VOI Praia de Chaves Resort Review | Boa Vista 5-Star All-Inclusive
VOI Praia de Chaves Resort, Boa Vista — The Complete Resort Review
Resort Overview & Vibe
VOI Praia de Chaves is a beautiful 5-star all-inclusive resort that many returning visitors still know by its former name: this is the highly-rated Iberostar Club Boa Vista, rebranded under the Italian VOI Hotels group (part of the Alpitour Group) in 2023. The change of ownership brought a distinctly Italian flavour to the all-inclusive experience and clientele, but the setting that made it popular is unchanged.
What sets it apart visually is the architecture. Instead of the massive concrete blocks that define the island's mega-resorts, VOI Praia de Chaves is laid out like a small Mediterranean village — charming terracotta-toned villas in one- and two-storey rows, set among gardens. The result is a serene, welcoming, human-scale atmosphere. With 276 rooms it's a fraction of the size of the nearby RIU giants, and it deliberately trades headline entertainment and waterparks for calm, comfort and a more intimate feel. If you want a relaxed, boutique-leaning escape rather than a 24-hour party, this is the alternative. One honest, recurring note from guests: the bones of the resort are lovely and immaculately kept, but some rooms and bathrooms are starting to show their age and could use modernising.
Location & The Spectacular Beach
The resort sits in roughly 15,000 m² of gardens, in an elevated position directly overlooking the breathtaking Praia de Chaves — a long, wide stretch of fine white sand that's among the most beautiful on the island.
On convenience, it's hard to beat: the resort is just about 3 km from Aristides Pereira International Airport, a transfer of only around 10–15 minutes, with the island capital of Sal Rei roughly 10 km away.
An insider tip worth knowing. Because the hotel is built on a slight rise/cliff to maximise those panoramic ocean views, the pathways down to the beach are a little steep in places. The trade-off — spectacular sea views from the pools and restaurant — is well worth it for most, but families with heavy strollers and guests with reduced mobility should factor this in (and may want to request a room positioned to minimise the climb). As elsewhere on Boa Vista's exposed Atlantic coast, the sea can be breezy and lively, so take local swimming advice and watch the flags.
Rooms & Terracotta Villas
The 276 rooms are distributed among the picturesque one- and two-storey villas rather than high-rise buildings, which is exactly what gives the resort its cosy, village-like character. Rooms are generally around 30 m², bright and airy, with cheerful blue-and-white Mediterranean touches.
Standard amenities include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, a minibar, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safe, and a private balcony or terrace. The Superior Family rooms and Junior Suites are the ones to book for a view — several enjoy spectacular sea outlooks, though it's worth requesting a confirmed (not "side") sea view, as palms and shrubs can partly obscure the lower-category rooms. Many villas are a short, pleasant walk from reception across the gardens.
Pools, Spa & Wellness
The Pools. There are two main seawater pools, plus a dedicated children's pool. The lively main pool is the social hub and includes a stunning infinity section that appears to spill toward the ocean — a genuine highlight, and a lovely spot for a sunset drink from an in-water sunbed. The second pool area is quieter and more tucked away, ideal if you want to read and doze undisturbed. Pool service is a nice touch: waiting staff often bring drinks and snacks (pizza slices, toasted sandwiches) right to your lounger.
The Spa. The wellness centre is comprehensive, with an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, a fitness centre, massage cabins and a sauna/steam room. Do note that some facilities — such as the Turkish bath (hammam) and certain treatments and massages — carry an extra fee on top of the all-inclusive package.
Food & Drink: All-Inclusive Dining
Restaurants. Dining centres on the main buffet restaurant (previously branded Le Praia Blue), serving international and Cape Verdean dishes with a themed evening most nights and lovely sea views from the terrace. There's also an à la carte / gourmet restaurant (previously La Tortuga) for a more special evening. One important difference from some all-inclusives on the island: the à la carte option may require both a reservation and an additional charge, so check the terms on arrival rather than assuming it's free. As is common here, the buffet's core selection can feel a little repetitive over a longer stay, even though the food is well prepared.
Bars & Beach BBQs. Drinks flow at the beach bar, pool bar(s) and lobby bar, with relaxed, non-intrusive live entertainment in the evenings. A nice recurring highlight is the beach barbecue events, often held on Tuesdays — a sociable, scenic change from the buffet.
Family Facilities & Active Leisure
Despite its serene feel, the resort is genuinely family-friendly and keeps everyone busy.
Kids' Clubs. The childcare is well-organised and tiered by age: a Baby Club (3–6), Kids Club (7–13) and Young Club (14–17), so younger children and teens each get age-appropriate activities. There's also a dedicated kids' pool and a playground.
Sports & Activities. Active guests are well served with tennis courts, beach volleyball, archery, darts, and an open-air fitness area for aquagym and aerobics. For something more adventurous, you can rent sand bikes to explore the miles of open beach, and there are kitesurfing centres nearby — Praia de Chaves and the surrounding coast are popular with wind- and kitesurfers.
The Boa Vista Showdown: VOI Praia de Chaves vs. RIU Resorts
The choice on Boa Vista really comes down to scale and energy. Here's how to decide.
VOI Praia de Chaves is best for travellers who want a quieter, village-style, almost-boutique feel, spectacular elevated ocean views, and a relaxing atmosphere well away from big crowds. Its smaller size and Italian-inflected, low-key style are the whole appeal — choose it if peace and charm matter more than headline facilities.
The RIU resorts (Karamboa, Touareg, Palace Boavista) are best for travellers who want high-energy, 24-hour all-inclusive entertainment, big pool complexes, the shared Splash Water World waterpark (at Karamboa and Palace Boavista), and a livelier, late-night party scene. They're far larger, with more dining venues and more going on — but also busier and less intimate.
In short: VOI for tranquillity and character; RIU for scale and entertainment.
FAQs
Was VOI Praia de Chaves previously the Iberostar? Yes. The popular Iberostar Club Boa Vista was rebranded as VOI Praia de Chaves Resort, under the Italian VOI Hotels group, in 2023.
Is VOI Praia de Chaves good for families? Absolutely. It features a dedicated children's pool, family rooms, a playground, and tiered kids' clubs covering ages 3 to 17, so children and teens are well catered for.
How far is VOI Praia de Chaves from the airport? It's exceptionally close — about 3 km from Aristides Pereira International Airport, roughly a 10–15 minute transfer.
Does VOI Praia de Chaves have an infinity pool? Yes — the main seawater pool features a stunning infinity edge overlooking Praia de Chaves, one of the resort's standout features.
What are the restaurants at VOI Praia de Chaves? The core is the main buffet restaurant (international and Cape Verdean dishes, with themed evenings) plus an à la carte/gourmet restaurant for a more special meal; the à la carte venue may require a reservation and a small extra charge.
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Related reading: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Boa Vista · Tipping & Money at Cape Verde Resorts · Sal vs Boa Vista for an All-Inclusive Holiday · Top Excursions in Boa Vista
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