Pestana Trópico

The pool water is salt water and really cold. One nice perk is that you can pay extra to check out at 16:00, or even 22:00. The buffet was offered at a reasonable fixed price, but the 370 ml local wine they recommended cost almost as much as the buffet. Ask the price first.

Breakfast was tasty and satisfying, with a decent range, though it was the same every day. The calabaceira juice seemed to be fermenting for at least two days. The hotel and rooms are nice, and the staff are OK, but a few things could be better. More smiles would be welcome. Ana Melo was the one person who was especially cheerful and enthusiastic about her work. Sweeping around the outdoor restaurant tables during breakfast was a really bad idea, since the wind carried dust straight onto the food. That should be done before or after breakfast. The pool is tiny for swimming, with only about 5 meters of usable length and the rest too shallow. Our room safe was broken, and the air-conditioning unit in room 213 was missing a wing.

Carlos Brito at reception deserves a special thank you. He was kind, professional, and quick to help, and his friendly manner made the stay more personal. I was visiting Praia for the first time, and the staff made everything easy, from local tips and restaurant bookings to finding a driver for a full-day island tour. The room was spacious and well kept, with air conditioning that worked properly, which matters in Cape Verde’s climate. I also liked having private outdoor seating where I could relax quietly. Pestana Trópico gave me genuine hospitality and peace of mind, and made the trip memorable. I’d gladly come back and recommend it to anyone visiting Praia.

The staff were friendly and accommodating, even letting us use a room to freshen up after checkout before our late flight. Some rooms are quite dated, but the best ones are at the end of the building, with lovely views across the pool and sea. We had a really lovely week. The location makes it easy to walk into town and to a nearby beach, and the well-kept pool area was a lovely place to relax. The bar snacks were great, the cocktails amazing, and the hotel food was really good, especially those snacks. I’d definitely recommend it for a week in the sun.