Casa Marisa

Something like I've never seen before, a hotel restaurant camp built down from the volcano that erupted 10 years ago. Round huts made with volcanic rock delightfully put together with rooftop terraces. Be careful as mine was on a lava bed that was still steaming 10 years later, very warm. Marisa is a great host and makes you feel at home. Good service, good food, great ambiance. A must to stay if you're passing through Fogo.

Excellent place to stay with reasonable rooms, hot water, very rich home-made food, all necessary information about the mountains, and all this at an affordable price! Finally, the owner is an experienced climber, and the staff is both friendly and caring.

The effort and time it took to travel to the island was totally worth it! I stayed 2 nights at Casa Marisa which is about 1+ hour on the local bus from the central bus station but there's only 1 departure everyday at noon. At other times, you will have to pay Euro 60 for a taxi. I stayed in a room in the main building. Don't know if it was just my room but it was very hot and I had to sleep with all my windows and even the room door open all night although it was very safe with only fellow travellers and locals in the vicinity. There was no hot water but it was okay for me given how hot it was when I was there. The hosts Mustafa and Marisa were most helpful from the moment I booked to stay with them providing me with information on the types of treks available and pricing, and offering to pair me up with others in order to keep my costs reasonable (as I was travelling alone). It is clear that they take great pride in the place that they have built for their family and travellers. I was disappointed that I didn't make it to the top of the volcano but this just means that I'll have to visit again and without hesitation I'll be choosing to stay at Casa Marisa on my next visit.

We stayed for 3 nights in the traditional house with ou 2 daughters of 10&12. I climbed the Fogo volcano, kids and wife did the Pico. The walk is intense but it’s really impressive. Second our great Ilias did a tour round the island with us by car. Showing the nice spots of Fogo Island. The stay at Casa Marisa is great. Everybody is friendly and helpful, the food and cocktails are great.

All around 5 stars. Marisa and Mustafa have done a amazing job with this property. Most amazing mountain and volcano views in the day and the brightest night sky I have ever seen. This is my 3rd time here and I indulge on any and all food while here. I have to say this was my favorite meal yet. We had the option of chicken or spaghetti for dinner. We both got chicken. 5 out of 5. Staff was extremely accommodating and tried there best to make us have that relaxed resort feel. Thank you Marisa and Mustafa for making this piece of Cha like a slice of heaven.

Stayed here while visiting the volcano, the location is breathtaking, right under the nose of the volcano!! Everything works, the rooms, the food, the hospitality offered, my only complaint was the room temperature, because the hotel is built in the lava, the latent heat warms the floor, so warms the room. But full credit to the hotel, they moved me to another room in another building which was perfectly tolerable & I slept well. Dinner & lunch were excellent, and although I did not hike to the top of the volcano, the whole scenario was breathtasking. The journey up to the hotel is an experience, but arriving at this '***** landscape' is the reward.

Stayed for a couple of nights whilst on a walking holiday in CV, with friends. Was excited to be stayng here, in a caldera and right next to an active volcano. Not like anywhere else I've ever stayed. As the previous Marisa had been "washed" away by lava in the 2014 eruption the funcaos (funco/funko?)that we stayed in had all been built since then. Ours was basic in that it had two beds, a clothes rail, a window and an ensuite. It also had stairs round the outside on to the roof for a sunbathe. Beware sa leaving the roof though, there is a ridge just before the top step, ideal to trip over. There is a very low rail around the steps (below knee height so it wouldn't stop you falling over the edge) Some of the funcaos were warm, some less so. Ours had no heat whatsover. Neither did it have any hot water at all. But it did have water so we were one up on our neighbour. Although the sun was hot during the day as soon as it went down the temperature went right down to single figures and there was a frost overnight. So be prepared. Have to be honest the very cold shower after a seven hour walk up and down the vocano was bracing (I hope that it's true what they say about cold showers and your immune system). I suppose it's one way of ensuring that those of us who are from wet countries are not profligate with such a scarce resource. The ensuite was a bonus. It was plumbed, tiled and a very good size. Bit of an invisble step on the floor to flatten the unwary (blind from not wearing glasses in the shower). But, as said, no hot water (not even a brief trickle from sun-warmed pipes) and the en suite absolutley stank. I suspect that there was some blockage somewhere in the drain (insufficient water flow to wash away?) Even keeping the door tightly closed the stench hit you as you walked into the bedroom from outside. The dining room was large and warm so a good place to congregate. Drinks, soup, packed lunches, evening meals available. For me the best part by far was this hotel's location

Fantastic location inside a crater. Clean, unique places to stay. Wonderful views. Had a great lunch in this remote area. Would love to go stay for a week and hike the area. Well worth the effort to get there.

If you value calm and serenity in the middle of a spectacular natural setting, this is the place for you. Located at the foot of the Pico do Fogo volcano , surrounded by the walls of the crater in Chã das Caldeiras, Casa Marisa is indeed an oasis for the weary. I have not experienced anything that is comparable. The original hotel as I understand it was destroyed by the 2014 eruption and subsequent lava flows. Marisa and her husband Mustafa have rebuilt this place on top of those lava flows and it’s just an amazing, amazing place. In some of the rooms, on the floor, you can still feel the heat from the lava. Then there’s the people who make up the team here at Casa Marisa. The service is fantastic ! No question goes unanswered, no request is too much trouble. It is a real home-like atmosphere with kids sometimes and a beautiful dog (Tintin) who pretends to be guarding the place. A hearty breakfast is provided with fresh fruits, bread that is baked on the premises, pastries, jams made locally, tea or coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, homemade yogurt , etc… You can also elect to have lunch or dinner at Casa Marisa. You will not be disappointed. There is a menu of the day which features Cape Verdean specialties or those local to Chã such as chicken with caramelized figs or gooseberries. The grounds are immaculately kept and there’s a beautiful garden in the central courtyard with tons of beautiful succulents and different kinds of plants. I’ve had the good luck of being able to stay in the bungalows which are modeled after the traditional round houses that are found here in the caldera called funcos. They have a really nice and simple layout with an ensuite bathroom and shower. The hot water is heated from the lava! There’s a second level upstairs which is a balcony like area and you can look out over the volcano or use it for stargazing at night. Because there are no street lights, if it’s a clear night, you can see the stars and a couple of planets too! I highly recommend Casa Marisa for your next visit to Chã das Caldeiras