Omali Sao Tome

This was definitely a terrible experience that we will not repeat. On one of the days we stayed at the Omali Lodge in Sao Tome, we got to our room and there was a huge crab in the toilet bowl. We contacted reception, and a cleaning lady came and pushed it down the toilet and flushed it. We changed rooms and that was that. Later the same day, we were feeding dogs who were roaming outside the Omali restaurant, when the hotel's General Manager, Mr. José Miguel Ferreira Mendes, told us, in a very rude and annoying way, that we couldn't do that because then the dogs wouldn't leave and would come back for more. We asked to speak to him to understand the reasons for his rudeness and to better understand why street dogs are outside Omali Lodge, when they can be better tended and cared for by the hotel staff in other areas. We also discussed the event earlier that day. His response was to completely dismiss the situation and to disrespectfully make light of the situation. His rudeness and his dismissive attitude prompted us to check out of the Omali Lodge then and there and move elsewhere. Such behavior can never be condoned and must is least accepted from anyone, and even more so from the hotel's General Manager. He told us he has been here for years and years, but the staff, who treated us very very well told us that no one likes the General Manager. Since we were there for business, we understand the value and time a good clean hotel gives and Omali seemed just right till this happened. Clearly, it is obvious that Mr. José Miguel Ferreira Mendes is not fit to handle customer complaints, lend a listening ear, and resolve problems from their root, let alone manage a hotel.

We had a good experience at Omali. The room and grounds were all very clean, with a modern bathroom. Lots of space. Nice pool, decent exercise room. Food is very good -- stick with the fish. Restaurant service is slow, but that is endemic to STP. Get used to it. People are always friendly. In all, a very good place to stay in Sao Tome.

We transferred to Omali from a different hotel, 4km away. Omali offered a transfer at an eye-watering price of 25 euros *per person*. A five minute car journey for two people at 50 euros was a somewhat insulting and bizarre offer. There are large ants all over the hotel, including inside the rooms. The food was delicious, but more than double the price of good local restaurants. On our second day, three large crabs had made their way into the pool and these were not removed for over an hour until we had to remove them ourselves. The hotel advertises itself as having a fitness centre, but you have to request a key to use this. Also slightly strangely the general manager asked on the third day why I wanted to use the gym every day. Overall, there are certainly better value for money options on the island.

It‘s and old Lodge Style Hotel with ground and 1st flor bungalows. When I give 5 Stars it‘s because I believe it‘s the best hotel in São Tomé. Best and expansive but that‘s Africa. Good Management and staff bring the really best Food onto your table. Small desadvantage: they let enter native kids in the Pool for a fee which makes it a bit noisy on weekends. Anyway, a good idea.

When I checked in I was basically thrown a key and shown to my room. Don't know if they remembered me from the previous stay a few days earlier but either way they should have made an effort to describe amenities and so on. This visit I ate dinner at the restaurant and while the food was good I had to wait over an hour from ordering until the meal was served. The outdoor seating is facing the road outside the hotel and made it a less enjoyable experience. On my final day I had a night flight so I paid extra to have my room available until the transfer to the airport but despite this housekeeping came and tried to clean the room three times. I would recommend the Omali if you only intend to sleep there between flights or as an outpost for tours to Sao Tome city and neighboring areas. It seemed like there were better options if you were willing to stay further from the city

Only spent one night between flights. Staff was friendly during check-in. Breakfast was okay but a little limited in choices which is to be expected for a small island