The Suite Hotel Eden Mar in Porto Bay isn’t Funchal’s most exciting property, but its no-fuss approach seems to be one of the reasons it’s so popular with repeat guests. For a three-pearl, mid-size hotel (146 rooms), there’s a good choice of facilities, and the beautiful hillside gardens are a highlight. Plus, as part of the Vila Porto Mare resort, guests also have access to facilities including a spa and tennis courts at two sister hotels. The relaxed vibe and quieter setting away from the city center appeal to young families and more mature guests. Rooms have at least partial sea views and amenities like air-conditioning and a kitchenette, but lack character. It’s worth comparing rates at the Pestana Carlton Madeira, which has similar features and is closer to the center.
The Suite Hotel Eden Mar in Porto Bay isn’t Funchal’s most exciting property, but its no-fuss approach seems to be one of the reasons it’s so popular with repeat guests. For a three-pearl, mid-size hotel (146 rooms), there’s a good choice of facilities, and the beautiful hillside gardens are a highlight. Plus, as part of the Vila Porto Mare resort, guests also have access to facilities including a spa and tennis courts at two sister hotels. The relaxed vibe and quieter setting away from the city center appeal to young families and more mature guests. Rooms have at least partial sea views and amenities like air-conditioning and a kitchenette, but lack character. It’s worth comparing rates at the Pestana Carlton Madeira, which has similar features and is closer to the center.
The four-pearl Quinta Mirabela is located relatively far inland, a 30-minute walk away from Funchal's center, but this means views overlooking the city and sea are breathtaking. At just 24 rooms, the hotel's small size ensures a quiet retreat for guests, who are primarily couples. The modern rooms have a sleek black-and-yellow color scheme and marble bathrooms, plus some have furnished balconies. All rooms, however, have lovely views, which can also be found at the pool and the panoramic rooftop terrace. A comprehensive spa and on-site restaurant serving local cuisine round out the features. As there's little to occupy children, families should consider the four-pearl Vidamar Resort Madeira, which has a kid's club and sports facilities.
The four-pearl Quinta Mirabela is located relatively far inland, a 30-minute walk away from Funchal's center, but this means views overlooking the city and sea are breathtaking. At just 24 rooms, the hotel's small size ensures a quiet retreat for guests, who are primarily couples. The modern rooms have a sleek black-and-yellow color scheme and marble bathrooms, plus some have furnished balconies. All rooms, however, have lovely views, which can also be found at the pool and the panoramic rooftop terrace. A comprehensive spa and on-site restaurant serving local cuisine round out the features. As there's little to occupy children, families should consider the four-pearl Vidamar Resort Madeira, which has a kid's club and sports facilities.
Set in a manor dating back to 1834, the three-pearl Hotel Quinta Bela São Tiago is located in a quiet part of Funchal just a five-minute walk from the city’s historic center. The hotel has a pool terrace with stunning views over Funchal’s bay, although the pool is unheated, and similar views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in its restaurant that serves regional and international fare. A beautiful garden is lush with mature greenery and flowers in various riotous colors, while a small spa offers a sauna, massage treatments, and small gym. The 64 rooms either overlook the garden or bay, but they're quite dated and guests have complained about the remote controls needed for various amenities. Travelers looking for a more modern stay might want to check out the Vidamar Resort Madeira.
Set in a manor dating back to 1834, the three-pearl Hotel Quinta Bela São Tiago is located in a quiet part of Funchal just a five-minute walk from the city’s historic center. The hotel has a pool terrace with stunning views over Funchal’s bay, although the pool is unheated, and similar views from the floor-to-ceiling windows in its restaurant that serves regional and international fare. A beautiful garden is lush with mature greenery and flowers in various riotous colors, while a small spa offers a sauna, massage treatments, and small gym. The 64 rooms either overlook the garden or bay, but they're quite dated and guests have complained about the remote controls needed for various amenities. Travelers looking for a more modern stay might want to check out the Vidamar Resort Madeira.
The 52-room, three-pearl Hotel Madeira is a quaint, affordable property located on a quiet side street of Funchal's Old Town. While it is decidedly mid-range in terms of rooms and amenities, the rooftop pool -- with gorgeous views of Funchal and an adjacent bar -- and on-site massage services give it extra value. The rooms are charming and modern, equipped with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, but some lack mini-fridges and are small. There's no full restaurant, but a well-reviewed and plentiful buffet breakfast is served. This is an excellent pick for couples, but families should check out the Pestana Carlton Madeira, which has more kid-friendly facilities.
The 52-room, three-pearl Hotel Madeira is a quaint, affordable property located on a quiet side street of Funchal's Old Town. While it is decidedly mid-range in terms of rooms and amenities, the rooftop pool -- with gorgeous views of Funchal and an adjacent bar -- and on-site massage services give it extra value. The rooms are charming and modern, equipped with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, but some lack mini-fridges and are small. There's no full restaurant, but a well-reviewed and plentiful buffet breakfast is served. This is an excellent pick for couples, but families should check out the Pestana Carlton Madeira, which has more kid-friendly facilities.
The Raga is a pleasant mid-range hotel that gets the basics right: a decent-size pool, cafe-style pool bar, two restaurants, and a good Lido neighborhood location with a sea view (over the rooftops). Its 170 simple rooms all have a balcony with hillside or sea views, plus air-conditioning, free (sometimes spotty) Wi-Fi, and small TVs. The price can be a real bargain; however, it’s not the best quality hotel in the area by any stretch and is set up a steep hillside off a main road. Interiors are bland and plain, bordering on dated in spots. For travelers looking for sharper modern style, The Vine is an upscale contemporary hotel that’s closer to Funchal's historic center -- but rates will be higher.
The Raga is a pleasant mid-range hotel that gets the basics right: a decent-size pool, cafe-style pool bar, two restaurants, and a good Lido neighborhood location with a sea view (over the rooftops). Its 170 simple rooms all have a balcony with hillside or sea views, plus air-conditioning, free (sometimes spotty) Wi-Fi, and small TVs. The price can be a real bargain; however, it’s not the best quality hotel in the area by any stretch and is set up a steep hillside off a main road. Interiors are bland and plain, bordering on dated in spots. For travelers looking for sharper modern style, The Vine is an upscale contemporary hotel that’s closer to Funchal's historic center -- but rates will be higher.
The four-pearl, 49-room Quinta da Casa Branca is a stand-out property in Funchal, located in a quiet residential area about a 15-minute walk from the promenade. The boutique hotel's grounds are filled with lush gardens, an outdoor pool, and places to lounge, plus there are a spa, gym, and two dining spots. While the architecture is modern and sleek, room interiors are more traditionally styled with floral patterns and wood paneling. They do all come with flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, plus suites have living areas and jetted tubs. While the seclusion and relaxing atmosphere are a large drawcard, those preferring a more stylish property might prefer The Vine, located a five-minute walk from Funchal's old town.
The four-pearl, 49-room Quinta da Casa Branca is a stand-out property in Funchal, located in a quiet residential area about a 15-minute walk from the promenade. The boutique hotel's grounds are filled with lush gardens, an outdoor pool, and places to lounge, plus there are a spa, gym, and two dining spots. While the architecture is modern and sleek, room interiors are more traditionally styled with floral patterns and wood paneling. They do all come with flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and minibars, plus suites have living areas and jetted tubs. While the seclusion and relaxing atmosphere are a large drawcard, those preferring a more stylish property might prefer The Vine, located a five-minute walk from Funchal's old town.
The 112-room, three-and-a-half-pearl Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel is one of Funchal's newer properties, with modern and colorful interiors overlooking the Atlantic. While it's a good 10-minute drive into the historic center, there's direct access from the hotel to a lovely coastal promenade. Rooms are spacious and bright, with balconies or terraces and at least partial sea views, though some guests gripe about the lack of coffee/tea facilities. An included breakfast buffet is served at one of the hotel's two restaurants, and a bar hosts live music.The huge pool area has an infinity edge and floating armchairs -- it's a major highlight. Families with little ones might be better at The Cliff Bay hotel, which has a playground and playroom, and is also nearer the city center.
The 112-room, three-and-a-half-pearl Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel is one of Funchal's newer properties, with modern and colorful interiors overlooking the Atlantic. While it's a good 10-minute drive into the historic center, there's direct access from the hotel to a lovely coastal promenade. Rooms are spacious and bright, with balconies or terraces and at least partial sea views, though some guests gripe about the lack of coffee/tea facilities. An included breakfast buffet is served at one of the hotel's two restaurants, and a bar hosts live music.The huge pool area has an infinity edge and floating armchairs -- it's a major highlight. Families with little ones might be better at The Cliff Bay hotel, which has a playground and playroom, and is also nearer the city center.
Hotel Baia Azul is a four-pearl property located a 10-minute walk outside the center of Funchal. While the hotel has always had a fabulous, walkable waterside location directly on the promenade, it didn't reach its full potential until undergoing a complete makeover and reopening in 2016. Now, the 218-room resort is a gorgeous, bright property with top style to boot. Expect spacious and modern rooms with mini-fridges, kettles, glass showers, and balconies with views. Features include an indoor and outdoor pool, small gym, restaurant with good breakfast buffet and terrace seating, well-priced bar, and spa options, but be prepared to pay extra for the safe inside your room and fresh towels. The beachfront here is pebbled, so if you are looking for sand, check out the nearby Golden Residence Apartment Hotel in the same price point.
Hotel Baia Azul is a four-pearl property located a 10-minute walk outside the center of Funchal. While the hotel has always had a fabulous, walkable waterside location directly on the promenade, it didn't reach its full potential until undergoing a complete makeover and reopening in 2016. Now, the 218-room resort is a gorgeous, bright property with top style to boot. Expect spacious and modern rooms with mini-fridges, kettles, glass showers, and balconies with views. Features include an indoor and outdoor pool, small gym, restaurant with good breakfast buffet and terrace seating, well-priced bar, and spa options, but be prepared to pay extra for the safe inside your room and fresh towels. The beachfront here is pebbled, so if you are looking for sand, check out the nearby Golden Residence Apartment Hotel in the same price point.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel do Carmo is a stylish boutique property with a central Funchal location. Mid-century modern furniture and vintage details -- much of it authentic -- can be found here, although its 80 minimalist guest rooms don't have the same ambiance. They're small, and are missing considerable amenities, like AC, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and toiletries, but they do have flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with deep tubs, and more than half have balconies. The hotel's standout feature is a rooftop pool with panoramic ocean views, an attractive restaurant that offers free breakfast, and a lobby bar with a handsome billiards table. However, the hotel lacks a gym. For a more modern alternative in the heart of town, check out Hotel Madeira.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Hotel do Carmo is a stylish boutique property with a central Funchal location. Mid-century modern furniture and vintage details -- much of it authentic -- can be found here, although its 80 minimalist guest rooms don't have the same ambiance. They're small, and are missing considerable amenities, like AC, mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and toiletries, but they do have flat-screen TVs, bathrooms with deep tubs, and more than half have balconies. The hotel's standout feature is a rooftop pool with panoramic ocean views, an attractive restaurant that offers free breakfast, and a lobby bar with a handsome billiards table. However, the hotel lacks a gym. For a more modern alternative in the heart of town, check out Hotel Madeira.
The mid-range, 109-room Quinta Da Penha De Franca is housed in an old traditional house and expanded with a more modern annex, set among tropical gardens and with views of the sea. Spacious rooms -- some of which are dated -- come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and sitting areas, plus some have sea-view balconies. The immediate streets offer plenty of dining, and brief walks take visitors to Funchal's old town marina, cultural landmarks, and tourist attractions. On-site amenities, however, are limited to a pool with lots of loungers, restaurant with adjacent bar, and pathway to the hotel's sister property for direct access to the sea. Travelers may prefer Four Views Baia, which has more modern rooms, plus spa and fitness facilities.
The mid-range, 109-room Quinta Da Penha De Franca is housed in an old traditional house and expanded with a more modern annex, set among tropical gardens and with views of the sea. Spacious rooms -- some of which are dated -- come with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and sitting areas, plus some have sea-view balconies. The immediate streets offer plenty of dining, and brief walks take visitors to Funchal's old town marina, cultural landmarks, and tourist attractions. On-site amenities, however, are limited to a pool with lots of loungers, restaurant with adjacent bar, and pathway to the hotel's sister property for direct access to the sea. Travelers may prefer Four Views Baia, which has more modern rooms, plus spa and fitness facilities.