Casa Branca

This doesn’t feel like a four-star hotel. The rooms were dirty, even though they looked okay at first glance, and the mattresses were so old they hurt to sleep on. Half the restaurant menu wasn’t available.

The staff did everything they could to clean up and look after guests when a tropical storm hit during our first night, causing a lot of damage and water getting into the hotel from the heavy rain. They were exceptional under difficult circumstances. We spent two nights at Casa Branca on the way to Santa Antaõ. It’s near Mindelo’s lively centre, with nice restaurants and live music, and the hotel itself is lovely, with huge, luxurious rooms. If you’re in Mindelo, stay at Casa Branca, you won’t be disappointed.

Our room was perfect, spacious, with a good balcony. The breakfast was the best we’ve had on the trip, with lots of menu choices. The staff were attentive and friendly, and the location is close to the centre without being too loud. The only drawback is the hotel built mostly in front of this one, but I’d still stay here again.

I spent three nights at Casa Branca and was happy to spend much of the day there, using the spa and restaurant. It has a personal feel because it’s not very large, and the staff were extremely courteous and polite despite some language barriers. The coffee, cappuccinos and espressos were great, and beer and wine are available on site until 2300. I also went to their New Year’s Eve dinner, which was a lot of fun and excellent value. The courses were fantastic and showcased Cabo Verde’s culture. Hotel Casa Branca will leave you with fond memories of Cabo Verde.