Hotel Riu Karamboa Adults Only All Inclusive
Santa Maria · Cape Verde · Lote Ho 01 Urb. Morrinho De Baguincho
About Hotel Riu Karamboa Adults Only All Inclusive — Luxury Boutique Hotel in Santa Maria
Hotel Riu Karamboa Adults Only All Inclusive is an exceptional 5-star hotel in Santa Maria, Cape Verde. Guests enjoy a distinctive experience combining world-class facilities including bar, beach club, restaurant, and more with the personalised warmth that defines great boutique hospitality.
Guest Reviews 4.5 / 5
Does everything you need it to do. Spacious rooms, comfortable and clean. Loads of food variety and you can more or less eat any time of the day. Most excursions pick you up directly from the hotel. Staff are very pleasant and hardworking. Only negative was that the generic cocktails tasted a bit watered down. You were much better off ordering Mojitos and Blue Lagoons etc at the bar as they had more flavour and alcohol. Loads of seating areas, plenty of activities. Free snorkelling gear if you fancy a dip in the sea. Beautiful beach. Well worth the money. Thank you.
I recently stayed at the Hotel Riu Karamboa and had a fantastic experience overall. The resort exceeded many of my expectations and offered a great balance of cleanliness, entertainment, and hospitality. Cleanliness: The cleanliness throughout the hotel was exceptional. My room was cleaned thoroughly every day without fail, and the housekeeping staff were always polite and attentive—often leaving creative touches on the bed, which was a lovely gesture. However, I found the mini bar service inconsistent; although it’s supposed to be refilled every two days, I often had to request refills via the app. Public areas, especially the poolside toilets, were immaculately maintained. Dedicated staff were visibly cleaning and freshening the facilities throughout the day—by far the cleanest poolside restrooms I’ve ever encountered. Entertainment: Evening entertainment was a highlight of the stay. The White Party and Neon Party were standout events—unlike anything I’ve experienced at other resorts—with impressive effort and energy that created an unforgettable atmosphere. It does get crowded, as guests from nearby Riu hotels attend, but the experience is worth it. The nightly musicals and shows were professionally executed and very enjoyable. Daytime entertainment, however, could use some improvement. Activities weren’t always well-communicated, especially around the quieter pools, and there appeared to be a tendency to engage more with certain guests than others. Staff: The staff across the resort were friendly, approachable, and consistently professional. Their welcoming attitude really added to the enjoyment of the stay. Food: Despite reading several negative reviews beforehand, I was pleasantly surprised by the food quality in the main restaurant. Everything I ate was well-cooked, tasty, and served in a clean, hygienic environment. While some dishes felt repetitive over the week, there was a decent variety—particularly in the meat options. That said, I would advise caution with Pepe’s Food by the pool. Food is left in boxes with flies frequently hovering around, which was off-putting. Drinks: The drinks selection was broad, with many cocktails, beers, and spirits available. The beer was enjoyable, but note that all spirits are locally sourced—there are no branded options. My only concern was the poolside cups. Although they were cleaned regularly, many looked stained and could benefit from being replaced with new ones. Overall: Hotel Riu Karamboa is a stunning resort with strong attention to cleanliness, great entertainment in the evenings, and wonderful staff. While a few areas could be improved—particularly the daytime entertainment and bar service—it remains a top-tier holiday destination. I would absolutely recommend it and rate my experience 4.5 out of 5.
My recent stay at the Riu Karamboa in Cape Verde was a relaxing experience, offering a perfect escape for a week of unwinding. As a first-time visitor to a Riu hotel, I was largely impressed and would certainly consider another Riu holiday in the future. The hotel grounds are well-maintained, and the rooms are pleasant, the air conditioning works effectively, and daily cleaning was good. The reception area is nicely done, with a lovely, relaxing atmosphere. We never had an issue finding a sunbed, as there were always plenty available. The beach is beautiful, and we were fortunate to have green or amber flags most days, so enjoyed a few swims in the sea, a nice change from the pool. We also had a fantastic time at the Riu Neon Party on our first night; it had a great atmosphere and exceeded expectations. The sports bar was another favorite spot, generally quiet, easy to get a drink, air-conditioned, and equipped with a pool table. There is however, only one pool table, so usually someone waiting to use it. There is definitely room in there for a couple more pool tables. The staff across the resort were consistently friendly and helpful. I also enjoyed a nice massage at the spa, which was a lovely treat. When it comes to dining, the food at the buffet was generally good, with plenty of choice, ensuring you'll never go hungry, and there's always something available. It's worth noting that the buffet can get quite busy, depending on the time of day. Areas for improvement: While our overall experience was very positive, there are a few areas where improvements could enhance the guest experience further. The drinks selection was somewhat limited regarding cocktails. Enhancing the variety and quality of the drinks, particularly the cocktails, would bring the hotel closer to a true five-star rating. Additionally, we experienced a shortage of pool towels on our first day, and the mini-bar and in-room coffee supplies weren't replenished daily, but rather every two days. Overall Impression: Despite these minor points, we had a truly great and relaxing week. The Riu Karamboa offers a fantastic setting for a laid-back holiday. While I'd personally rate it closer to a four-star experience, mainly due to the drink offerings, it's certainly a destination I would recommend for those seeking a relaxed getaway.