What We Think
The Morabeza has always been our most popular hotel on the island of Sal, with good reason and was voted the top hotel on the island by our guests in 2011. It’s family run and friendly, has great facilities and restaurants, and is located just a few steps from the glorious Santa Maria beach.
Morabeza is a local word meaning ‘hospitality’ - a term which the hotel more than lives up to. It’s the longest established hotel on Sal, and was originally the home of a Belgian family, the Vynckiers, whose legacy has been preserved by the recent unveiling of a sculpture and the naming of a street adjoining the hotel. The fact that it’s now run by their granddaughter (one Sophie Marcellesi) adds a real sense of continuity and provides a strong family atmosphere. It has developed into a very attractive and much sought after hotel, particularly with the recent addition of an executive block housing a second pool area with superb rooms and suites, which have proved extremely popular with our guests.
The grounds of the hotel are extensive with a broad range of superbly furnished room types and with excellent facilities at every turn: the main pool area with a bar, tennis courts and mini-golf, a well-stocked library and games room, including two snooker tables and table tennis as well as a gym. All this and yet the hotel never feels overly busy, it absorbs everything into its air of peace and calm. There is also the superb Beach Club, which is right on the beach and is the perfect spot for lunch, or a refreshing drink.
A popular way to explore the resort’s excellent restaurants and themed evening meals is choosing the bon appetit dining option. With this, you get dinner at the hotel in the newly refurbished Les Palmiers restaurant on the first and last night of your stay and the Saturday barbecue buffet, leaving you free to venture out into Santa Maria to try the local bars and restaurants on the other evenings.
Local Rating: 4*
