🌴 Review: Our Stay at the Riu Palace Santa Maria, Cape Verde
When we booked our trip to Cape Verde with TUI, we weren’t entirely sure what to expect. We’d seen the picture-perfect shots of endless beaches and turquoise seas, countless pools and waterslides for the kids, but let’s be honest — those can sometimes oversell it a bit. Spoiler alert: this time, they didn’t. The Riu Palace Santa Maria, Cape Verde really does have that postcard-perfect setting; unfortunately for us, we hadn’t realised just how much Sam’s needs had changed in two years since we’d last been away.
First Impressions ✈️
Arriving at the airport, we were quickly guided to the assistance queue (Sunflower lanyards are a must for us) for check-in and security. It made such a difference. Unfortunately, we had booked so last-minute that we didn’t have time to book the lounge, so it was all a little overwhelming and loud in the main airport for Sam and me, but he just hid away with his Switch and Headphones. After the flight and shuffle through arrivals, walking into the cool, airy lobby of the hotel immediately relaxed us all. Everything felt bright, spacious, and a little bit fancy without being intimidating.
The Room 🛏️
Our rooms were next door to each other and bigger than I expected, with those huge beds that swallow you whole, and the shower in the bathroom was A-MA-ZING. The décor is modern but relaxed, and our balcony was the perfect spot for a morning coffee.
The hotels in Cape Verde are all low-level, so only 3-4 stories high. This is great as it means no spending countless time in the lift up and down to your rooms, but note it does mean a longer distance between everything and can be a little tiresome in the heat of the day. So bear in mind for any smaller children (buggies and little scooters were a must) and adults with mobility needs (there does seem to be the ability to hire mobility scooters for the duration of your stay).
Food & Drink 🍴🍹
All-inclusive can be hit and miss, but the Riu Palace Santa Maria really leans into the hit. From the buffet to the themed restaurants, there was loads of choice. For me, hands down, the buffet always wins. With kids who all have different needs and likes, it’s a great way to ensure everyone is happy and fed. At the same time, it allows them to try new things in the comfort of a more relaxed setting.
Top Tip: If it’s your first time, then make sure to look at the themed restaurants when you first arrive and book ASAP to ensure you don’t miss out. Also, check out the menu so you have an idea of what you’d like when you get there; otherwise, it can feel a little rushed.
The Beach & Pools 🌊
Honestly, this was the highlight. The beach is right there, with soft sand and that endless Atlantic horizon. I’m not a beach person at all, but you couldn’t help being drawn in by the crashing of the waves and the colour of the sea. The pools are stunning too — some lively, some more chilled, so you can pick your vibe depending on the day or preference. We tended to stick to the middle pool as it was closest to our rooms, allowing the kids to go back and forth easily. The only complaint was the location of the waterslides, as they were at the opposite end of the hotel (the sister hotel next door also shared access), which is quite a walk.
Things To Do 🚤
If you’re not one to sit still (not guilty LOL), then there’s plenty going on. Water sports, boat trips, and excursions to explore Sal Island. The turtle and lemon shark trips are definite highlights! Again, if you do think you’ll want to do a few excursions, then book in advance in the TUI app, or book pretty soon after you arrive, as these are very popular, and for good reason! Cape Verde has a laid-back charm that sneaks up on you — it’s not overdeveloped, so you still get that authentic feel alongside the luxury resort life.
Top Tip: Check the trip requirements so you can ensure you bring appropriate footwear/clothing, etc. Otherwise, you have to hire (it’s only cheap mind).
We chose the lemon shark trip and can honestly say it was truly incredible! Standing on the volcanic rocks in the beautifully warm waters while the sharks gracefully glided through our legs, the marine biologist shared fascinating insights about the shark nursery in the bay. It was a perfect experience for our eldest, who is heading off to study Marine Biology at university this month!
The Riu Palace’s sister hotel next door hosts the White/Neon Party every Friday. It’s a fantastic show and great fun for kids and adults alike. Get there early to ensure you get the best view! I made the rookie error of allowing Sam to apply my face paints…
Oh, and also ensure you are around the main walkway/middle pool on a Wednesday afternoon for the Carnival! Check out my Insta reel to see what I mean.
Final Thoughts 💭
This was exactly the reset my husband and I needed, but perhaps not so great for our youngest. He found it very hot during the day and at 13 was too old for the ‘kids’ club. But also found the adult activities too overwhelming for the most part. He did try the waterslides, but they weren’t for him. It’d be great to find somewhere that caters for teenagers a little more. He missed the freedom of being able to go and sit with the fishermen along the beaches of Spain and chat endlessly about fishing.
Our review for the Riu Palace Santa Maria Cape Verde… Sunshine, great food, friendly staff, and ample space to unwind properly. Would I go back? 100%, if it were just my husband and I, just not the place for our youngest at the moment. Next time, I’d stay a little longer and plan in a couple more excursions to see more of the island.
Highlight: The staff at Cape Verde Airport (considering it’s such a small airport) were amazing at recognising the sunflower lanyard. They quickly escorted us, giving us priority checking in and security clearance. Such a small thing, but it makes all the difference to us.
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