Hotel Riu Touareg

With over 800 rooms, Hotel Riu Touareg is a huge hotel without much nearby except for the sandy beach that stretches on for miles. The landscaping is lovely, with palms and well-manicured bushes surrounding sand-colored buildings and expansive pools, which have brown tile decks and lots of dark-brown woven umbrellas and loungers. Inside, the vast reception area is bold and bright, with a black-and-white-striped front desk, thick columns painted in brown stripes, and a floor with gold tiling. Metal ceiling fans, bright orange planters, and simple woven couches arranged near shelves of bronzed African sculptures complete the lobby's modern vibe. Guests include couples and travelers of all ages, as well as many families. As such, the kids' club area has been created with care and is particularly cute, with a sandy, tree-themed playground, and a pool with a swim-under waterfall and two small slides. The indoor activity area for kids is cheery and bright, with small tables and colorful chairs. Adults are catered to in the adult-only area, with its own pool with swim-up bar, and restaurant open once a week. 

Hotel Riu Touareg is the only resort in Santa Monica, and is so remote that a -- rather bumpy -- road was paved just for the hotel and its guests. There’s nothing near the hotel except for the beautiful sandy beach, extending for almost five miles. The airport is about 25 minutes' drive, and guests can reach the village of Sal Rei, Boa Vista’s residential center, in about 30 minutes by car. Sal Rei offers a nice selection of local restaurants, shops, and nightlife, along with ferry access to other islands. 

Standard Rooms have a welcoming feel, with textiles in warm reds and peaches, tribal-patterned ceiling borders, woven furnishings, beaded curtains, and colorful African paintings. Each room has a balcony or terrace, including some with ocean views. Other standard features include mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, safes, central air-conditioning, and ceiling fans. There are suites and Family Rooms available, with separate seating areas and sofa beds. Bathrooms have stall showers and beige tiling with African patterns. Rooms in the adult-only area come highly recommended, and have liquor dispensers, minibars with water and soft drinks, and upgraded bathroom amenities; the suites in this section have hydro-massage tubs. Most rooms are a slight step above rooms the rooms at sister property Clubhotel Riu Karamboa in terms of decor. Bedding varies a bit, with some rooms having a more modern look (white bedding with bed runners, typically coral) and others having bedspreads with a colorful red and brown African pattern. 

Hotel Riu Touareg has several pools, including a large freshwater pool with a swim-up bar, a whirlpool, three saltwater pools, and a children’s pool with a waterfall. Table tennis, shuffleboard, and beach volleyball are available, and there's an animation team organizing activities. There are also a fitness center with a variety of machines, and a spa with a hammam offering beauty and massage treatments. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets are served daily, and the restaurant can get crowded; it has an impressive selection of cheeses, in addition to the prepared foods and live cooking stations. Three specialty restaurants are available with reservations. Evening entertainment includes shows and music, and several bars are on-site, including a disco and karaoke bar. Shops selling souvenirs, snacks, and toys are also at the hotel. Wi-Fi is only free in common areas, and a conference room with plastic chairs is available.