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

When we arrived at check-in the receptionists didn't speak much English but we soon realised that the 6 of us didn't have a room! However, they were really helpful and called our Thomson rep and all was sorted out smoothly. We had a room overlooking the pool, which although wasn't that scenic (as there was building work going on opposute)... More

My family and I spent two weeks over Easter in the Hotel Pontao. Having travelled abroad annually for the last thirty years I can honestly say this was the worst holiday I have ever had. I really did not find it a safe environment for my children and feel extremely guilty to have put them through it. The hotel staff... More

We have just got back from 2 weeks staying at the Pontao Hotel (bed and breakfast) in Santa Maria and I thought I'd post some information about it as we couldn't find much out before we left. Overall a very clean and friendly hotel. Not very old - only a year or so I think. Rooms are fairly spacious with... More