Holiday! (Photo heavy post)

Ok, so this is an adapted version of my trip advisor review.

We stayed at the Touareg in Boa Vista, Cape Verde for 10 days from the 11th December.

Because the reception thought we were on honeymoon.

The main 'street'

Grounds and hotel building

The Room with the massive bed!

Ben's haribos on holiday

View from the balcony

Cheesey grins

The Pusscats!

Wonderful 18km beach - paradise!

The garishly decorated christmas trees

Our 'sand castle'

Sal Rei

The bridge that collapsed in the floods in September

Sun set & Ben's 'shark tower'

Swim up bar

The flight.
We are both small people, both under 5’8’’, and we didn’t have any problems with the seats being cramped. I am 5’3’’ and could stretch my legs out comfortably. The prices Thomson charged for things on the plane was extortionate! The plane food was nice considering it was plane food!!! BBQ chicken on the way out and sausages and mash on the way in. They don’t provide drinks, but the prices of these weren’t too bad.
N.B Buy your snacks etc for the flight home and pack them in your suitcase, as they ran out of pretty much everything (drinks, biscuits, crisps, duty free) on the flight back.
The flight itself was the best flight I have been on - I suffer with my ears and my stomach whilst flying and usually wear earplugs, however this was not necessary and the flight was very pleasant.

The Island
Very baron, and not built up with lots of touristy stuff. But this is something to appreciate as you drive through and keep this in mind when comparing the hotel to ‘5*’ you’ve been to before - have many places you’ve holidayed at not have running water?

The hotel - on arrival.
We were upgraded and booked into the African restaurant on arrival. Addionally there was ‘champagne’ in the room as we were celebrating a special occasion, it was a nice touch.
I suggest you check in, enjoy the cold fruit juice, put the labels on your cases and then head to the bar and have a couple of drinks, by the time you are done, your cases will be waiting for you in your room.

The room
Exactly as it was in the brochure. Consisted of a main bedroom with a large and comfy double bed, a TV with great movie channels and drawers and a  dresser. Then through a doorway (no door) was a ‘dressing area’ with wardrobe space (beaded curtain) and a free safe, sink and shower and toilet.

The restaurants
We ate in all but the Cape Verdean one as we weren’t keen on the menu. I can be a fussy eater, but I loved every meal. If you like meat and fish go to the African restaurant!! The Asian was lovely, and both speciality restaurants make a nice change to the main. When we went the hotel was full, and it never felt like it was. There is some queuing in the main restaurant, but it doesn’t feel canteeny at all.
In regards to dress code, in the speciality restaurants, it specifies shoulders and knees covered for men. In the main restaurant pretty much anything goes. Some people dress up in suit trousers etc some women wear heels and short dresses, others are more casual.

The entertainment
This was hit and miss - mostly the team miming to old songs and musicals, but some of the nights such as the African night were brilliant! You cannot fault the effort of the entertainment team as they work morning until late into the night. The karaoke club was ‘fun’ - not something we would usually do, but it was entertaining, and the ‘club’ was good, IF it was busy, and this seemed to vary wildly.

The pool and beach
The pool area could be viewed as a tad crowed, in that the beds are all quiet close. The swim up bar was a nice touch. The beach was beautiful - we walked for miles in each direction. The wind can get quite strong but in the sunbed area this doesn’t affect you. We had 2 green flags, 2 red flags and the rest were yellow. We swam in the yellow flag days. The water sports equipment was gotten out which was  lovely.

The Spa
We had an amazing couples massage - best one I’ve had yet! The daily deals were pretty good, e.g. the couples massage was 90 but the deal offered it at 60!!

The staff
Amazing, hard working, polite and smiley people! Make the effort with them and learn a few phrases, it’s appreciated. Some staff can’t speak the best English, but engage them in conversation and they try their best - besides it’s the only way to help improve it. The cleaners and gardeners work ever so hard, you can stand and look around you 360 and you are likely to see a staff member cleaning! The bar staff quickly learn what your drinks of choice are and will have them on the bar when they see you, and are so attentive will have another one ready before your glass is empty.

The holiday was utter bliss. I would definitely go back and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quiet relaxed break in year round sunshine.