Pousada Villa Concetta

Settle into a small seaside pousada in Cidade Velha, where the day revolves around the bay rather than a resort programme. The furnished terrace, sea view and direct access to the water give you somewhere to sit, look out and let the Cape Verdean sun do the talking.

Pousada Villa Concetta suits divers who prefer a straightforward base with character and a useful position over a large property packed with facilities. You get WiFi throughout, a terrace for outdoor dining and a sea-facing setting that puts the water firmly into your evening plans.

There is also a practical, homely feel to the place: private entrances, a small on-site minimarket and rooms equipped for an uncomplicated stay. No need to dress for dinner when the main requirement is finding somewhere comfortable to put your feet up.

You are in Cidade Velha, Cape Verde, around 700 metres from the town centre. The pousada faces the sea on the bay of Santo Antonio, with access to the bay by staircase. The setting is coastal rather than urban, but the historic sights and local places to eat are within reach.

Praca do Mar is about 0.7 miles away on foot, while Real Fortaleza de São Filipe is around 0.9 miles away. For a broader look at the island's history, the Praia Archaeology Museum and Núcleo Museológico da Praia are about 5 miles away by road, and the Diogo Gomes Monument, Presidential Palace and Alexandre Albuquerque Square are around 6 miles away.

Praia International Airport, also known as Nelson Mandela International Airport, is about 7 miles away in a straight-line listing and roughly 9 miles by road, with a stated driving time of 16 minutes. That makes the pousada a practical first or last stop around a flight, as well as a base for exploring Cidade Velha.

For two, the Standard Studio is the natural choice: a double bed, private bathroom and the useful possibility of a kitchenette in the equipped studios. That gives you a little more freedom when you do not want every snack or drink to involve a trip out again. A minibar is available for keeping something cold after a hot, salty day outside.

Travelling with family or friends, the triple and quadruple room layouts make more practical sense. They use a combination of double and single beds and are designed for up to four guests, with a private bathroom. There are family rooms too, although cots and extra beds are not available, so the existing bed arrangement matters when you book.

Every room has a flat-screen TV, fan, mosquito net, wardrobe and private bathroom with shower, towels, toiletries and hairdryer. Independent water, hot-water and energy installations are provided in the rooms and studios. The details are modest but useful: a private entrance, a socket near the bed and somewhere to hang clothes after the day's activities.

Breakfast is continental and served as a buffet each morning. It is the sort of start that lets you eat at your own pace before heading towards the bay, rather than turning the first meal of the day into an event in its own right.

The pousada has an outdoor dining area on its furnished terrace, where the sea view gives breakfast and a simple evening drink a proper sense of place. There is no restaurant or bar detail to build a full dining plan around, so you will want to use the nearby cafés and restaurants when you fancy something beyond the pousada's morning spread.

Praca do Mar is about 0.7 miles away on foot, and Real Fortaleza de São Filipe is around 0.9 miles away. A minimarket on site and the in-room minibar cover the useful small things, particularly when returning tired and not in the mood for a serious expedition.

The main non-diving activity is the sea itself. You have direct access to the bay by staircase, and snorkelling is available for the days when you want to stay close to the surface rather than prepare for another full dive. Boat excursions are also offered, giving you another way to spend time on the water.

Back at the pousada, the sun terrace, outdoor furniture and sun loungers or beach chairs are made for the quiet part of the day. A small fitness facility is available if you still have energy to spend; after a long day in the water, simply taking a seat facing the sea may prove the more ambitious option.

Cidade Velha adds a cultural option without turning the stay into a complicated itinerary. You can walk towards the town centre, visit the historic Real Fortaleza de São Filipe, or use a car to reach museums and landmarks around Praia.

Check-in runs from 14:30 to 23:30, and you should tell the pousada your expected arrival time. Check-out is from 08:30 to 13:30. Private check-in and check-out are available, while luggage storage helps if your flight times do not line up neatly with the room.

An airport shuttle is available, and a shuttle service can be arranged through the property. Free public parking is available nearby, without the need for a reservation. WiFi is free throughout the property, and the pousada also has a safety deposit box, invoice service and non-smoking rooms.

The property accepts cash payments only. Children of any age are welcome, although guests aged 16 and over are charged as adults, and guests under 18 must check in with a parent or official guardian. Pets are not allowed, and parties or events are not permitted. Travellers to Cape Verde must also complete online registration before arrival.