Hotel Riu Funana - All Inclusive

Wow what a fab 2 weeks here - cannot fault anything - the staff were fab the food was lovely and hot and loads to choose from - the rooms were dated but clean and spacious- we were in Block 9 which is right by the pool which was perfect - there were no queues or rushing for sunbeds - we went to the poolmost mornings about 9 and there were plenty of beds left - only gripe was that the pool was cold - but once in it was fine and the pool bar and tables were an absolute hit - we made so many friends that way - also the mosquitos were a bit bitey - take some repellent but the cleaners gave us some spray when we asked for it - mini fridge in the room and we got 2 large bottles of water for free most days - we ate the ice and salad and did not get ill at all - would definitely definitely go back for sure

How this gets away with calling itself 5 star is beyond me. An outrageous claim made by TUI. F54, F44 & M18 year old. Upon arrival given room 80 & 82 in block 11. Furthest away from all facilities even though advised months prior of reduced mobility. Room was dark, dingy & smelt of mould. Exposed electrics, continuously running toilet and shower room ceiling leaking water and ready to collapse! Reception staff reluctant to help and only reallocated rooms when I really put my foot down and then they behaved as if they were doing me a favour! Moved to block 7 which was better but still not what you would expect from a 5star. Only two plug sockets in main room and over the other side from the kettle?! drinks tray with everything apart from milk so unable to have a cuppa. Very basic shower area, shower head not staying up properly, cracked tiles, grubby, but as already complained about first room didn’t want to again. No private space to change as toilet and shower open out to sink area then straight on to main room. Was cleaned when requested. Food was repetitive but ok, separate restaurants not much better disappointingly. We didn’t get ill so that was a bonus. Awful wine but ok cocktails. Lovely pool area and plenty of beds but tightly packed and people do reserve beds regardless of rules. 10 min walk to the beach along the gauntlet of lookie lookies . Beach is beautiful and the sea when safe to go in was lovely. Beach bar only serving beer and soft drinks. Neon party was fun and effort put in to and most staff generally friendly and hard working. 5€ taxi into Santa Maria for bars, restaurants and shops. Worth a visit but you will be repeatedly hassled. I really feel cheated out of 5K after looking forward for six months. TUI has received my formal complaint as that room was a health and safety hazard and no paying guests should have been staying in there. We would return to Cape Verde but definitely not to this hotel.

Just returned from an 11 night stay and it was excellent. The weather was beautiful. The sea was crystal clear, some days it was a little rough but I loved swimming in the waves. The beach was amazing and there was always spare sun loungers. The hotel it's self was good, very clean and room had everything we needed. Bottled water was replaced as we drank it and it was cleaned daily. For an all inclusive the food was excellent. Plenty of choice and with the exception of a couple of breakfasts it was always hot. Only once on a Saturday did we struggle for a table. The pool was good, always spare loungers even with people putting towels down at the crack of dawn. The place was really busy but it never felt like it impacted on you. Ques for drinks soon went, and you could always find a seat. The pier in Santa Maria is worth a look and the Lemon shark swimming experience id definitely recommend. Negatives: Mosquitos, we got covered in bites Alcoholic drinks, not the best, a little weak Pushy locals. Those on the walk to the beach were friendly and did back off when told no but if you go in to Santa Maria be prepared for pushy shop owners. The big question is would I visit again? Well, Sal yes, this hotel, never say never.

The positives, The hotel is located in a lovely spot right on the beach, just be careful in the sea as the waves are very strong. Reception Staff most of them were lovely only one that wasn’t helpful when we told them we were ill. The rooms are dated but are ok for what you use them for. The pool is massive with plenty of sun loungers. The pool bar staff are lovely. Constantly on the go and always happy to help. The entertainment team are amazing. Always busy, but make time to stop and have a chat with you. It’s a few minutes in a taxi to Santa Maria if you want to venture out for a few hours. You do get a lot of mither from the locals which is understandable as they want to make some money for their families. The beach in Santa Maria is stunning. There is a few excursions you can do, the lemon shark experience I would recommend. The Cape Verdean people are welcoming and very friendly. Negatives, Food hygiene in the hotel is disgusting. Flies all over the food, crockery and cutlery. Staff who were cooking the food were touching the food with bare hands, no gloves worn. Touching Raw chicken and Meat and touching other foods without washing hands. The raw chicken and meat were next to other food. Both my husband and myself got food poisoning whilst there. We’ve never felt so ill. There was a lot of people becoming ill with the same bug when we were there. This spoilt our holiday as we couldn’t eat hardly anything and could only drink water. Bedding didn’t get changed all week. If you want clean towels you have to leave the others on the floor or they don’t get changed. Wi-Fi was hit and miss with us. Not sure about anyone else if they had problems or not. At night time it’s very poorly lit when you’re walking back to your room. The balconies could also do with a light on them. It’s definitely not a 5⭐️ hotel I’d say more 3. Would we go back? No

The hotel itself is lovely, reception staff are very friendly and very helpful. The rooms are a little dated but they are clean and comfortable. The entertainment team have so much energy and are on the go all the time, they are amazing. Bar staff are wonderful. The hotel is kept clean. The food hygiene is not like at home, Both my husband and myself both ended up with food poisoning and was ill the last few days of our holiday as were other people staying there.which did spoil our holiday. The beach is a few minutes walk and it’s a beautiful beach, just be careful with the sea as it is very strong. We visited Santa Maria town centre, not much going on there an a lot of mither of the locals, which is understandable as they are wanting your custom and wanting to make money. The beach again at Santa Maria is stunning. You meet a few of the local stray dogs who were friendly and just wanted a stroke. We did the lemon shark experience and that was lovely. I would love to go back the only thing putting us off is the food hygiene.

Back from a week’s half term break for a family of 5 and I can get the mixed reviews both ways. To summarise, it’s not a 5 star hotel, it’s more than 3 but not 4. It’s just all a little dated now but has the air of grandeur still. The staff were lovely and friendly, the entertainment team were so enthusiastic and put great shows on. The WiFi signal was excellent - kids were happy. The pool was big, cold at first but you get used to it. The slides were excellent and generally quiet. There was plenty of sun beds, but if you want you favourite spot do the British thing. Food- mixed, The Kulimarium was exceptional and the highlight of our stay the Asian cuisine was also good. The main restaurant was ok but how can you run out of bacon and eggs for breakfast. They were slow to refill. Mosquitoes , it’s Africa they are everywhere at night, take spray, takes bands, be prepared. Cockroaches one of our rooms survived no visits, the other room had three and we have no idea how they got in. It was getting to the point if we’d stayed another day we’d have asked to change rooms. We told reception but they were pretty uninterested saying if you come to the tropics you get cockroaches. We booked a private trip with a local guide, it was great and I’d urge you support them and save TUi a few pounds. So on the whole it was great, just a couple of things that started to wear with us.

Worst experience of our life! Dirty rooms, food contamination for my son with a shellfish allergy- me and my partner have caught stomach bugs and we were moved rooms 3 times due to bed bugs, cockroaches and filth! Drinks and food are poor and we expected a great family holiday and ended up the holiday from hell! Do not visit here if you have a sensitive tummy, a food allergy or are expecting a clean and good experience. Rooms were full of bedbugs and our second room was filthy and third room full of cockroaches and Pooh in the bin!! Only good things I can say: Entertainment team are fab Neon party on Friday was amazing Pools were nice Met some great people Sadly, e turning else was awful and we are not fussy but this would be a push to say 3 star! Absolutely heartbroken we had such a poor experience and are currently under medical treatment at home and wouldn’t recommend this hotel to anyone- the shigella bug virus is rife and so many people were poorly here! Such a shame We enjoyed the first 2 days and spent the last 5 days poorly and unable to enjoy anything!

Def not 5 star. Room had cracked sink,cracked shower tray,bathroom door didn't close, toilet roll holder snapped off and left lying on floor,clothes dryer on balcony broken ,.bit 56 in an hour in room had to be fumigated,.chef dropped raw chicken on toasties,picked it off n left toasties out for customers to eat.food needs covered too many flies,.parasols are threadbare,gives no protection from sun,sunbeds are dated at best ,had to use cushions off chairs to sit comfy,.spirits cheap n nasty. Beach is 200yard walk not a stones throw.oh nearly forgot my bites were so bad I needed medical attention which ended up me having to stay off beach,stay out of pool, and, cover up,.took edge off holiday . some brill bar staff that brightened my days n nights.kulinarium and Asian restaurants were very good although, scallops are actually fish pieces.sadly never be back here.