From being pampered at Praia Sundy, to staying in the rustic rainforest plantation house, Roca Bombaim, we’ve tried and tested boutique hotels, self-sufficient eco-lodges, restored plantation houses and tented lodges across the islands of Sao Tome and Principe to bring you the widest selection of accommodation options and best advice on where to stay during our tailor-made holidays.
Here is Part One of our advice on where to stay on Sao Tome and Principe (in no particular order!)
Locally-run Mucumbli has a wonderful home-from-home feel, with beautifully made chalets overlooking the ocean. We love Mucumbli for it’s location – immersed in the rainforest – and its social enterprise. Mucumbli is more than a lodge: the project also encompasses eco-friendly, sustainable agriculture and livestock elements, all established with the aim of benefiting the local population and creating jobs. What’s more, there’s plenty to do, from cycling to guided walks, whale watching trips, turtle watching and plantation tours.
While not for everyone, Roca Sao Joao offers you the opportunity to experience something really different during your tailor-made holiday. We invite you to step back in time and get a feel for how things used to be. You stay in the main house, a wooden mansion warmly embraced by a pretty veranda. In contrast to the rooms, which are elegant yet simple and unfussy, meals at Roca Sao Joao are surprizing, delightful and inventive – dining experiences which we and our clients will remember for a long time…
Whether you’re romantically inclined or not, there’s something pure and blissful about Bom Bom that’ll make you happy! It certainly makes us happy, and whether we’re snorkelling in the ocean in front of our beach-front room, strolling along the long boardwalk over the sea in anticipation of breakfast, taking a boat trip along Principe’s incredible coast, or joining guides to hike spectacular trails through the rainforest, Bom Bom makes us feel alive… it will you too.
A fantastic choice for families, spending some nights at Makaira Lodge on Principe feels like a real adventure. We love to kayak around the beautiful sandy bay that Makaira Lodge calls home, and go for walks in the rainforest behind the lodge to find the biggest fallen leaves (and believe me, some are huge!) or the tree with the most impressive buttress roots. At night, between the months of November and March, you’ll be taken for the magical experience of watching turtles lay their eggs under a gazillion bright shining stars…
With a dive centre, infinity pool, sandy beach and kayaks and paddleboards free for guests to use, Club Santana is another of our favourite choices for families. The air-conditioned bungalows provide the perfect base from which to explore the north and south of Sao Tome on our jeep tours and guided walks. We recommend taking the boat over to Santana islet and (if you’re feeling brave!) jumping overboard to snorkel in the deep blue crystal clear water.
With so much choice, how can I know where to stay on Sao Tome and Principe?
That’s where we come in… we’ve stayed in all the hotels we recommend and our tailor-made holidays are designed to give you the most choice and flexibility as possible. With so much to offer, often our clients want to experience much more than just a hotel, so we take time to listen to what each individual wants before putting together a bespoke holiday that’s designed entirely around them.
If you’re interested in visiting the beautiful tropical islands of Sao Tome and Principe, call us on 01768 721050 to talk through the options with Ian or Max who have been themselves.
Or, click here to order a copy of our colourful, inspiring holiday brochure.
Emma O’Rourke
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