Omali São Tomé Principe Collection

After two weeks of traveling on Príncipe and São Tomé, we ended our trip at Omali as we really craved some relaxation and comfort. We were not disappointed. Since we traveled with our son, we were assigned the (pretty expensive) family suite, which is huge and beautiful, with truly amazingly comfortable beds. Five stars for the hotel - but the self-proclaimed enclosed “best restaurant on São Tomé” was somewhat disappointing. I’m not usually one to complain on destinations such as STP, but with prices like Omali’s and the pretentious image they aim to project, I would expect top quality all around. Here’s what happened: from the menu I ordered “pan-fried steak with Omali mustard sauce.” The waiter asked me if I wanted it rare, medium, or well done. I chose medium-rare, but the steak I was served was thoroughly cooked. When I pointed this out, the waiter looked confused, took the steak away, and came back with an even more cooked one. At that point, I gave up, as he clearly did not understand (we don’t speak Portuguese). I did, however, ask about the missing “mustard sauce.” Again I got a confused look, and was asked to show what I meant on the menu. I pointed out the Portuguese description, and the waiter eventually returned… with a bowl of the same gravy the steak had been cooked in. Normally, I wouldn’t mind, but at these prices - and given the high standards the hotel wants to convey - this shouldn’t happen. If the waiter doesn’t understand, he should check with a co-worker rather than making the wrong decisions on his own.

Facilities are nice, but quite overpriced. Staff are not well-trained and it can be very frustrating trying to get information or resolve issues. Fitness room is small and rudimentary. This same company also has expensive hotels in Principe but, based on my experience here, I don’t know if I would stay with them.

The food at the restaurant was truly disappointing. We ordered fried cuttlefish which came cold & grilled octopus which also came cold. The servers in the restaurant act like you are a burden with 0 smiles did not make us feel welcome at all. The staff at the bar on the other hand were great, always welcomed us. We went nearly daily for "breakfast" since there were such few western breakfast options on the island. The cheese toast sando was actually quite good. I'll miss it.