ROBINSON CLUB
Set on the best of Sal’s golden beaches, stretching for five miles, Robinson Club Cabo Verde is in the perfect location to enjoy the island’s 360 days of sunshine. Brand new, it was built on the site of a previous hotel with the bonus of retaining their extensive gardens, so it’s overlooked by tall mature palms.
Only 20 minutes from the airport, it sits in a quiet location just outside the town of Santa Maria, the main tourist centre on one of the most popular islands of Cape Verde — although that’s still well under the tourist radar.
For adults only, this all-inclusive resort has no guests under the age of 18, but appeals to a younger demographic than some other similar resorts — the comprehensive water sports and fitness facilities attract health conscious couples, while the mammoth buffets also have healthy eating options with freshly squeezed juices always on offer.
It’s almost always windy on this tip of the island — a favourite with kite surfers — and the watersports station offers surfing, kite surfing, wind surfing, catamaran sailing and stand-up paddling, all with qualified instructors. You can also choose from a variety of beach sports and games, including volleyball and water polo.
But it’s not all about being active. Sunbeds are laid out next to the sea with parasols and towels, and you can also relax by the two pools. The one near the beach caters for swimmers doing laps whilst the other is more for relaxation and cooling off in the heat of the day.
There’s massage and beauty treatments at The Wellfit Spa, includin steam and sauna (naked or clothed). For fitness fanatics there’s a fully equipped gym for cardio and strength training and an indoor cycling room, as well as the option to hire a personal trainer or relax with yoga or Pilates.
The 307 rooms and suites are equally well-equipped with large screen LED TVs, USB charging ports, tea and coffee making facilities and fridge plus bathrobes and walk-in shower in the bathrooms, as well as spacious balconies to lounge on. A nice touch is complimentary access to laundry machines so you don’t have to pay to have your clothes cleaned.
Guests also have a choice of three restaurants, including an extensive buffet at the main one. The other two have a-lacarte menus but there’s a supplement to pay; premium wines and spirits also cost extra though drinks are included otherwise. The beach bar has a daily sundowner session complete with DJ and suitably chilled soundtrack, plus evening entertainment and dancing every night at the resort.
What I particularly like is that, unlike at many all-inclusive resorts, the town of Santa Maria, full of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants, is only 15 minutes’ walk away. I really felt the authentic African experience as I watched the fishermen bring their catch to the pier where the women gut and clean the fish. Even better they were happy to let me mingle, taking photographs, all perfectly friendly.
It’s easy to explore the rest of the island too, and since the island is less than 20 miles long and around 7 miles wide, you can fit everything into a day.
Ultimately though, the whole point of coming here is to relax, enjoy the food and marvel at the kite surfers gliding above the waves as the sun shines blissfully down.
RUPERT PARKER
RATES: From £584 per person for seven nights all inclusive. robinson.com