Hotel Santantao Art Resort

Not worth the money. Wifi isnt available except very weakly in reception. The service isnt good and English isnt spoken. Food was bland and choices are limited. The day we were to check out we came down to breakfast and were told no breakfast (except a yoghurt and fruit) because we don't have any guests!!!!! Several times at breakfast things were finished and we were told several times sorry bread finished , sorry bananas finished. Theres nobody to complain to either so trying to make things better wasn't an option. Rooms-go back to the 60/70s and you’re at this hotel. Paid for a superior room and it wasn't worth it. Badly planned, dark and uncomfortable. The balcony small and the aircon is out there so you cant sit there its like a sitting in a sauna with airplanes flying over at low height. There is a wall so to see ( a small glimpse) of the sea you have to stand. Go somewhere else is my tip. Not hotels problem but just tio add on-We were tricked out if hiring a car-confirmed and then didn't show up Porto Novo us little and theres nothing to do its high season and two restaurants are open

(I am updating the review I wrote in January 2022; we stayed there again in Jan 2023 and certain things have improved.) The hotel has free internet, but that is mainly in reception - most rooms do not have it. However, room 301 (larger than most others, and more expensive) had good wifi - maybe because it is quite near reception. Also, the air conditioning in this bedroom (and maybe others?) has been improved - quieter and more adjustable than previously. There is a pool but no gym/fitness room. We were traveling with a baby and needed various cups washed and sterilised, and the restaurant staff were very helpful and friendly - in fact all the staff are friendly. There is a new manager who seems to be very active in trying to improve things - he also speaks excellent English, unlike some of the staff. (A previous review suggested that the hotel was under-managed - I think that has changed now!)

The hotel says it as free internet, but that is only in reception. No wifi in bedrooms. I spent a week on this island (in winter/dry season) and got bitten by mosquitos in only one place - reception of this hotel. And I was only sitting in reception because there is no wifi in the bedrooms. They really REALLY need to change this. (And before you reply that this is Africa, and so I shouldn't expect European standards, I paid over 65 euros a night, which is more than some hotels in the UK...). On the positive side, we were traveling with a baby and needed various cups washed and sterilised, and the restaurant staff were very helpful and friendly. Air conditioning in rooms only has one temperature (21 degrees) and one noise level (quite loud).