Cabocan Lote A2, A3, Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal 4111 Cape Verde
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#16 of 28 hotels in Santa Maria
Location
4.2
Cleanliness
4.6
Service
4.5
Value
4.2
Travelers' Choice
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Ocean view
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Family
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47Car recommended
Grade: 47 out of 100
14Restaurantswithin 0.75 miles
6Attractionswithin 0.75 miles
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Cabocan Lote A2, A3, Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal 4111 Cape Verde
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The hotel was large and clean but a little dated, food was ok but everything was tepid even the salad selection ( the speciality restaurants were not any better, never had battered onion rings,shushi or boiled sprouts in a Chinese before. Entertainment was 80% ok, pools were large enough for everyone to get a sunbed, some bar staff would serve French and German before English which was annoying. Overall a nice stay but would not go back because of the MOSQUITOS BE WARNED !!!!!!!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
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Room Tip: take plenty mosquito repellents
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
Hotel's Favorite
Myself and my fiancé have recently come home from our 2 week, all inclusive holiday at RIU Funana! We have never stayed in a 5* resort before or a RIU and so we can only compare from previous 4* resorts we have stayed in. From our opinions Funana is a brilliant 5* hotel and has so many amazing qualities! Room: We arrived late at night due to a flight delay, the staff were so welcoming and offered us food in the restaurant, however we were tired and needed our beds! Our bags were taken up to our room and we were given lots of great information about the hotel and where everything was etc. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we couldn’t believe how big and grand the hotel was, the word ‘out dated’ definitely did NOT come to mind. Once in our room, again we were so pleased! The room was a double room, it was very spacious and had a separate toilet and shower. I had seen previous reviews about the shower door being see through which is definitely not true. The rooms have lots of character and I feel because they aren’t black and white, they aren’t ‘modern’ to some people. I personally loved the room and there was everything you could have needed in there. We had a room in block 6 facing the pool which was lovely, and much quieter than we anticipated! Our room was cleaned everyday and large bottles of water were provided. I have seen previous reviews about mosquitoes getting into the room as the cleaners were leaving the balcony doors open, however this was not the case for us. Food and drink: The main buffet restaurant (Espargos) was brilliant! It was huge with tables inside and out, meaning plenty of room for everyone. Most of the reviews I have read say that people saw flies on the food?? We were there for 2 whole week and I never saw this, there were flies in the restaurant but this cannot be helped by staff? The restaurant is inside and so it’s just unfortunate that flies get in. As for the food, there was so much choice at every meal! Breakfast they had everything! Cereal, lots of different types of bread, fruit, yogurts, cured meats, cooked breakfast items, omelettes, donuts, pancakes, jams, chocolate spreads, honey… the list goes on! At lunch there was again plenty of choice such as freshly made pizzas and pastas, meat, rice, veg, cold pasta salads, more fresh bread, burgers, hot dogs, literally everything you could think of. It is difficult to choose different things to eat everyday and so I understand why people may get bored, however there is plenty of choice and I made a conscience effort to try and have different things everyday. Tea food was brilliant, there were no themed nights which we have had in previous hotels and so we did miss this change. However there were 3 other restaurants in the hotel which you cold book really easily on the RIU app. We never had any trouble booking and were sometimes able to book 1 day in advance. We didn’t eat at the Kulinarium however we heard good reviews from other people staying at Funana. We ate in both the Mambana grill restaurant and the Mandalay Chinese restaurant. The Mambana is also used as a snack bar during the day which had lots of snack foods. You are not to take the food around the pool however we saw lots of people still doing this. The Mambana was used as a grill restaurant at night, we ate here twice during our stay. The restaurant had some similar foods to the main buffet restaurant however this was things like rice, chips and potatoes and so there isn’t really other choices you would expect. There were so many different types of meat such as pork, steak, grilled chicken, chorizo sausages, chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, chicken skewers, calamari and also different types of pasta and salad. The Mandalay was our personal favourite restaurant and we ate here 3 times! Their was so much choice of sushi and fresh salads, spring rolls, prawn crackers, onion rings, battered shrimp, and that’s just the starters! For mains there was chicken curry (this was our personal favourite as it had so much flavour!), sweet and sour pork, beef teppanyaki, chicken skewers, bbq ribs, different styles of soups, vegetarian options, plain rice and noodles, and Chinese rice and vegetable noodles, and all of it was delicious! In all the restaurants we ate in, there was plenty of pudding choices such as small cakes, fruit, jelly, ice cream, mouses and more! There really was too much to choose from and definitely more than enough variety! The drinks on offer were lots of different cocktails, soft drinks, beer and wine on tap, water and more. The bar staff even made you cocktails that were not on the list such as our personal favourite (Jack Sparrow!) The soft drinks were sometimes flat however we just let the bar staff know and they changed the drinks for us with no problem! The cocktails were lovely and definitely had plenty of taste to them. I have read lots of reviews about the cocktails being watered down however this is due to the ice, and it’s very easy to ask the staff for no ice. We did this after a day or so and although the drinks weren’t kept as cool we could taste the cocktails a lot better. During our stay we heard of lots of people with upset stomachs, we did experience this slightly however this could have been due to the ice in the drinks, sun stroke, or just not being used to the foods. Again this did not ruin our holiday and we just adapted by asking for no ice and being careful with what we ate. The staff recommended you do not drink their water as it can make you poorly and so for me having ice in your drinks is probably the main reason for illnesses. Pool: What can I say about the pool other than AMAZING! There were 2 main pools, one with the swim up bar and benches and the other where most water activities were done. The pools were cleaned which we saw one evening and there was plenty of sun beds for everyone. Lots of people went down early to put towels on sun beds which I personally don’t see anything wrong with. There was lots of sun around the pool throughout the day, we found it was a little cloudy in the mornings and again around 5/6pm however the sun was so strong during the day that this was often a nice break! The bar staff brought cocktails around the pool to everyone which was such a nice touch from the hotel. Staff/entertainment team: The staff in the hotel were all lovely, we never had a bad experience with any of them. From checking in, to any queries we had, to checking out again, the staff were so helpful and wanted to give you the best advice possible. I have read reviews about people requesting things on the app and not receiving them however we did not experience this. We requested 2 extra pillows and these were brought to our room on the same day. The bar staff were all lovely and even even when they were rushed off their feet, they still served you with a smile and chatted about your day. The entertainment team were brilliant!!! They would come around the pool every single day and do activities such as darts, schulbach, archery, water volley ball, water polo, water aerobics, bingo and more. We often joined in lots of the activities and always had so much fun. There were prices on offer too such as T-shirts, backpacks, luggage tags and waterproof bags which was a great addition to the games. The entertainment team took their time to learn our names and would always greet us throughout the day, they were all brilliant! I wanted to specially mention D’Jemelia who was so lovely! Always smiling and chatting with us, and even asked us to say goodbye to her before we left. These are the little things that really made our holiday. Some of the shows on an evening were not to our taste, however we just left and used the sports bar or had a drink in reception instead. I think some people forget how much time and effort goes into rehearsing these shows and these staff work so hard all day and night and for me, they therefore deserve so much credit! All I would suggest is finding something else to do if you do not like the show. There is another smaller theatre next to the reception which often had live singers and appeared quieter so this may be a good option. Beach: The beach is absolutely gorgeous, it is only around a 5 minute walk from the hotel and majority of this is on hard paths. The sand did get very hot and so I would recommend wearing water shoes as even my flip flops were burning me! We passed a few ‘lucky lucky men’ on the way to the beach offering excursions however they were all friendly and respected us when we said no. We had already booked through TUI and told them this and they were fine. Some wanted to give you their business cards just in case and so we just took these to be polite. The beach bar was all inclusive, we have never had this before and so this was a brilliant addition for us. The sea was slightly rough however just follow the flags and there are plenty of life guards around. TUI excursions: We booked 3 excursions through TUI, the Secrets of Sal tour, the adults only catamaran, and the lemon sharks. I would recommend every single one and would always recommend booking through TUI as personally I feel it is safer and you get more for your money. I will be doing separate reviews for all of these excursions however I would really recommend them all and we had a great time seeing lovely Sal. The island: Sal is definitely a very unique and beautiful place. The island is only 25 miles long and 8 miles wide and so it is definitely one of the smallest islands we have been on. The main income for the island is tourism and I feel that is why selling products and excursions is so important for the residents. We did go into Santa Maria for a few hours and I have to admit we did feel pestered the whole time, however we were polite and just said no. Some of the men did become a little intimidating and a lot of people tried to lead us to ‘their markets’ however we just stayed away and said no. We heard lots of horror stories about people getting locked in rooms or people who said they were security at our hotel and lead them into their own shops, however luckily this did not happen to us. We spoke to the TUI rep Jack, before going into Santa Maria, and he gave us lots of good tips on how to stay safe. Because of our experiences on our excursions and our trip to Santa Maria, we did not leave the hotel much as we did not feel comfortable enough. A lot of people we spoke to said they were bored and missed being able to walk into town for bars and restaurants, we too missed being able to do this however there was lots of entertainment within the hotel and plenty to do. I definitely agree that the island is deserted and there is nothing close to the hotel, and we personally didn’t want to venture out at the worry of being pestered by locals selling things. However this is just one of those things that nobody has control of, and it is just something we will keep in mind next time we book a holiday. Overall: Overall our trip to Sal was one I will never forget. I genuinely have nothing negative to say about the hotel or our day trips. The only small criticism I would have is about the wifi, obviously wifi is not the main reason to go on holiday, however due to the charges from Vodafone it was the only way to communicate with my family. The wifi would often drop out and meant it was hard to even send 1 WhatsApp message to my family to let them know I was ok. I know a lot of other people had trouble with the wifi too! I occasionally had to walk around until I was back on the wifi as it was the best in our room. However that is only a small criticism and we just became patient with it. I will definitely be recommending Sal and the Funana hotel to my friends and family as we had the most amazing time. If you are reading the bad reviews as I did, I would just advice to take them lightly as we were really worried before we came and I still laugh now as I’m reading recent ones. I understand people pay lots of money to go on holiday and for a 5* hotel I know we should get what we pay for, however I think it is also important to think positively and open minded about some things and to realise not all things are in the control of the hotel. The staff should be so happy with their services and I would definitely return here to this beautiful island and hotel!!!…
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
38 Helpful votes
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Séjour inoubliable. Le personnel est aux petits soins, adorable. Les moustiques s'invitent à la fête. Aucun problème, nos charmants hôtes dégainent tout l'attirail nécessaire. Venir à Sal ce n'est pas que profiter de l'hôtel pour ça vous avez des destinations plus proches et moins onéreuses. Nous sommes venus dix jours. Tour de l'île avec notre adorable guide, Manu qui n'a jamais quitté son Cap Vert natal mais qui parle un français impeccable. Il a su partager son amour pour son pays et ses traditions. Visite différente en buggy cette fois. Wahou.... Nombreuses ballades le long de cette fabuleuse plage de Santa Maria. Par moments nous étions seuls au monde, merveilleux. L'eau est limpide, chaude. Cet après-midi nous partons faire un tour en catamaran . Encore de belles rencontres en perspective …
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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The mattress was ripped and very dirty . Only looked as ants was climbing up the bed . After 3 days there started with sick and diarrhoea. Could not eat or drink as just went through me . Came home early and took sample to doctors. I had shingellotis .
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
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Room Tip: Don’t go
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Me and my friend are divided over this, but in my opinion this is a lovely hotel. The staff are friendly and polite and helpful. We went all inclusive but we did try the selective restaurants but to be honest, I wouldn't recommend going to them because they are merely a scaled down version of the main restaurant (which has great choice selection). However, that said, you do get more personal attention in the service. I have really nothing bad to say. The downside is, if you are like us and predisposed to attracting mosquitoes...then I would advise you not to go (unless being bitten to death doesn't bother you). We have been twice now to two different hotels but the same problem so sadly we will not be returning...but, it is a tropical island and it goes with the territory. Otherwise, great hotel complex and fabulous weather! 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞…
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Be aware of the mosquitoes! They are everywhere!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Funana
Responded 2 days ago
Dear Stephen B., We wish to thank you for choosing us and being a lovely guest. It is very gratifying to learn you enjoyed your holiday. Thank you very much for your feedback, we will be waiting for your next visit. We wish you a fantastic day. Kindest Greetings! Hotel Riu Funana Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Had a brilliant Holliday such a good improvement on the entertainment from last year really made a difference the neon show and the white show was brilliant the dancers have to praised the hours they danced was unbelievable would recommend funana to anyone
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Funana
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Joe Joe Sam, We will pass on your fantastic review to our lovely staff. Thank you very much! It is great to learn you loved it. We wish you a beautiful day, Joe. Kindest wishes, Hotel Riu Funana Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mooi ruim opgezet hotel Met goede kamers Bedden zelf wat gedateerd House keeping top Als je een fooi op je kussen legt , krijg je een mooi gebouwen zwaan van het beddengoed terug Eten zeer uitgebreid Al la carte restaurant geweldig
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Nice hotel but only 1 pool plus a kids pool with a swim up bar with people pissing in all day,sun beds 3 deep around pool,cobbles for pavements and towel hut always short,no waiter service anywhere and buffet is chaos,too many people in a small area
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from RIU Hotels and Resorts, Owner at Hotel Riu Funana
Responded 4 days ago
Dear Go43298258127, Thank you very much for staying with us. Nonetheless, we will work on the points you make for further improvements. We hope we have the opportunity of welcoming you back in the future to impress you. Kind Regards, Hotel Riu Funana Online Reputation Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Excelente em todos os aspetos, mas a simpatia dos empregados e a atenção, são muito acima da média. As refeições estavam muito bem confeccionadas e em quantidade elevada, os eventos criaram muita dinâmica entre os visitantes. O acesso ao parque aquático, é uma mais valia.
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Review collected in partnership with riu.com
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
+1
Riu Funana is een paradijsje, groot en mooi opgezet resort met heel veel palmbomen. Het eten vonden wij geweldig, veel keus en heerlijke smaken. Porties die er staan zijn klein waardoor het eten altijd warm was. Dit nog nooit meegemaakt in een all inclusive resort. White party was een cool feestje, jammer dat ze zoiets maar 1x per week organiseren. Mensen van het animatieteam maken er een feest van. Santa Maria goed aan te lopen vanuit resort en je proeft er echt het Afrikaanse sfeertje. We hebben bij de verkopers langs het strand bij geboekt en zijn de eilandtour gaan doen met een locale Engelstalige gids. Een aanrader! Onze kamer was ruim en gelegen in blok 6, niks te klagen. Enige dat wij jammer vonden was dat we in een hele week op strand alle dagen rode vlag hadden, waardoor je niet mocht zwemmen. Was terecht want golven hadden mega kracht en waren soms wel drie meter hoog. Donderdagochtend heel even oranje vlag en toch in de mooie zee mogen dobberen. Wij komen zeker een keer terug, want iedereen was even vriendelijk in Riu Funana van schoonmaak tot receptie etc.. Wij hebben genoten …
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
PRICE RANGE
$164 - $233 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
riu garopa santa maria
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
ClubHotel Riu Garopa
LOCATION
Cape VerdeIlha do SalSanta Maria
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hotel Riu Funana
Which popular attractions are close to Hotel Riu Funana?
Nearby attractions include Projeto Biodiversidade (0.3 miles), Casino Royal (0.4 miles), and Cleopatra Ink Cape Verde (0.7 miles).
What are some restaurants close to Hotel Riu Funana?
Conveniently located restaurants include By Valeria, The Bounty Beach Restaurant, and Restaurant Ponta Preta.
Are there any historical sites close to Hotel Riu Funana?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Paroquia de Nossa Senhora das Dores (1.1 miles) and Nazarene Church (1.2 miles).
Does Hotel Riu Funana have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.