Robinson Cabo Verde on Sal – Our Rating
Robinson’s Club on the sunny island of Sal (350 days of sunshine per year) in Cape Verde is only open to adults and, in our opinion, well worth a visit. Its location on the beach makes it perfect for a relaxing beach vacation and all the usual water sports activities. The resort is modern, well-laid out, and clean. We stayed there for ten nights in a double room (travel dates: 11/19-11/30/22).
Journey to Sal
Our flight from Düsseldorf took us via a stopover in Boa Vista to our destination on the island of Sal. The actual flight time is only 6 hours, but the stopover in Boa Vista takes about an hour. The return flight is a direct connection. The TUI guests who wanted to continue to Sal could stay on board in Boa Vista. The passengers were free to choose their seats for the ten-minute flight to Sal. All passengers had to disembark, and the aircraft was prepared for the return flight to Düsseldorf. Since TUI paid the entry fee in advance, the entry to Cape Verde was in keeping with the motto: “No stress!” Tip: Fill out the form and send it back to TUI. This will save you a lot of time.
Checking in at the Robinson Club
As soon as we checked in, Peggy, the hotel manager, greeted us with a bit of refreshment. As usual with Robinson, the journey from the airport is by direct transfer and only takes about 20 minutes. Having used the online check-in service before our arrival, we quickly picked up the keys to our rooms. A friendly Robin showed us to our room and explained everything we needed to know about the resort. We got our first look at the beautiful relaxing pool :-).
Our Double Room
Our room had one double bed of 200x200cm and enough space. It had a tiled floor and was modernly furnished. The small balcony had two chairs, a table, and a clothesline. What we liked least was the open area to the bathroom. Although a sliding door visually separates the toilet and shower, the sink and mirror are open to the bedroom. This can be disturbing at night. The bathroom itself was clean and equipped with a hairdryer and makeup mirror. The rain shower was great! Satellite TV in German and Internet WLAN WiFi were available quickly in the accommodation. The air conditioner is individually adjustable. A telephone was available, but who needs that nowadays, except to call the reception…
The Club Complex
The club is located directly on the 8 km long and 200 m wide fine sandy Atlantic beach. Sunbeds and umbrellas are included at the beach and pool and were in good condition. The existing windbreak was very welcome. Refreshments are available at the beach bar. The water sports center is right next door.
The restaurant has a large outdoor area overlooking the beach. Having breakfast in the morning with the first rays of sunshine was a perfect start to the day. Since the resort is relatively small, the distances from your room to the restaurant, spa, pool, and beach are always short. The gym is located above the restaurant.
Free bath towels are available daily at the entrance to the spa.
Eating & Drinking at Robinson Club
Club Cabo Verde is an adults-only, all-inclusive hotel. However, this is not a disadvantage. The servers are attentive, and the food is of a high standard. In addition to the classic buffet with everything you need on vacation, there are always freshly prepared specialties on the plate at several stations. Even with an all-inclusive plan, you can enjoy a perfectly pink roasted filet of beef. We have never tasted anything of this quality before.
Another highlight was the tasteJAM: in front of the main restaurant were stands with burgers and finger food, where you could help yourself. There was always a drink to go with it. The excellent music created an authentic street food festival feeling.
We want to point out the quality of the club bakery! Regardless of the food, the selection and quality of bread, rolls, and pastries were excellent.
We didn’t use the specialty restaurant because we enjoyed the food in the main restaurant so much. Even vegan travelers will not starve at the club.
The bartenders were also friendly and attentive. It could take a few minutes to get your drinks at busy times. The included cocktails were delicious, but there was an extra charge for many of them. The only thing I missed was my wheat beer…
Resort Sports & Wellness Facilities
In addition to the gym, there are daily group exercise classes such as spinning and Zumba. The program changes frequently as outside instructors come in for a few weeks at a time. The app is used to view and book classes. Classes are held either in a room next to the gym or on a covered platform on the beach. The gym has the usual cardio and strength equipment as well as Power Plate stations. Of course, aqua fitness in the sports pool is a must.
The water sports station has stand-up paddle boards, surfboards and everything you need for kite surfing. When we went in late November, the wind had already picked up and was definitely too strong for beginners like me.
The club offers a wellness area with a rooftop sauna, relaxation room and massage facilities. The sauna is free and the price for the massage was reasonable.
Once a week there is an introductory dive in the pool. I took part in this and then did a trial dive day for €99.
Entertainment at the Club
During the day, the entertainment program is modest. Since no children are in the club, you can enjoy the peace and quiet. Beach volleyball is offered almost every day. The sundowners, which alternated between the beach and the relaxation pool, were a highlight of the hotel. Enjoying the sunset with good music and a cocktail or cold beer was just incredible.
There were always short shows on the chessboard or on the beach in the evening, followed by a DJ. Since there are only adults and no children in the club, the shows start quite late at 21:45. On the other hand, this gives you plenty of time to enjoy the delicious food.
There is no specific dress code. If you want to dress appropriately for the theme nights, log on to the app before you leave and check out what’s on the program. In typical Robinson fashion, a white night is included.
Santa Maria
The proximity to Santa Maria means the town is only a short walk away. Several bars along the boardwalk invite you to spend the evening outside the club.
One of the sights of Santa Maria is the pier. When the fishermen unload their catch at noon, it is processed right there. The beach next to the dock is beautiful and much shallower than the beach in front of the Robinson Club.
Musicians often play here, and you can enjoy the hustle and bustle with a cold drink from the adjacent bar. Restaurants serving fresh fish are also close by.
Excursions on Sal
Excursions can be booked directly with the TUI tour guide at the Robinson Club. There are also some local operators. They usually hand out flyers at the airport. We chose an island tour with Luna-Tours and can only recommend Kevin. The contact via WhatsApp was straightforward. We went to all the sights of the island in an air-conditioned minibus. Kevin has lived on the island for over 15 years and can tell beautiful anecdotes about the various highlights. A detailed report of our tour can be found here.
The highlight of the island tour is the bath in the salt pans at the end. It is just wonderfully relaxing to float in the salt water. When you let the water dry on your skin, it forms a salt crust. This acts like a scrub, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth when you rub it off.
You can rent a car and explore the island on your own. Since there is only one main road across the island, getting lost is out of the question. Somehow, you will always find your way back to Santa Maria.
Journey Home
Check-out was as uncomplicated as the entire Robinson Club vacation. We quickly paid for the spa treatment and the tourist tax per person per day and then returned to the airport. Late check-out is available, but we didn’t take advantage of it. Many of the staff came to say goodbye and wish us a safe trip home.
After checking in at the airport, you can enjoy a last Cape Verdean beer in a deck chair in a courtyard. The rule here is until the end: No stress!
CONCLUSION: For us, Robinson Cabo Verde is one of the best hotels we have visited so far. The food was excellent, and there was plenty to choose from. The hotel deserves high ratings on the travel sites. All guests are treated in an extremely friendly manner throughout their vacation. The price was reasonable for us. We can recommend Robinson Cabo Verde as a destination without reservation!
For more information about the other islands of Cape Verde, please see our island overview.
Click here to go directly to the Robinson Club Cabo Verde website.
FAQ
What do you wear at the Robinson Club?
There are no fixed dress codes. Everything is very casual. However, out of consideration for your fellow diners, you should generally cover some parts of your body before going into the restaurant. Unfortunately, not all guests see it that way.
How many stars does the Robinson Club in Cape Verde have?
Club Cabo Verde has four suns on the TUI website. This stands for upper middle class with noticeable comfort and is appropriate, in our opinion.
What is so special about the Robinson Club?
For us, the warmth and friendliness with which we have always been welcomed in the clubs is very important. People are generally on first-name terms in the clubs, and large communal tables in the restaurant invite you to get to know new people.
How much does a week at Robinson Club cost?
Of course, it depends on the time of year and the room selection, but you should expect to pay €1,500 per person per week.
Who is Robinson Cabo Verde ideal for?
Robinson Club Cabo Verde is perfect for solo travelers and couples looking for a relaxing vacation. If you want to party the night away, Ibiza or the Robinson Club Jandia Playa on Fuerteventura are the better places for you.