Best for: history and culture
Many Mindelo hotels are located beside the beach or marina, but this boutique spot sits on the edge of the city centre. There is a good reason for this and as a result, it offers the best view of all the Mindelo hotels on this list. It’s also more relaxed due to its location away from the busiest streets.
It’s a restored colonial house dating back to 1910 and is one of the most characteristically Cape Verdean spots to stay in the country. From the rooftop, with its swimming pool and restaurant, you’ll overlook Mindelo and its glimmering blue bay.
The walls in the central spaces highlight Cape Verdean artists through a collection of local artworks, reflecting the richness of the country’s culture and soul. The central hall offers a small multilingual library with a carefully selected collection of books, keeping your suitcase light and leaving more room for other necessities, such as an extra swimsuit. The most beautiful room is definitely the panorama suite, which, of course, has a panoramic view.
The hotel’s restaurant, praised for its high-quality, fresh ingredients, sits alongside the large rooftop terrace. The tuna tartare is especially recommended, although its availability depends on whether the local fishermen were able to head out onto the sometimes rough sea and hook something up that day. What more could one want? Perhaps some live music? Say no more: dinner is oftentimes accompanied by Cape Verdean melodies, from morna and funaná to coladeira.
Price: From about £85 per night.
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort, Sal
Best for: resort
On the quieter side of Santa Maria, the main tourist town on Sal, you’ll find the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort. Sal is flatter and drier than most of the other Cape Verde’s islands, and the most visited out of the ten. When you see its long white-sand beaches, clear water, and water sport opportunities, you’ll understand why so many guests choose it as their holiday hotspot.
A stay here can feel busy during peak travel periods, but the sheer size of the Hilton property means guests won’t have to worry about finding an available sunbed or space by the water’s edge at popular Santa Maria beach.
If you’re looking for a quiet, more intimate place to stay, Hilton is not the right choice for you. It is more suited for those who enjoy the ease of a full-service resort, where guests move between the pool and the sandy beaches, with several facilities, restaurants and leisure options available in one place.
Price: From about £120 per night.