Introduction: Príncipe Island, considered by many as one of the last hidden gems, is situated off the coast of West Central Africa and forms part of the twin island state of São Tome & Príncipe. With its small, charming population and heart-warming culture, the island is ready to share its rich history and breathtakingly beautiful surroundings with the discerning traveller. As the closest tropical paradise to Europe, crime free and unaffected by political and religious instability, this safe and unspoilt island is mainly covered by the thickly forested area that forms part of the Obo National Park (with the dramatic peaks and slopes one can expect a true Jurassic Park experience), cascading down to some of the most idyllic beaches in the world.Above information is how the hotel presents itself on their website.
Below is my experience based on a two-night stay at the property.
My arrival experience: Warm welcome from Jacques and the team followed by an introduction to the place and a colourful welcome drink.
What I loved: Mostly the location and the design.
What about the food: Good food and more than you would expect in a destination like Principe.
What about the service: Great and attentive service from Jacques and his team. Good English skills by some of the staff impressed me as this is usually a problem in this country.
What about the room: Beautiful room with an attractive design. Comfortable soft bed, rain shower in the bathroom, high-speed internet access and flatscreen Tv.
Number of rooms: 13.
Website: www.belomontehotel.com
Type of property: Plantation hotel.
Location: Principe, Sao Tome and Principe.
Complimentary internet: Yes and very fast. It worked in the room and a speed test showed 16.96 MB per second in download speed and 8.25 MB per second in upload speed.
My overall impression: Great experience. Roca Belo Monte is the place to stay if you like Relais & Châteaux hotels. Very homely, small and comfortable. The location in a historical complex and the stunning banana beach makes it an overall great experience.
