Picolo recommends · Hotel in Santa Maria, Cape Verde
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
Sand outside the gate, the fishing town of Santa Maria a stroll down the shore, and a pool deck sheltered from the trade wind.
Step out past the pool and you are on the sand, with the Atlantic rolling in and kitesurfers sometimes out on the water. The Hilton sits on the beach just outside Santa Maria, the small town at the southern tip of Sal, with modern rooms and a good share of them facing the sea.
The big pools are set back from the shore and shielded from the wind, which matters here, because the breeze off the ocean rarely lets up. There is a spa for slower afternoons, and because meals are not bundled into the rate, Santa Maria's tables become part of the stay.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
We picked it because it gives you both halves of Sal without a car or a taxi. You have a proper beach hotel with room to swim and rest, and the town, with its pier and grilled fish, is close enough to walk to for dinner every night.
If you want every meal and drink covered, look elsewhere: this is not an all-inclusive, and eating at the hotel adds up. The beach itself is exposed, so on breezy days you will spend more time by the pools than on the sand.
What you get
- Large pools sheltered from the wind
- Beach right outside
- Spa
- Modern rooms, many with sea views
- Restaurants in Santa Maria within walking distance
A day at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
- Morning
- A swim in the pool before the wind picks up.
- Midday
- A walk along the water's edge into Santa Maria.
- Afternoon
- A treatment in the spa while the beach is at its breeziest.
- Evening
- Grilled fish at a restaurant in town, then a stroll back along the shore.
Location
Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde
Open in MapsQuestions about Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
Is Hilton Cabo Verde Sal all-inclusive?
No. The rate does not cover all meals, which leaves you free to eat in Santa Maria. The town's restaurants can be reached on foot along the beach.
Can you walk from Hilton Cabo Verde Sal to Santa Maria?
Yes. The hotel is on the beach just outside town, so you can stroll in for dinner, the pier or a drink without needing a taxi.
Is the beach at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal windy?
Often, yes. The trade wind blows across Sal much of the year. The pool area is sheltered, so it is the better place to lie down on blustery days.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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