The hotel VIP Praia is positioned as a business hotel, near the ocean. Unfortunately it does not earned it's four stars fairly. Around the hotel are walking lot's of stray dogs, kids beggars and of course havelly used taxi cars.
1.Room - reality
When we arrived in the room the towels were with black and yellow stains. The curtains were filthy. The toilet and shower "give us the opportunity to take the DNA of former guests ", because their hair and smell was present. Airco was on and off like a broken headlight, the lamp near the bed was busted and presented dust and a wierd yellow map like stain.
2.Swimming pool and Jacuzzi
The swimming pool is very well positioned with a beautiful view, but all around black dust and broken floor, present a real danger. The Jacuzzi had only one air buble working the other ones were in vacation.
3.Staff and management - behaviour
The staff smiles, but ignore to solve any probleem you demand solutions for. The "replacement managment " send us an email that really pissed me off, at the very first day that we arrived. In it is denying to transfer us with a shuttle from the airport to the hotel. We payed for the shuttle in our booking arrangement. Staff behaviour was unbelievably rude and in our first day the receptionist try to tell us about "profitable affairs" with taxi drivers that he and only he can arrange. We ask to speak with the management, but the manager was not available. We asked a second key for the room, it was not provided because the system just brooke down. They did manage to give it to us after 48h. Staff members from the reception speak poorly English. None of them speak French, nor Dutch, nor German only Portugesse. It is almost impossible to communicate with them.
4.Services
We want to make a coffe in the morning, but we were only provided with 2 tea bags. When we want to take water from the sink the teapot was
to big to fit under the water tap. The free mini bar was empty but we do recived a free bottle of water. The free bottle of water was placed at room temperature, 37 degree, it was not placed in the frige, to be cold enoufgh for drinking. Food and beverage at the swiming pool are low quality, but the waitress was nice and her English was at basic communication level.
5.General overview
I feel sorry for choosing this hotel to spend my vacation. The marketing team who promote the hotel did a greath job, persuing me to book. VIP Praia over promises but under delivers. If you are willing to spend your vacation in Praia Santiago DO NOT CHOOSE this place !!!! Our second honeymoon was ruined, do not ruin yours!!!! I feel really sorry for the amaizing potential this location has, but it is not well managed. Implementing strict cleaning rituals, hiring as receptionists English speaking staff, and listen carefully to your clients demands could make this location the most wanted vacation location. The location and the island itself is amaizing, combining perfectly the traditional life style with modern and fancy buildings.
