Hotel Morabeza

Set right on the sandy Santa Maria Beach, Hotel Morabeza might not be one of the most modern hotels lining the shores of this charming fishing town, but it's a solid choice that attracts couples and families with kids alike. Interiors feature pleasant, traditional decor. The lobby's tile floors and stone accent walls are paired with wooden wall panelling and wicker furniture. The on-site Les Palmiers restaurant features a similar look; its wicker chairs and white tablecloth-clad tables seem to melt into the wooden floors and white walls. Potted palm trees dispersed throughout the space save it from looking bland and boring. The true highlight is outdoors, with a lovely sandy beach right at the doorstep, as well as three attractive pools with plenty of space to lounge around on sunbeds. Even business travelers are catered to here with three meeting rooms, but most of the clientele is composed of tourists on vacation -- mainly Europeans seeking a sunshine-filled getaway.

The small and charming fishing town of Santa Maria features a beautiful sandy beach that stretches nearly five miles along the coast in the southern part of the island of Sal. It's popular for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, and there are lots of hotels lining the shore. Hotel Morabeza occupies a scenic beachfront location that's close to the conveniences of town, with plenty of restaurants and bars within a short walk of the property. Amílcar Cabral International Airport is a 20-minute drive away.

Rooms are doused in soft colors and sunlight thanks to large windows and doors that open onto private furnished balconies/terraces. The cream and beige color scheme has a serene effect, with cream hued furniture that pairs well with striped bedspreads and cream tile floors. Framed tropical prints on the walls add some visual interest. All rooms have work desks, and suites add separate living rooms.

Standard amenities include air-conditioning, TVs (though some are tube-style models), electronic safes, and mini-fridges. There are no tea/coffee-making facilities and Wi-Fi incurs a charge. Bathrooms are also cloaked in cream hues and have modern features like walk-in rainfall showers (some have shower/tub combos, and some suites have both soaking tubs and separate rainfall showers). Bathrooms also include double sinks, toilets, bidets, magnifying mirrors, and wall-mounted hairdryers, plus toiletries are provided.

Some rooms overlook the pools, with the ocean in the distance. 

Features at hotel Morabeza emphasize relaxation and sunshine. The hotel has three lovely outdoor pools, all offering plenty of umbrella shaded sunbeds on charming wooden sundecks. Guests have direct access to a sandy beach, which also offers sunbeds and umbrellas and is a popular spot for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and diving (lessons and rentals are available for a fee).

The hotel's Beach Club restaurant serves a la carte fare for lunch, plus it offers a kids' menu. Les Palmiers provides buffet breakfasts and an a la carte dinner menu, as well as hosting Cape Verdean buffets on Saturday nights. Breakfast includes fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts, cheese, ham, breads, pastries, pancakes, jams, fruit juices, and a choice of eggs. Daily menus for those staying on half-board plans are available here as well. La Tortue restaurant is another choice for a la carte dinners. There are three bars on-site as well, including a bar at the beach and a bar by the pool.  

The fitness room is a bit spare in terms of equipment, offering just a couple of cardio and strength-training machines. There are also two tennis courts on-site, as well as a volleyball court, mini-golf, pétanque, and archery. A game room includes a pool table, board games, and ping-pong. The hotel caters to business travelers with three meeting rooms and audiovisual equipment. There's also a business center on-site, but Wi-Fi incurs a charge.