Estrada Monumental 316, Funchal, Portugal
Central location on Lido Promenade, near ample restaurants
Clean, spacious rooms with mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, and safes
Colorful and contemporary apartment-style units with kitchenettes
Rooms have furnished balconies, many with excellent sea views
Free shuttle runs to and from Funchal four times a day
Outdoor pool, a wading pool for kids, and heated indoor pool
Two restaurants, indoor bar, and poolside bar
Nearby supermarket convenient for self-catering guests
On-site squash court, ping-pong table, and sauna
Free parking
Some dated rooms and public areas
Few children-friendly features
Wi-Fi requires a fee
Fee to use sauna and jetted tub
Small gym has worn equipment in windowless room
Hotel Alto Lido is a three-pearl property located on the main strip with plenty of restaurants in the immediate area. The 311 rooms are split between dated rooms with patterned carpet and old-fashioned wood furniture, and more contemporary and attractive apartment-style units. All, however, have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and furnished outdoor spaces -- some with sea views. Much-needed renovations are scheduled for the end of 2017, but in the meantime, decent features include a main outdoor pool, heated indoor pool, squash court, and a sauna (fee). There are two restaurants and two bars on-site, and guests report the food quality as average. Couples may prefer the adult-only Madeira Regency Cliff, which has better views, modern rooms, and a spa.
Scene
Older vacationers will enjoy this property that's good value for money
Popular with older couples, this three-pearl hotel is located along the main tourist strip and a 10-minute ride on the free shuttle to town. The hotel is largely dated, especially the standard-type rooms and public spaces. The marble-floored lobby is done in old-fashioned, worn light-yellow and blue country-style sofas, plus a few blue-potted plants. Hallways have wicker chairs with patterned cushions facing windows that overlook the sea. The Baia Azul Restaurant has a more appealing design of trompe l'oeil wallpaper, a wooden horse sculpture, and simple wood furniture. Many furnishings and structures are showing their age, though the hotel claims refurbishments are planned for the end of 2017.
Location
Located centrally on the main strip of the island
The Hotel Alto Lido is well situated on the main strip of the tourist area, a five-minute walk from the seaside. The area is quite hilly, so the 30-minute walk into Funchal town can be a bit difficult, though the hotel offers a free shuttle four times a day. There are also ample restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity. Madeira Airport is a 25-minute drive away.
Rooms
Spacious and clean rooms, some of which are dated
The standard-type rooms are dated and in need of a refresh, outfitted with patterned green carpet, old-fashioned wood furniture, and coral-colored linens. They are, however, spacious and clean, as well as equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and safes. Rooms have furnished balconies, some with lovely views of the sea. The apartment-style rooms are more contemporary and attractive, featuring wood floors, blonde-wood furniture, and pops of bright-pink and olive-green in the walls, linens, and artwork. These come with well-stocked kitchenettes, dining tables, and living areas with sofas. Bathrooms appear aging across the board, and they come with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. In-room Wi-Fi requires a fee.
Features
A few quality features, though many in need of refurbishment
Hotel features are standard for a resort town and vary in quality and datedness. The outdoor pool is pleasant and it has an adjacent small pool for kids. Worn loungers and a smattering of umbrellas are available. There's also an indoor pool housed in an atrium, though it gets little sunlight and the tiling appears dirty. The gym is windowless and has only a few basic pieces of equipment, and there are also a squash court and ping-pong table. A sauna and jetted tub are available for a fee. Two restaurants are available, as well as an indoor bar with occasional live music. One section of the pool bar features lovely blue tile and a tented roof, while another section with a pool table is a bit rough around the edges. There's also an on-site gift shop for tourists looking to bring a bit of Madeira home.