3 Best Hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe

The muted colors, minimalist lines and contemporary architecture here mimic Florida condos, and there’s something to be said for feeling at home when traveling in exotic, faraway places. Rooms are trim, with no frilly touches, just boxy seating and comfortable beds on clean, beige tile floors. Bathrooms are modern. The restaurant serves some local touches but nothing too daring. If you begin to feel as if you never left home, look for bats flying in the palm trees outside at dusk.

Modern but colorful, close to town but tranquil—this place creates a multi-purpose setting where you can let go with a massage by the sea, awake early for a day of exploring, or simply sit by the large infinity pool, sip a cocktail and, finally, finish that book. Spend evenings reflecting in a lighted gazebo at the end of a long pier. Feeling lucky? Check out the casino. Large rooms are trim in design but enlivened by bright throws, pillows, and chairs.

A little dated—OK, a lot—but this hotel was one of the first locally owned accommodations in Sao Tomé, and it still gets high marks from tourists and business travelers. On the city’s main avenue, it’s a good base for urban or wildlife adventures. The bungalow blue buildings shout 1950s, indoor tropical plants are all Copacabana, and there aren’t many cushy places to stretch out. Still, the rooms are clean, the bathrooms are modern and the price is right.