Hotel Riu Touareg

“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.”

“Fantastic hotel! Very apprehensive seeing the reviews beforehand but glad we ignored them. Slight problem with the room on arrival, reported it, sent someone out on the evening to fix it and also relocated rooms the following day. Resort very clean, rooms fantastic! Food was excellent, it’s an all inclusive with additional restaurants on top so plenty of variety. Had no problems with it at all. Staff couldn’t off been any more helpful and polite, full of happiness and good spirits. Entertainment available all day. On an evening the entertainment was good with what they had provided, there is so much more potential with the facility with the evening entertainment, one week was plenty. Location, okay, nothing around the hotel but do your research, there are plenty of excursions to book if needed. Would highly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a chilled holiday with the options off doing the odd day. Looking forward to see what they do with the refurbishment.”

“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.”

“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.”

“Had a good time at this hotel but one or two things that can't be ignored: Good stuff: The staff - 99% of the staff we came across were fantastic. All great at their jobs. Friendly service. Always happy and stopped to say hello to our kids. The resort - very well maintained and cleaned by the above mentioned staff. The location - in the middle of nowhere but that's not really a bad thing to appreciate the natural beauty of the place. The beach is like something off a postcard. The pools - decent choice of pools. Never struggled to get a sun bed. Bad stuff: The rooms - visible mold growing on the bathroom ceiling and in a wardrobe next to the bathroom. Toilet had a grim smell to it no matter how often it was cleaned. Tv screen was cracked, not that it mattered because there was nothing connected to it anyway. Sofa was so uncomfortable you struggled to sit on it. Air con sounded like an old tractor idling. Check in - we arrived after a 6 hour flight and our room wasn't ready so we had to sit around in the bar for another hour. We arrived at around 3pm. Not ideal. Kids entertainment - there's a kids club here but after checking it out I wouldn't fancy leaving my young kids in it. Other than that there's a mini disco 6.30 - 7 and that's pretty much it for the kids. The kids pool is in need of some TLC. The food was OK but very repetitive. There's Italian / Asian restaurants that you can book without charge but this wasn't mentioned to us at check in. We found out from another guest and there was no availability for the rest of our trip, but I am told they are very good. In summary: We had a good time at this hotel, but it desperately needs some money spending on it to get it up to scratch. I don't believe TUI should be advertising it as 5 star. It doesn't compare with the 5 star resorts in Turkey or Mexico. I believe it is having a refurb this year so I'll keep an eye on that. I think the recent illness stuff about cape verde has been blown out of proportion. There was nothing I saw or heard here that made me think it was unhygienic.”