Madeira

mark bartlett

A great location right on the seafront. The food was excellent and the staff were friendly and helpful. Good entertainment every evening and the rooms were spacious and very clean. Totally recommended, we will be returning.

Alexandru Ion

The hotel location and food were amazing 👏. There is plenty of food choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The views from the balcony are amazing. The staff was very friendly and helpful . Loved the pool area and Turkish baths. Really enjoyed our stay.

Radek Rzepecki

The hotel is nice but quite old. The staff is really friendly. The location is ok, a little bit far from town, but there is a free bus to Funchal. You can have a nice walk in the promenade with gourgues views. The food is bad. It's a shame to have an ocean in the front but no fresh fish. It was quite and relaxing, apart from the food it was nice to stay there.

stonne king

Moderately Good Experience. We (a family of four) were very excited getting into the hotel and meeting very friendly receptionists. Most of all, the suit, where we stayed, comprises of two very huge separate rooms connected by a door. In fact, we have never been to any other hotel that has such a very spacious suit yet, and we’ve been to quite a few. It’s simply the biggest room we’ve ever stayed in in a hotel. What’s more, there are two different bathrooms which is very practical for us. One doesn’t have to wait while any of the two toilets is occupied. These rooms are so solidly built that one hardly hears what’s going on in other rooms, offering another contrast to all the hotels we’ve been to. Another surprisingly superb experience is the free drinks at the bar. All the cocktails and hot drinks were totally free of charge for all inclusive guests; and the cocktails are excellent! There are non-Alcoholic for cocktails for children as well, which our children found lovingly tasty. The hotel’s location is right on the beach and all the rooms have ocean view, which we liked very much. We dinned every day while enjoying the marvelous scenery of the ocean, unique volcanic landscape and red sunset. As it is down on a slope, you’ll have to go uphill to get to the supermarkets; the biggest being Forum Madeira, which is in about 12 minutes walking distance. There’s a courtesy bus which can take you to and from town. Nevertheless, the rooms and furniture need refurbishing. Although the cleaning staff do their job thoroughly, one can’t help but notice that the two bad tubs in our suit are very old. The beds and Mattresses have sunk in the middle. Moreover, we were not quite thrilled with the buffet and the food offered. It was just not what we are used to getting from all other hotels where we’ve been to. The buffet was pretty small without much variety. Having gotten used to getting a whole lot of variety of foods in other hotels’ buffets, we literally had to ask the receptionists whether there’s another restaurant in a different part of the building. Unfortunately, there’s no other one, they told us. One thing I enjoy very much on Vacations is eating varieties of fish. But this time, we were only served almost the same every other day. The renowned black fish for instance, which Madeira is known for, was not even served for once. My children love eating pizzas; but none was served throughout our stay. We were told to go to other restaurants to get these types of food like Pizzas and black fish. They have lunch boxes though, for people who are going on sightseeing and as a result are not present for lunch. All in all, I would describe our stay in this hotel as satisfactory.

Martyn P

Rooms; really need Air Conditioning and could do with more plug sockets. Food; could be more varied and better cooked because almost every peice of fish or meat we had was overcooked, dry and chewy. I would also suggest you do the really nice salads that were available at dinner, at lunchtime instead if dinner. I would like to finish on a positive note and tell you the things we really did like about Pestana Ocean Bay.. Staff were all amazing, smiley, efficient and accommodating. Pool area was quiet every day, no staff doing quizzes and games which we liked as we could relax. No 'towel wars' for sunbeds either, another pleasant experience. Drinks with no queuing was brilliant with help yourself draught beers and help yourself wines and soft drinks and water. Your coffee machines served the best coffees ever too! The location is great too, right on the beach, out of the way from the busy city of Funchal but only €10 in a taxi plus, had a plethora or restaurants a short walk away and was close to the wonderful fishing village!

R. S.

The amenities are okay, with two outdoor pools, one small indoor pool and a jacuzzi. However, the rooms are definitely NOT of five start standard! 1. They do NOT refill your coffee and tea sachets in your room! I mean, even if those express hotels do that don't they? 2. Our 'double' bed is just two single mattress put together and the mattress is so hard. The pillow on the other hand is far too soft and thin to have any support of your neck. 3. The TV in the room is really small. Half of the channels don't work. Anyway, big disappointment. Unless it's really cheap, don't book It!

Mark Duijvenvoorde

The Hotel is beautifully located. Around the hotel you will find plenty of stores, restaurants bars. In addition, the center of Funchal is only a 15-minute walk away. The views from the hotel, breakfast room and pools are great. The breakfast is very extensive and the quality of the food good. The pools are lovely and assistance there strict but fair. The "reservation" of beds is not tolerated Not everything is positive. The housekeeping was abominably bad. They dutifully vacuumed the room, but that was all. The layer of dust in the closets immediately soiled our clean clothes. Several times we found a cleaning cloth in our room and once housekeeping took one of the bottles we brought with us. The front desk was not helpful. The staff could be more customer friendly. Especially at breakfast, a number of gruff brutes work who prefer to do nothing. Coffee? Get it there! One morning an employee of the hotel barked at a guest while demonstratively loudly smashing his plates on the table. In summary, the staff did not contribute to a vacation feeling. The hotel was once probably modern; however, those times are far in the past. The furnishings are dated, but more importantly the facilities work poorly. In our case, the faucets of both the bathtub and the sink leaked. All in all, it was a fine stay, no thanks to the staff or facilities. We will not return.

John Houlihan

We got a package deal with this hotel included. Great location, excellent buffet breakfast and friendly staff. The pools are great for kids and in a lovely setting. We were really lucky to get a free room upgrade also

Maura Quinn

Fantastic location with the most magnificent ocean view from our room. Staff lovely and friendly. The room was spotless and the air-con worked beautifully! The only niggles were as follows 1. No coffee/tea replenishment daily or water in the rooms, but when I reviewed the room for the hotel and mentioned this, we received both daily. 2. There are towels available for use by the pool, but you can't replace them except by leaving them in your room....which doesn't work if you're by the pool!! There are plenty of sun loungers available on all levels. The breakfast is very hearty and caters for all tastes. The pools are gorgeous and access to the sea is so easy! Food is available 24/7 and reasonably priced. We would be delighted to return soon!

Sheila Bugal

I was actually pleasantly surprised at this hotel. For the price point I was expecting way less, but we got a nice and big room with a pleasant view right to the ocean. The breakfast is also really good - again much better than expected. And the pools etc and nice. Not the BEST of the best, but definitely enough to have a good time. Also, it’s right in the center so restaurants are all around and everything you need is right there like pharmacy etc. Only cons: they don’t have a proper gym. Also their pools could use a proper clean. Their steam room smells weird and doesn’t work. But their sauna is good.

Lynda Clough

Good overnight stay for airport. Rooms need some TLC. Very basic. Staff helpful and friendly. Dinner not great, but breakfast very good. Not suitable for people with poor mobility or in a wheelchair. Steps to every level and lifts don’t go to every level. For this reason wouldn’t stay there again

Anna Polek

The room we had, had a very nice view over the ocean but unfortunately ther was no coffee maker or tea maker in the room (we had the junior suite). Otherwise I was disappointed of the hotel comparing how it appears on the website. The interior design (e.g. the dining room) as well as the pool area are outdated. The hotel is generally lacking care. It seems that no investments want be made to make it more modern and nice. Additionally the quality of the food at breakfast is VERY poor. The coffee and juice taste terrible, the eggs have no taste and the cheese is pure plastic. The pool area has a bar but it was not in operation. I would not come to this hotel again and I recommend choosing a better accomodation for the same price in the area.

Christoph Goossens

Just genuinely a great hotel: Friendly staff, good rooms, great location. Rooms may look a bit outdated, but bed was comfortable they were very clean. Immediately had hot water in the shower. There isn't much parking space at the hotel itself, but there are a few (free) car parks not really far away.

Panay Loukos

Spent two weeks at this hotel and it was amazing. The staff were welcoming throughout the entire hotel and kept a really nice impression to ensure you as the guest manage to relax and enjoy your holiday. Francisco stood out as the life of the party, ensuring all guests were included during the entertainment both during days and nights, which was really appreciated and made the stay that bit more enjoyable. Some of the entertainers (Oswaldo the guitarist, Jorge Ferreira and Alberto Costa the singers) were really talented with their live music and a wide selection of songs that people of all ages can enjoy. There was a French tour group with 4 reps (Simon, Benoit, Gwen and Lisa) that also were really attentive to all guests during the days and evenings even though they never had to be, which was really cool. The location itself is only a 10 minute drive from the airport and literally a 1 minute walk to the local beaches and shopping areas. Views are incredible from the rooms. We had a car, there is plenty of free parking around the hotel (1-2 minute walk) and found a spot every single day during our two week stay with no issues at all.

Kayla Burger

Dom Pedro Hotel was the last of the 5 accommodations during our stay in Madeira. The location is great, Machico is such a lovely town, with one of the only sandy beaches in Madeira and ability to actually swim in the sea. The hotel itself is nice, it does feel like you’re taking a trip back in time - like you’re an extra in the film Dirty Dancing. We didn’t notice too many other young guests, so we felt a little out of place, especially in the dining room during breakfast. The food served for breakfast was also good. The pool is also nice, although they don’t allow swimming after 18:00 which is a bit of a let down in those hot summer evenings - so a jump off the pier will have to do, if you’re in need of a cool down swim. The room we had was nice, but the bathroom had a funny smell, even after being cleaned and the pillows were horrible, so we didn’t really manage to sleep well. The door to our room also didn’t close properly unless practically slammed, which I’m sure annoyed other guests.

Garden Girl

Pros: The hotel is located near the largest shopping mall in Funchal, many restaurants, and other amenities. The buffets for breakfast were delicious with a nice variety of fresh fruit, breads, cheeses, and hot foods and coffee. Cons: The reason we chose the hotel is due to the inclusion of a kitchenette in the room, however the kitchenette had no pots or pans to use on the hot plate. We asked for one and were told that no one had ever requested one. We went to buy a frying pan, but then the next day they brought one to us. The room needed a good cleaning (e.g. your feet got dirty walking barefoot). The two twin beds pushed together to make a king bed were of different heights. The shower curtain rod was rusting. The shampoo and soap were in small packets the size of packets of sugar or sauce - two packets per person were provided for the entire stay. The person at the front desk didn't get up when we appeared at the front desk to ask about how to lock the safe and referred to us as renters, suggesting that we shouldn't be expecting services. She informed us that a lock was not automatically provided for the safe in the room, but had to be rented for 2 euros per day. As at December 2023, there was audible construction and plumbing noise, but it didn't keep us awake (only day time). Note: We were located on the third floor on the front, street side of the hotel - the view was of the buildings across the street. We did not make use of the pool or air conditioning/heating so haven't commented on those.

Mihajlo Vukobratovic

This is a fantastic place considering the value for the price.I went through the reviews and many negative reviews that make no sense. Rooms are spacious, with a balcony and kitchenette, bed comfy, toilet all good. The breakfast buffet is offering and covering all the options that you can have, all fresh and great. Parking on the street is easy and in front of the hotel. The pool, sauna and jacuzzi are the best thing after hiking and walking day. Overall a great experience. Recommend

Tereza Kožíková

I didnt wanna be a crybaby but this hotel Is not for 4 star. Roaches in restrooms, clothes moths in the room, bugs in the forgotten glass near the reception desk. Always opened luggage room so everyone can take your bag and no one will notice... Well... To stay positive: Staff is willing and kind and we had a view on the ocean.

Росен Ралчовски

Cons: The hotel is very bad. The fitted carped in the halls is dirty. The rooms are spacious but the furniture is old. The toilet lid and shower hanger were broken. The water pressure from the shower head was inconsistent. There was an irritating noise from the AC at night and the bed wasn't comfortable. Some of our friends said the towels weren't changed not even once for 4 days. The brekfast was poor and the food wasn't tasty. Pros: The staff was friendly. The hotel is located 10 minutes away by bus from the historic centre and marina of Funchal and the bus stop is just in front of the main entrance. There is a nice beach near the hotel and there are plenty of restaurants. The wi-fi was ok. Overall: I don't recommend this hotel.

StalkR

Terrible hotel, old, paper thin walls, bad food, but worst part is no rest day and night: they don't say it anywhere but there's long-duration construction work meaning you can't rest all day, while at night it's either groups partying all night, music and jumping in their rooms, or people waking up at 5 am and starting to make lots of noise, cooking, talking loud. The staff is passive and doesn't care. Avoid, plenty of better hotels.

Bartosz

Dear Team, Dear Guest Service Manager, Thank you very much for a wonderful stay. Great food, service, cleaning service. A huge thank you to the reception manager who always tried to help us and for Guest Service Manager. The service in bars and restaurants is simply excellent! The hotel is beautifully located. A big plus is the elevator to the beach. I would also like to thank the reception staff who helped organize the cake and always tried to help! I will recommend your hotel. It was a wonderful experience!

Zoe X

Absolutely lovely place. Such caring dedicated staff who cannot do enough and are always smiling. Stunning setting, delicious food lots of choices for all tastes. Beautiful sunsets and a nice relaxing Jacuzzi and sauna. Lots of entertainment and such magnificent music from the pianist, guitarist and saxophonist during mealtimes. Highly recommend this fantastic place.

julian cull

Great place to stay in Funchal. Buses stop regularly outside the hotel, so it was easy to get into Funchal centre or use the hotel free bus. Food was always hot and enough variety for a weeks stay. Superior deluxe room was a really good size. However, the decor is a little dated and only a shower over the bath. The pool area is great with plenty of sunbeds, but they are not very comfortable. Nice clean hotel. Staff friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our stay.

Steve Kane

Very good hotel, great staff service and excellent food. Only significant gripe was the poor state of some of the sun loungers, but other infrastructure (room carpets etc) also need a bit of an upgrade. That said, we really enjoyed the holiday.

callum turner

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Pestana Royal, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. Although I had a small mishap at the beginning of my stay, it was swiftly and professionally handled by Karina at Guest Services. Her attentiveness and warm hospitality turned a minor inconvenience into a positive experience-she truly deserves a raise! She also arranged multiple wonderful excursions including Dolphin sightseeing which was fun! The hotel is in a beautiful location with direct access to the coast, making it easy to enjoy the stunning coastline of Madeira. The surroundings are breathtaking, and the hotel's ambiance made my stay incredibly comforting and welcoming. In terms of value, Pestana Royal offers great quality for the price. A particular highlight for me was the Italian restaurant on-site, which provided a lovely treat during my stay. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect for a relaxing evening. Overall, my time at Pestana Royal was nothing short of fantastic. I felt well cared for and thoroughly enjoyed my stay. Highly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a memorable experience in Madeira!

Annika Millere

Overall, our experience was positive. The staff was kind, and we enjoyed the variety of food, especially the special dinners. However, there are some areas that could be improved. The indoor pool area was very noisy with many children, making it less relaxing. It would be better if the hotel had someone supervising guests to ensure they follow the rules—such as not jumping in the pool or walking into food areas in just swimsuits. This would help maintain a more respectful and comfortable environment for all guests. Additionally, the first-floor area became very slippery due to guests walking around dripping wet, which is a safety concern; we even saw a few people slip. Lastly, we overheard a manager speaking harshly to employees in front of guests, which seemed unprofessional

Darrick Idso

I’d rate our experience a 3.5 out of 5. There were aspects that were great and others that unfortunately missed the mark. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The dinners at the 3 restaurants on site offered a nice pre-set dining experience and we were pleasantly surprised all three nights. The buffet was fair. The drinks from the bar were pretty good and you have access to a self-service tap for beer and soda. That said, I too was a bit confused, as I’ve noted on multiple other reviews, with regard to the 5-star rating; I happen to agree with these reviews. I see the last renovation was in 2012 and wear and tear is definitely starting to become apparent. The nighttime entertainment was a little tacky and seemed targeted for older guests compared to targeting a wide range of guests. We were quite disappointed in the fitness center. Weights are weights, but for a 5-star experience I had expected much higher quality. Some of the machines were quite dated or broken; there were no cleaning wipes; men’s toilet was not working; it just felt very unkempt. Overall, our stay was mostly satisfactory. Would I stay here again? I’m not sure; if you’re looking for a more luxury/romantic 5-star experience, I would probably look elsewhere.

mark forster

This hotel is really welcoming and clean. They have food for all tastes in multiple restaurants, and the food is good quality and all fresh also constantly being replenished. The multiple bars have a large selection of drinks, and it's all good quality brands, not the usual all-inclusive cheap stuff. The hotel has 2 swimming pools and plenty of sunbeds and umbrellas. Also, a really nice spa with a large selection of paid treatments. The spa also has a salt water pool, hot tubs,sauna, and steam rooms all free to use for guests over the age of 16 years old. The rooms are nice and clean and well equipped they also all have balcony's with sea views. All the staff in all the departments are really helpful and can't seem to do enough to help you. Amazing hotel with amazing staff.

Lesia Khyzhniak

Enotel Lido was an amazing experience! The best part of our stay was the incredibly friendly and attentive staff, who went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect. The facilities were clean and comfortable, and the food was good. The only minor downside was the limited number of working elevators. However, this didn’t take away from the overall fantastic experience. I would definitely recommend this hotel ❤️

Valerie “Queenbee” Lewis

Advertised as a 5☆ Hotel, and indeed it is. Hotel room was kept spotlessly clean each day, restaurant had a variety of meals throughout the day, breakfast,lunch and evening. Meals and drinks also available on the 1st floor, throughout most of the day. A great swimming pool, sectioned for the younger children. Various entertainment during daytime and evening. We were lucky enough to celebrate 🍾 our Golden Anniversary, and can say we were spoilt.

Michael Skurka

The hotel is very old. The furniture as well as the whole style of the hotel does not meet 4stars criteria. Yet the personnel is fine and friendly and the restaurant serves good meals both for buffet breakfast and for dinner buffet as well. The spa with jacuzzi and sauna is nice. This hotel is rather a low-cost solution for those who prefer making trips.

Igor Doubrava

The rooms and furnishings at Monte Mar Palace are indeed dated, but for fans of retro style, this adds a certain charm. It’s clear that, back in its prime, significant investment went into high-quality materials and design, as much of the original equipment still works well. The spaciousness of the rooms and their excellent soundproofing are definite advantages, providing a comfortable and quiet retreat. However, the half-board dining experience falls short, particularly on an island famed for its fresh produce and exceptional flavors. Instant coffee, powdered juice, and lackluster eggs feel outdated and disappointing. Additionally, the presence of cockroaches in the hotel detracts from the overall experience. It's a shame, as the dedicated and welcoming staff do an excellent job, but they're unfortunately limited by management's choice of inferior ingredients.

Noah Noah

I recently stayed at Monte Mar Palace Hotel in Madeira and had a pleasant experience. The hotel is situated in a quiet and peaceful location, making it an ideal spot for relaxation. The rooms were clean and comfortable, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area. The facilities were adequate, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout my stay. While it may not have been a luxurious experience, it was a good, calm place to unwind. Overall, I would recommend Monte Mar Palace Hotel for those looking for a simple and serene getaway in Madeira. Four stars!

Kacper S.

Very big disappointment. So maybe pros first, will be faster: 1) Quiet surrounding, but there’s no hotel’s contribution in this 2) One kind blonde lady at the reception that was helpful and tried her best Now the true „fun” begins. Travel was with Itaka and reservation made by Itaka: 1) Was supposed to be a room with sea view. Real view: wall, tube, bushes and just some corner piece of sea (photo) 2) Very old rooms looking like they needed a renovation 10 years ago 3) Dust in ventilation system (photo) 4) Bug visitors (photo) 5) Low quality and tasteless food. At least near hotel there’s a very lovely bar/tavern. 6) Despite having dinners purchased hotel doesn’t serve anything to drink with dinner. Not even a damn glass of water, forcing guests to order them separately. As far as Madeira is a beautiful island and would love to visit it again, but definitely not in this hotel.

Robert Anscombe

Great hotel in a quiet town. Stunning viws was a blnus. So a lovely hotel, if not a little worn and tired, however, there are refurbishments going on. Lovely staff, too.