch. The driver appeared after 10 minutes, as he suddenly realised that he is expected to be with us. 11. We go to the shark bay experience. Thank you for NOT telling us in advance that a protective footwear is expected. We went into the water with our trail shoes. Not because we cannot afford renting shoes, but because we were tired of being treated as objects. The driver threaten us again saying that there are sea urchins. The experience itself is OK. 12. We go to the salines. Another OK experience. But what about thinking that this could be the last stop? after this we have to go around with a heavy layer of salt, quite uncomfortable. 13. the driver hits 60. He slows down back to 40 again. It's a boring long straight road. 14. the view point is ok, but nothing else. How this could be improved: - Foot down and do the trip from 9h to 12h. Do not waste my time and let me have lunch at a place of my own choice. I am sorry for your friends at the restaurant. - Do not hide info, let us know if we have to rent stuff at places or pay for the entry. Else, expect to be hated. - Do not threat my decisions. - Do not ever let your 4 clients to walk away from you. Best of the day: - arrive home at 15h. After rushing at 40km/h the entire day. - the invisibles sea urchins.
6. Leme Bedje Residence
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 63 reviews
Leme Bedje Residence is situated in Santa Maria. It has a restaurant and apartments with sea views. Each apartment has an equipped kitchenette, a living room with a sofa and TV, and a private bathroom. The apartment has an outdoor swimming pool. Wifi is free.
Convenient and good value
Reviewed By MathiasLaKBooked through travel agency TUI. Two room apartment. Spacious, clean and well equipped for a family of four. Good facilities for own cooking. Close to a small beach, minimarket and restaurants in the outskirts of Santa Maria. 10 minutes walk to the finer beach and the nice town center. A bit worn, but really up to the expectations for a three star accomodation. The staff were very polite, helpful and immedaitelay resolved any issus we had. Cleaning every day and a mostly working wifi. Highly recommended unless regular tourist all inclusive care is your thing or you want to spend the Holiday streaming Netflix. Note that some apartments requires a bit of a walk up and down stairs, so look for a ground level apartment if that is an issue.
7. Djadsal
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
Very relaxing, well equipped, great location
Reviewed By kraftterrierMy friend and I stayed here for a week and can recommend it. Good location for town and beach, small supermarket right next door and lovely pool area. There is a much larger supermarket in town about a 15 minute walk away The apartment we stayed in was a ground floor one, booked through booking com (it would probably be cheaper to book direct) and had just been refurbished, it was very well equipped and comfortable. Vikki was very friendly and helpful. There is not much sightseeing to be done on this island but if you are just looking for a relaxing place to enjoy winter sun it is excellent.
