Our room was the nicely decorated but a little shabby, TV didn’t work , toilet was leaking and not attached to the floor, hand shower didn’t work very well. Food was a disappointment, it didn’t taste good and wasn’t very well presented. There was no menu for dinner in writing and no choice of food. Communication with restaurant staff was extremely limited if we didn’t speak Portuguese. Breakfast buffet was small with hardly any choice. Waiting times in the restaurant were very long.

Beautiful location and views. Garden is amazing. Very quiet. Beaches nearby are very nice especially Praia boi. The manager is lovely and very helpful, speaks good English and very honest. All in all some good memories.

Stayed in January 2025

Unfortunately, at times, there was a 2-star quality to the 5-star prices. Dinner was a one-choice selection, and the wine menu was 'red or white' which surprised us. The hotel had recently let 75% of its staff go and was definitely understaffed, even for the small number of guests staying there during January. Ordering drinks was slow, and it took over 30 minutes to make 2 of their advertised cocktails as the barman was obviously filling in for someone else. The hotel could do more to help maintain the cleanness and litter issues (washed up plastics) which took the charm away from Banana Beach.

Amalfi coast with jungle setting as the Italianate terraces look out over the sea. The ambience and setting of the hotel are lovely, and we fell in love with its quiet atmosphere, attractive buildings and relaxed environment. The hotel shuttle will run you down to Banana Beach and pick up at an agreed time. The pool and museum in the gardens are both of interest and attractive places. Breakfasts were surprisingly simple but the copious coffee made up for it. All the staff are friendly and helpful, and the bedrooms and reception rooms in the main lodge were large and comfortable.

Stayed in January 2025

Lunch menu very poor and not everything on it was available. Buffet for dinner all 3 nights. Buffet badly laid out, so everyone was on top of each other. Cannot understand why they did not have the salads in 1 place and make the hot food more accessible. No info about how much it was etc. €35 expensive for what was available. Beach bar was not open, which was a real pity when we wanted to relax and have lunch. Had to cut our day short and go up for lunch. Dirty glasses sitting about all day in communal areas until the cleaners came at night. Seems like the bar staff only attended to bar area. So much plastic on beach and in sea. We collected a very large bag. Staff were sweeping it into piles on the second day and leaving it for tide to take it back out to sea.

Beautiful architecture and rooms. View is stunning. Lots of birds and good snorkeling on beach.

Stayed in January 2025

Food was OK, but not quite up to the rest of the standards

Fabulous location and rooms, very attentive staff, excellent programme of activities

Stayed in November 2023

- the bed was too soft

- amazing property with stunning views and the beach is probably one of the best on the island

Stayed in September 2022

That I had to leave

Absolutely everything. If I could rate them 20/10 I would. Principe was beyond belief but Lucia, Michael, jose Luiz, Amilcar and co. were icing on my cake. Lots of icing.

Stayed in August 2024

1. Very poor communication: The problems began 3 months prior to travelling, I attempted many times, but failed, to organize excursions with this hotel. They sent me a brochure without prices. When I asked, they said prices were under review. Then out of the blue, they sent an email imploring me to choose them instead of other providers - quite difficult given I wasn't receiving any information! I asked for a custom tour, they told me it was a bad idea. I explained why it wasn't; they ignored that and quoted me for something else. Then they told me excursions were only available for guests - which I was!!! Finally, I got an answer of €500 for a day tour - ridiculous. I gave up and arranged the tour with a local guide, Zeze. My custom tour idea was perfectly doable and it went really well. 2. Room Hygiene including bugs: The hotel is priced in the same bracket as 5* hotels in major world cities. It is supposed to be upscale. Our first impressions of the room were positive - nicely designed & spacious. We quickly discovered issues. Every surface in the bathroom (sink, bath, toilet, shower) covered in ants. A spray was left, so we spent the next 30 minutes doing the housekeepers job. We later saw a long, thick, dead worm in the shower. I wouldn't expect this in a 1* hotel for €40 a night, let alone €400+. 3. Food Hygiene: Dinner was fine, but breakfast was serious food poisoning waiting to happen. Hundreds of flies swarming every piece of food - dangerous & inedible! 4. Payment: Their page says they accept Visa. I confirmed this in advance. Yet at check out, only cash or a bank transfer was possible. We didn't have that amount of cash. So I had to spend the next 30 minutes logging into my accounts to organize an international bank transfer - super inconvenient. 5. Transport: They run a car to Banana Beach. On the way is a great viewpoint over the beach. 3 different times we asked to stop at it for photos - using Google Translate.

The hotel manager was very friendly and helpful. She provided more useful information about excursion options in 3 minutes than had been provided by email in the previous 3 months (see below). She made us feel welcome and so I feel sad having to write the negatives in the rest of this review, as I do really appreciate her kindness and I can see she is trying her best. The location is spectacular, there is no denying. The views from the main building, along with the access to Banana Beach are unrivalled on Principe - this is the biggest selling point. Principe has so much potential. So does Belo Monte; the grounds are beautiful and the setting unlike many other places in the world, but the hotel itself is farcical. As you'll read below, there are just too many deal breakers.

Stayed in February 2024

Exceptionnal spot for a honey moon

Stayed in January 2024

The restaurant food was good but not amazing.

It is an amazing property in the middle of the rain forest with top of the line facilities and staff. The activities offered to experience the island are a must and absolutely fantastic.

Stayed in February 2023

Amazing location, great views and helpful staff!

Stayed in October 2022

Indescribable location, some of the best good we have had in hotels. perfection

Stayed in September 2022

The breakfast was a little disorganised - there is a fly problem, and the food is not covered.

It has a beautiful view and the private beach is simply incomparable.

Stayed in August 2022

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in December 2023

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in October 2022

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in August 2022

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in August 2022

There are no comments available for this review

Stayed in January 2023