December 16, 2025
I am a British resident of São Tomé and Príncipe. I live here, work here, and deal daily with the same power cuts, water shortages, and network failures that affect the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe. When I am not teaching English at the university, I spend my time fishing, exploring the beaches, and checking up on new restaurants.
This article is based on physical site visits and current operational reality as of late 2025, not scraped listings or affiliate summaries.
In São Tomé and Príncipe, the phrase “mid-range” is misleading. Comfort here has little to do with design or service polish. It is defined by whether electricity survives a grid failure, whether water pressure holds through the evening, whether air conditioning functions overnight, and whether the internet works when you need it.
For that reason, this guide does not rank hotels by stars or marketing claims. It evaluates the systems that determine whether a stay is smooth or frustrating. This is what separates the best hotels in São Tomé from places that merely look good online.
The properties below sit between basic guesthouses and ultra-expensive roça conversions. They are used by long-stay visitors, NGOs, consultants, and travellers who need predictability rather than spectacle. In practical terms, they represent the operational core of the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe.
This article is based on physical site visits and current operational reality as of late 2025, not scraped listings or affiliate summaries. If you want more information a good guide is the official tourist website for the islands.
The hotels listed were not selected through partnerships or complimentary stays, and trust me – as an English teacher, I couldn’t afford to stay at some of these places anyway! Each was assessed against three functional criteria that matter locally:
Energy security: Whether generators switch automatically, manually, or not at all.
Climate control: Whether air conditioning is modern and effective, or ageing and unreliable.
Connectivity: Whether a remote worker can hold a video call without interruption.
This approach reflects how experienced residents judge the best hotels in São Tomé, not how platforms rank them. Details are reviewed periodically as infrastructure and operating standards change.
Pricing Note: Prices shown are indicative estimates for a standard double room around 1 February 2026. Exchange rates and availability can shift pricing quickly.
Omali is neither charming nor central, but it is dependable. There’s a really nice pool, and a beach in front of the hotel, which on weekends is full of local families enjoying the sun, much, I suspect, to the annoyance of the hotel.
mali is neither charming nor central, but it is dependable. Located near the airport at Praia Lagarto, it operates as a largely self-contained compound, insulated from much of the city’s infrastructure volatility. It is a long walk to town from here, though you can take a secret shortcut: walk to the left of the closed-down car dealership and follow the coast rather than going up the hill.
As with all hotels in this guide, taxi drivers will charge you a premium because you are staying at an expensive hotel. However, for business travellers and first-time visitors, the predictability usually outweighs the taxi fare. This reliability is why it is often classed among the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe for work-driven stays.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €215 per night
The Reality
Power: Industrial generator with automatic switchover. Outages are usually barely noticeable.
Cooling: Modern, quiet air conditioning units.
Internet: Stable Wi-Fi suitable for video conferencing.
Pool: Consistently clean and well maintained, widely considered the best non-ocean swim on the island.
Insider Note: Their “late departure” facility allows you to shower and store luggage after checkout, which matters for late-night TAP and STP Airways flights.
Located in the residential Campo de Milho district, Kenito is newer than most competitors, and it shows. Plumbing and finishes are in better condition, and rooms avoid the damp, musty smell common in São Tomé’s older colonial buildings. It is not a resort, but it works. For travellers prioritising infrastructure over ambience, it competes credibly with the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €93 per night
The Reality
Power: Backup generator is available, but switchover is often manual. In practice, expect a short period of darkness before power returns.
Cooling: New, efficient air conditioning.
Internet: Often among the fastest reported speeds in the mid-range category.
Pool: A clean courtyard pool, but it is deep, over 2 metres, and not suitable for children or weak swimmers.
Insider Note: The owner is hands-on and responsive. Higher-floor rooms catch more breeze. There is no full dinner service, only breakfast.
The island’s flagship hotel sits directly on the ocean edge of the city. It is the default choice for diplomatic delegations and large groups, which means you are paying for location and security rather than room quality. Interiors are visibly tired and often feel dated for the nightly rate. Its inclusion among the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe rests on scale and redundancy, not refinement.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €203 per night
The Reality
Power: Full corporate-level generator redundancy.
Cooling: Central air conditioning is effective but often noisy.
Internet: Reliable throughout the complex.
Pool: Large infinity pool with ocean views.
Insider Note: Service at the sea deck bar is often slow. On weekends, request a room far from the function halls to reduce wedding noise.
Located next door to the main Pestana, the Miramar occupies an older colonial building surrounded by dense gardens. It has atmosphere, but also humidity. Historic structures here struggle with dampness. Atmosphere, rather than technical comfort, explains why it is sometimes grouped with the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €156 per night
The Reality
Power: Shared infrastructure with the main Pestana, generally reliable.
Cooling: Older units. Rooms can feel damp.
Pool: A large, quiet garden pool separate from the main hotel.
Insider Note: Guests usually have access to the main Pestana facilities. If you are sensitive to mould, avoid the older garden bungalows and request a room in the newer wing.
Located 30 minutes south of the city, this is a destination rather than a base. It is the only property on this list with a private beach. It feels like a small village, but once you arrive, you are effectively captive unless you have a car. Its isolation is the trade-off for being considered one of the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe outside the capital.
Be warned: because the beach is gated and non-residents are charged a fee, the resort feels disconnected from the real São Tomé. You could literally be anywhere in the world. The access road is rough; look for the turn on the left as you leave Santana heading south, where you will likely be met by a grumpy (at least the last time we were there) security guard.
They offer trips to the islet off the coast, but these are overpriced. You will find a much better deal by walking down to the surf club in Santana village itself.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €166 per night
The Reality
Power: Self-sufficient generator capacity.
Cooling: Air conditioning in all bungalows.
Internet: Weak or non-existent in bungalows. Mostly works at reception and the bar.
Pool: Infinity pool with ocean views.
Insider Note: The free shuttle to town runs infrequently, often just Tuesdays and Fridays. Without a rental car, you will struggle to leave the property, unless it’s in a hiace or a motorbike taxi. Check out our car rental here.
A large complex near the airport. On paper, it looks excellent, with a huge saltwater pool and spacious grounds, but guest experiences vary widely, however our list is limited, and it’s popular so it has to be one of the best hotels in São Tomé simply because we don’t have enough to warrant omitting it. Maintenance can be uneven. On good weeks, its facilities place it close to the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe, though consistency remains the issue.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €178 per night
The Reality
Power: Generator available, but when fuel is tight nationally, use may be rationed overnight. Ask about current policy when you check in.
Cooling: Functional, but units are often noisy.
Internet: Weak in rooms located far from the main reception.
Pool: Massive saltwater pool, excellent for swimming laps.
Insider Note: Do not confuse this with similarly named budget accommodation nearby. Service can feel impersonal compared to smaller hotels.
A vertical, modern hotel in the city centre. It lacks grounds, gardens, or a pool, but offers a plain, cool, and clean environment. It serves a single purpose: a reliable place to sleep and wash in the middle of town. It won’t win any awards, but it’s clean and comfortable enough, but at the prices we found you could do better by pushing your budget slightly and finding something with a few facilities.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €88 per night
The Reality
Power: Reliable generator backup.
Cooling: High-efficiency air conditioning.
Internet: Generally stable.
Pool: None.
Insider Note: English levels among staff can be more limited than at larger international hotels. Good for meetings and short stays.
You cannot judge Príncipe by the same rules as the main island. This is a remote UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where almost everything—from diesel for the generators to butter for breakfast—arrives by boat. If the supply ship is delayed, menus shrink and fuel is rationed.
When we talk about the best hotels in São Tomé, we usually mean “seamless reliability.” On Príncipe, that doesn’t exist in the same way. You are paying for the location, the silence, and the isolation. If the power cuts here, the trade-off is that you can actually see the stars. If you want a little more luxury check out Bom Bom and Sundy.
A hillside lodge above the bay at Nova Estrela. You stay here for the view, not the convenience. Once you take out the luxury hotels on Prince, the number of other hotels are limited, which is why this is on our list of best hotels in São Tomé, so its inclusion is more based on lack of choice rather than quality.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €50 per night
The Reality
Power: Mostly grid-dependent.
Cooling: Fans or AC depending on the room.
Pool: None.
Insider Note: A rental jeep is effectively required. Breakfast views are among the best on the island.
Verdict: Simple and dependable.
Located in Santo António, the island’s main town, this is a straightforward base for getting around. Within Santo António, it is often treated as one of the best hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe for functional overnight stays.
Estimated Price (Feb 2026): €69 per night
The Reality
Power: Limited backup. Usually keeps lights and fans running, but not air conditioning during outages.
Cooling: AC available when the grid allows.
Internet: Variable.
Pool: None.
Insider Note: The owner speaks excellent English and is a useful local contact.
The “Green Pool” Warning
In the tropics, a swimming pool is a serious engineering challenge. On São Tomé, a crystal-clear pool is the most reliable proxy for general maintenance. It shows that a hotel has the budget for chemicals, pumps, and skilled staff, and becomes one of the best hotels in São Tomé and Principe.
If the pool is cloudy, green, or empty, assume the room air conditioning and shower pressure have been neglected too.
The Generator Hierarchy
Not all backup power is equal. Among the best hotels in São Tomé, how electricity returns after an outage is critical for a good night’s sleep.
Tier 1 (Seamless): Omali, Pestana
The generator kicks in automatically within seconds. You barely notice the flicker.
Tier 2 (Manual): Hotel Kenito
The lights go out. You wait in the dark for 2-5 minutes while staff run to the shed. Power then returns.
Tier 3 (Rationed): Hotel Praia
During national fuel shortages, generators may be turned off late at night to save diesel. Ask about current policy before you book.
The Cash Rule
Credit card terminals rely on the mobile network, which is prone to latency and failure. You cannot rely on plastic alone, even at top-tier venues.
International cards: Usually work at Omali and Pestana.
Hit-and-miss: Kenito and SH Boutique. Terminals are often down.
Cash only: Almost everywhere on Príncipe.
Advice: Never assume your card will work on the day you check out. Always carry enough Euro or Dobra cash to settle your bill if the network fails. If this guide to the best hotels in São Tomé and Principe has been helpful, please drop us a line, we’re happy include your thoughts.