I booked this hotel on a flight and hotel rather than a package. The hotel is 5mins from the main street of Santa Maria and the same to the beach. Great rooms, clean towels daily and an adequate breakfast..with omlette's by request ! The staff very helpful. The other guests were mainly Dutch, Germans and Italians.

I stayed at Pontao in April/May 2012 for what i considered to be excellent value. Went to Cape Verde to dive so needed somewhere to sleep and relax. Hotel was in a great location on the edge of town. Everything - beach, dive school, shops, banks, bars and restaurants - was in easy reach. Hotel was clean, staff friendly, breakfast... More

It's not a resort hotel like others on the island of Sal, but it doesn't cost the same. I stayed there 3 nights. Room was big and very clean. The pool area and other common areas were clean too. Breakfast was good. Staff was quite nice. Close to the center of Santa Maria and the beach. The hotel also has... More

I was very dissapointed that i had friends in santa maria i have known for 10 years, i came to visit & the hotel staFF WOULD NOT LET MY FRIENDS IN TO VISIT ME. I FINALLY CHANGED HOTELS as the staff was not accomodating.

Being in our forties, my wife and I have traveled extensively. Having seen the poverty etc. in India, Africa, and Egypt and Tunisia to mention a few, we have never had such an awful holiday. We would rather have stayed again in a tent in the jungles of India than this hotel or Sal. illness was rife amongst our fellow... More

We stayed at the hotel pontao for a week and that was enough the area around the pool was awful there were only 9 sunbeds and half were broken, the room was ok and the breakfast was allright but we did not like Cape Verde (SANTA MARIA) at all. I think the travel agents are making it sound tropical and... More

we stayed on sal at the hotel pontao for 1 week in nov 08 with friends, we were looking for a relaxing week in the sun with out spending a fortune and this is what we got.The hotel is small offering just a b&b basics,the breakfasts are good but do get a bit boaring by the end of the week,... More

Me and my boyfriend have just come back from staying at the Pontao for a week and had a great time. If you arrive thinking it will be the lap of luxury and you can spend a lot of time here, you will be disappointed. If you are after somewhere to lay your head and to use as a base... More

The hotel Pontao and Sal on Cape Verde in general is a lovely island converted into package holiday hell. If you like nothing but to stay cooped up in a hotel eating the same damn thing amongst other chav Germans, Swedes and Brits give it a go. If you want to walk around the small town and see any african... More