"RIU Cabo Verde – A beautiful location, but we expected more from the RIU brand"
We have stayed at several RIU hotels over the years and have always been very satisfied. That is exactly why we chose RIU Cabo Verde for our holiday on Sal Island. Unfortunately, this time our expectations were not fully met.
This is not a bad hotel. On the contrary, it has many strong points. However, throughout our stay we felt that the overall standard of service did not match what we expected from a five-star RIU property.
ROOM
Our room was spacious, and the beds were large and very comfortable. In addition to the air conditioning, there was also a large ceiling fan. The air conditioning was occasionally quite noisy, although not constantly.
The bathroom was spacious, and we particularly appreciated having two sinks.
What surprised us was that the room did not include slippers, bathrobes or body lotion, which we had always considered standard in other RIU hotels.
The biggest disappointment was the wardrobe. From the outside it looked perfectly clean, but the inside of the wardrobe doors was visibly dirty, as if it had not been cleaned for a very long time. Because of this, we did not use the wardrobe at all. We only used the safe, which is located inside it.
Wi-Fi worked well throughout most of the resort, although the signal on the beach was weak or unavailable.
The effects of the humid tropical climate are noticeable in some interior areas of the hotel. Nevertheless, the resort is well maintained, the gardens are beautiful and the hotel itself looks very attractive from the outside.
The sound insulation between rooms was about average. If your neighbours are considerate, you'll have no issues. If they decide to play loud music and sing along late into the evening, you will definitely hear them.
One thing that surprised us was the number of mosquitoes in the rooms. Almost every guest we spoke to had mosquito bites.
STAFF
We were very satisfied with the housekeeping service. The rooms were cleaned every day, and towels were replaced regularly.
The entertainment team deserves special praise. The young staff members were friendly, energetic, spoke excellent languages and managed to involve guests without ever being pushy.
Unfortunately, we cannot say the same about the reception staff. On several occasions, while we were speaking to a receptionist, they interrupted our conversation to deal with another guest or talk to a colleague before finishing with us. We found this rather unprofessional.
Another issue was the language skills of some restaurant staff. Ordering simple items was never a problem, but whenever we tried to have a longer conversation in English or Spanish, some employees struggled to understand us. Eventually we limited our communication to very simple requests.
RESTAURANTS
The selection of food at breakfast, lunch and dinner was more than sufficient, and everyone should be able to find something they enjoy.
The vegetables, however, were disappointing. It was obvious that most of them were imported rather than locally grown, and they simply did not taste as fresh.
We recommend sitting on the outdoor terrace whenever possible. Inside the main restaurant there was often an unpleasant smell, while dining outside was much more enjoyable.
On several occasions we found dirty cups and cutlery already placed on set tables.
We were also surprised to see some staff handling prepared food with their bare hands instead of wearing gloves.
Every morning we also had to ask separately for regular cow's milk.
We cannot really comment on the alcoholic drinks because we only drink wine. However, the coffee served in the air-conditioned café next to the reception was excellent.
We visited two à la carte restaurants. Both were worth visiting, although we found the Italian restaurant slightly less impressive than the other one. We did not visit the steakhouse.
BEACH AND POOLS
The beach is absolutely beautiful. The waves are fantastic, although they are also surprisingly powerful. We witnessed several situations where older guests struggled to get out of the water, but fortunately the lifeguard reacted immediately every time.
There were always plenty of sunbeds available both by the pool and on the beach.
However, we were surprised that neither the beach nor the sunbeds were maintained very well. The loungers were often covered with sand and guests had to clean and arrange them themselves before use.
The beach bar was another disappointment. The range of drinks was very limited and, as far as alcoholic beverages were concerned, beer was practically the only option. We would at least have appreciated being able to order a glass of wine.
It is also worth mentioning that although RIU Cabo Verde is an adults-only hotel, the beach is shared with the neighbouring RIU Funana, which welcomes families with children. This did not bother us much because the beach is large enough for everyone to find a quiet spot.
One thing we really appreciated was the local conservation programme. Sea turtles and several bird species lay their eggs on the beach, and the eggs are carefully protected in a designated and clearly marked conservation area until they hatch. It was wonderful to see that protecting local wildlife is taken seriously.
ENTERTAINMENT AND FACILITIES
Various activities are organised throughout the day, including Kahoot quizzes and bingo. In the evenings there are themed shows, including the Neon Party and White Party, with lively music and many well-known songs. The atmosphere was enjoyable.
Another advantage is that the amphitheatre is located far enough from the accommodation blocks, so the evening entertainment does not disturb guests who prefer a quiet night.
We also highly appreciated the shower facilities near the reception for guests with late departures. Although check-out is at noon, we were able to take a shower before leaving for the airport, and clean towels were provided. This is an excellent service.
We stayed in Block 5, which we found to be an ideal location, with easy access to both the beach and the swimming pools.
SURROUNDINGS
Golf lovers will appreciate the nearby golf course. A taxi costs around €10 each way, and all equipment can be rented there.
We also recommend visiting Santa Maria, a pleasant little town with cafés, restaurants and shops that is well worth exploring.
WHAT UNFORTUNATELY AFFECTED OUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Unfortunately, our otherwise enjoyable holiday ended with a very unpleasant experience. During our flight home, my adult daughter suddenly became seriously ill with severe diarrhoea, vomiting and later a high fever. Around twelve hours after arriving back in the Czech Republic, she required emergency medical treatment and was admitted to hospital, where she was treated with antibiotics.
We cannot say with certainty what caused her illness. Throughout our stay we drank only bottled water supplied daily by the hotel and even used it for brushing our teeth. Nevertheless, these serious health problems occurred, and unfortunately they became an important part of our overall experience.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
RIU Cabo Verde is certainly not a bad hotel. It offers a beautiful beach, attractive surroundings, comfortable accommodation and many employees who genuinely do an excellent job.
Had this been a four-star hotel, we would probably have been very satisfied. However, from a five-star RIU hotel we expected a higher standard of service, greater professionalism and much more attention to detail.
In our opinion, it is precisely those small details that distinguish a good hotel from an excellent one.
