Sundy Praia Hotel

Principe

Sundy Praia 26

One half of São Tomé and Principe – sister archipelagos off the west coast of central Africa – Principe is the less developed of the two, and Sundy Praia, specifically, is ideal for those who truly want to get away, both physically and mentally. Just over 7,000 people live on this mountainous, rainforested island, which is a Unesco biosphere reserve, but you’ll barely see any of them from this luxury property with 15 tented villas. Set right on the north-west coast, Sundy Praia is the perfect base from which to explore both what lies inland and the ocean beyond.

You’ll have parrots for your wake-up call, a backdrop of verdant forest and impeccable blue waters for your morning swim. Food comes with a forest-to-fork ethos, as local produce is maximised for both what goes on your plate and on your body too – coffee-bean chiromassage, anyone?

Sustainability is key here, with every eco-villa , inspired by traditional wood-panelled fisherman’s huts, designed to reflect its natural environment without compromising on comfort, And, just to ensure you truly fall in love with Principe, bespoke tours take you to the best spots, from secluded beaches and lost ‘cities’ to cacao trails – these were once known as the ‘chocolate islands’, after all.

Villas from £484pp. 00 351 21 314 7580, hbdprincipe.com

Words by Alex Mead.

This review was taken from the August/September 2022 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.

Sundy Praia 26

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