Hotel Riu Touareg

Bec S Jul 2026

Beautiful location, stunning hotel with fab rooms. We stayed for our Honeymoon and was fantastic. Food the best I have had at a hotel, staff friendly and the different restaurants stunning. Sea is a red flag as very rough but to be expected on a small island. Will definitely come back.

Gita Jun 2026

A solid three-star hotel with genuinely great staff throughout, but a refurbishment is well overdue. At first glance it doesn't seem too bad, but the longer you stay, the more you notice that absolutely everything is rough around the edges. All towels, sheets, and blankets need replacing. Ours had visible stains, clearly washed but not pleasant to sleep in. The mattresses are in poor shape too; my bed sat at what felt like a ten-degree angle and sleep quality was the worst we've experienced. The biggest issue by far is the noise. The long corridors echo badly and the room doors offer virtually no sound insulation. From just after 7am it feels like a construction site, either from guests walking and talking (which echoes like shouting) or staff beginning work on the rooms. The noise level is genuinely unbearable. The second major problem is the lack of toilets near the main pool. Three stalls for the entire area, one out of order, two that don't lock, and toilet paper that dissolves on contact. There's always a queue and it's a long walk. Contrast this with the infinity pool area, which has three stalls for a much smaller crowd and the facilities are visibly newer. The inconsistency is hard to explain. The shower was broken and barely functional, with just a curtain separating it from the rest of the room. If you're travelling with a friend rather than a partner, this could be awkward. I brought my own slippers and they were dirty within days, so I'm not convinced the floors are being washed. Food is what you'd expect from a large three-star all-inclusive: fine, reasonable variety, gets repetitive after a few days. Drinks are local spirits and cocktails come pre-mixed with alcohol added afterwards. Not exciting, but drinkable. The exception is the caipirinha made by Paolo at the pool bar inside the pool. He properly muddles the limes and builds it correctly and it's genuinely lovely. If anyone else makes it, it's just alcohol on top. Thank you, Paolo. We're not big entertainment people but even we could see it was exceptional here. A large stage, a packed programme, and the Africa show featured some truly incredible dancers. Well above what you'd expect at this price point. The donkeys that come up to the beach are wonderful. Gentle, affectionate, happy to pose for photos. Do bring carrots if you can. The à la carte restaurants are a nice touch: Italian, Asian, and local cuisine, each bookable once. Still buffet format but in a more intimate setting, and the Boa Vista restaurant offers a menu choice for your main. Italian was the favourite. The hotel has a separate adults-only area which comes at an additional cost and is very strictly controlled at the entrance. We didn't pay for access but could see it was well guarded. What was strange, however, is that the pool bar within the main area is clearly labelled as adults only, yet it was full of children, inflatables, and splashing. It seems rules are enforced rigorously in one place and ignored entirely in another. The main pool is heated, the grounds are beautiful and immaculately kept, and the beach is stunning: long, sandy, private-feeling, and gorgeous. That said, the sea is genuinely powerful. The hotel has lifeguards but please use your own judgment too. Watch the waves before you go in. For the price paid, it's reasonable value. We came close to considering a return trip but the noise and sleep issues wore us down over the week. Until the beds, bedding, and sound insulation are addressed, we won't be coming back. A full refurbishment is long overdue, and there's a very long road ahead before five stars becomes a realistic conversation.

D May 2026

I love this hotel so much, it never feels like holiday it feels like a 2nd home. The staff in this hotel are some of the most wonderful, kind and friendly people I have ever met. The whole entertainment team, night and day are amazing! You are never ever stuck with nothing to do, they have the day staff doing activities all day long and then you have the night staff who do the shows and interact with the guests. I have got to know some of the staff quite well since going away here and I've never met such nice people in my life. The food is always 10/10!! I have never ever been stuck for what to eat, the meat in this hotel is the best meat I have ever had. Usually when you go a resort in another country the meat tends to taste like cat food but here, definitely not! I will never ever understand the bad reviews of this place, it is one of the most wonderful places I have ever been to and the people that work at the hotel make your holiday so special. I cannot wait to come back. P.S make sure you book the chinese resturant and have the spring rolls.. THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD!

Jess Jones May 2026

Our experience was awful, I know people don't want to read long reviews, so I'll try and keep it as brief as possible. I can't understand how people have rated this as highly as it has... Firstly we had 2 single beds as a couple and the towels smelt really bad once used after a shower. We upgraded to the adults only section and the bedding and towels were worse. The previous towels were brown, so I think that hid the stains. We asked for the bedding to be changed, as it was damp where the cleaner had tried to clean the stain on the bedding, rather than change it. Photos included... You can see the wet water mark around it. Day after day of stained sheets, uncomfortable bed, and constant noise every morning, including a hedge strimmer at 6am. The mini bar had cans that looked sticky and disgusting, again, see photos. This is not luxury. This was not a relaxing weekend away. We've stayed in better 3 star hotels. Everything is a massive buffet, the 'restaurants' are just buffet food again, it's all about quantity over quality. Families, maybe it's good for. Romantic couple, absolutely not. People were rude and pushing in, grabbing stuff, touching food and putting it back, it was like a scramble as if it was going to run out. We were already on edge because of the massive issues Tui have had with food poisoning and subsequent deaths (look it up). So to put up with dirty sheets and towels, was not OK. No fresh drinks, all cocktails are a pre mix, and they ran out of pina colada mix for 3 days. The alcohol is cheap and nasty, the wine from a tap is undrinkable. Not allowed to fish on the beach, yet loads of people fishing, can't have a nice stroll without going around ignorant people. The beach however is beautiful. Can't smoke inside, but no one took any notice, even smoking in the toilets. Staff were dismissive, Tui even worse. We ended up being given £100 back as a generic gesture, which didn't even pay for the upgrade we had. This was not the luxury holiday we were sold. We will never return to Cape Verde or use Tui again. How this can be classed as 5 star, is astonishing.

Vicky Tayler Jan 2026

We stayed at the RIU Touareg for a week just before Christmas, two adults and two teens. Down sides - it needs a bit of a freshen up in places but nothing too bad and believe that is planned for this year. I didn’t like the bathroom being so open, it was fine for myself and partner but far from ideal for two teens sharing. I would have liked a bit more variety with the drink choice as I didn’t like much of the options, did manage to get a reasonable mojito though. Check in was long as it was a whole coach plus mini bus arrived at once. Great stuff - Food we thought was great. Plenty of choice and good quality. There was always seating for meals or drinks. Always found a sun lounger free Location was right on a lovely beach, clean and very soft sand once you got past the little Shelly but. It that was nothing to moan or worry about. Staff very pleasant and cheerful. Everywhere was clean and tidy. Very peaceful and restful holiday but activities and things to do if you want a bit more activity.