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Hotels on Santa AntaoNorth CoastJust a short and efficient ferry ride from Mindelo on the Mar del Canal or by fast catamaran , this is the only verdant island in the Barlovento or Windward chain. It is popular with walkers, birdwatchers and those who value solitude. The arrival port of Porto Novo has little to reccomend it and most take the minibus over the twisting cobbled, potholed roads to the north coast towns of Ribiera Grande and Ponta do So opr Pauil ( pronounced Powool) , a bumpy trip of 35km or a couple of hours. Ponta do Sol has the best hotels and is pretty, but sleepy. The old airport runway now disused, the church and the grand colonial buildings along with a tiny harbour and a pebbly beach are reminders of better days when it was a colonial outpost. Blue BellThe best hotel in Ponta do Sol, it is in the street that runs down to the old fishing harbour and the small beach. Usually fairly full of Germans setting out on minibus tours to hike through the rugged terrain, it is quiet once they have left for the day. You can go on a tour with them at a shared cost of £50 for however many they can cram into the Toyota Minibus or you can wander around the sleepy town or take a taxi to the quaint little settlement of Fontanhas, which time has passed by. The manager is Belgian and keeps the place clean and humming. It is small with only 14 rooms, but has a restaurant. Pices from £140 per person per week Pedracin RanchThe hotel is a converted farm, perched half way up a hillside above the usually dry bed of theRibiera Grande. It is fresh and clean and you can watch falcons soaring amongst the high hills around. Seperate wood and stone chalets form the bedrooms which are set among bougainvilleas and banana palms, on a steep hillside. There are horses, peacocks and a small swimming pool. There are rarely many guests as it is a small and exclusive hotel, but it is ideally quiet, sunny and relaxing. A week costs £204 per person in a stone cottage.Hotel and Flight Quotation |