Barlavento Islands Adventure Holidays

Our experience at the resort was mixed, but we made the most of what was an uneven experience. The room was clean and reasonably comfortable. The food was decent, although not exceptional. The staff were generally pleasant, but were reactive and not proactively ensuring things were in place, delivering on the service promise. For example, there were no facial tissues in the room, despite there being an empty dispenser in the bathroom. Each time I went to the gym, there were no towels for the guests and had to chase staff to replenish. Also, we went days without housekeeping checking in to see if buns needed emptying or if we needed more water for the room. This too had to be requested. The resort did not have a secured facility to hold luggage for guests waiting to check in. Our flight arrived late morning which meant that we had to wait four hours with our luggage until we could check in at 3pm. We were told that we could leave our bags outside in the corner of the front entrance and that it was safe, but this is unacceptable. Also, when we arrived, we stood in a long queue to book the specialty restaurants for the week, only to find that they were fully booked up to the night before we departed. We later learned that there was an online booking tool for the restaurants, but this was never offered up front. We were able to put our names on a waiting list and, on the following day, offered two bookings for a couple of nights. Have more to say, but out of space

⸻ Title: A Stunning Oasis with Exceptional Entertainment and Service Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) I recently returned from an unforgettable stay at Riu Funana in Sal, Cape Verde, and I can confidently say this resort exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by friendly, professional staff who went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Their warm hospitality and attention to detail truly made a difference and elevated the entire experience. The resort itself is a beautiful oasis nestled in an otherwise arid landscape. Lush gardens, spacious grounds, and well-maintained facilities create a feeling of paradise. But the real showstopper is the stunning beach – imagine turquoise waters lapping against white, powdery sand that stretches for miles. It’s postcard-perfect and ideal for both relaxing and taking in the breathtaking views. One of the highlights of our stay was the entertainment. The team does a fantastic job, keeping the energy high and the atmosphere lively. A special mention must go to the All White Party on Friday night – an absolutely exceptional event! The music, lights, dancing, and vibe made it one of the most memorable nights of the holiday. Whether you’re looking to unwind by the pool, explore the island, or enjoy vibrant entertainment in the evenings, Riu Funana has something for everyone. We left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and already planning our return. Highly recommended!

I think this resort is a bit overrated. It was obviously nice, it's a 5-star Hilton. But things were ridiculously overpriced. One mojito costs around €15! The breakfast was really amazing, so we thought we would try the buffet dinner, but it was pretty terrible, so would not recommend. Finally, oddly our room had loads of flies. It was reallt really strange. At one point i was lookong around the bathroom and spotted 27 little flies! It wasn't terrible and they were more like little moths, not sure exactly, but anyway it was strange. So overall for the prive you're paying (minimum €375/night I think), it's not really worth it.

Our experience at the resort was mixed, but we made the most of what was an uneven experience. The room was clean and reasonably comfortable. The food was decent, although not exceptional. The staff were generally pleasant, but were reactive and not proactively ensuring things were in place, delivering on the service promise. For example, there were no facial tissues in the room, despite there being an empty dispenser in the bathroom. Each time I went to the gym, there were no towels for the guests and had to chase staff to replenish. Also, we went days without housekeeping checking in to see if buns needed emptying or if we needed more water for the room. This too had to be requested. The resort did not have a secured facility to hold luggage for guests waiting to check in. Our flight arrived late morning which meant that we had to wait four hours with our luggage until we could check in at 3pm. We were told that we could leave our bags outside in the corner of the front entrance and that it was safe, but this is unacceptable. Also, when we arrived, we stood in a long queue to book the specialty restaurants for the week, only to find that they were fully booked up to the night before we departed. We later learned that there was an online booking tool for the restaurants, but this was never offered up front. We were able to put our names on a waiting list and, on the following day, offered two bookings for a couple of nights. Have more to say, but out of space

⸻ Title: A Stunning Oasis with Exceptional Entertainment and Service Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) I recently returned from an unforgettable stay at Riu Funana in Sal, Cape Verde, and I can confidently say this resort exceeded all expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by friendly, professional staff who went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Their warm hospitality and attention to detail truly made a difference and elevated the entire experience. The resort itself is a beautiful oasis nestled in an otherwise arid landscape. Lush gardens, spacious grounds, and well-maintained facilities create a feeling of paradise. But the real showstopper is the stunning beach – imagine turquoise waters lapping against white, powdery sand that stretches for miles. It’s postcard-perfect and ideal for both relaxing and taking in the breathtaking views. One of the highlights of our stay was the entertainment. The team does a fantastic job, keeping the energy high and the atmosphere lively. A special mention must go to the All White Party on Friday night – an absolutely exceptional event! The music, lights, dancing, and vibe made it one of the most memorable nights of the holiday. Whether you’re looking to unwind by the pool, explore the island, or enjoy vibrant entertainment in the evenings, Riu Funana has something for everyone. We left feeling refreshed, relaxed, and already planning our return. Highly recommended!

I think this resort is a bit overrated. It was obviously nice, it's a 5-star Hilton. But things were ridiculously overpriced. One mojito costs around €15! The breakfast was really amazing, so we thought we would try the buffet dinner, but it was pretty terrible, so would not recommend. Finally, oddly our room had loads of flies. It was reallt really strange. At one point i was lookong around the bathroom and spotted 27 little flies! It wasn't terrible and they were more like little moths, not sure exactly, but anyway it was strange. So overall for the prive you're paying (minimum €375/night I think), it's not really worth it.