Rua Imperatriz Dona Amelia 85 87, Funchal, Portugal
Beautiful grounds with lush gardens and seating groves
Close to many old town attractions, as well as restaurants and bars
Comfy, spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning
Rooms have furnished balconies, some with excellent sea views
Heated outdoor pool with loungers and wrought-iron dining sets
Adjacent sister property offers direct access to the sea and another pool
Restaurant with an outdoor terrace serving local and international cuisine
Joe's Bar is a pub-style spot with billiards and darts
Free Wi-Fi and private parking
Some rooms have dated furnishings
No gym or spa facilities
Not much for kids to do on-site
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.
Scene
Mix of old-fashioned and modern design, and situated among lush gardens
The family-run hotel occupies an old traditional home amid lush grounds, plus a more modern annex. It also is connected via footbridge to sister hotel Hotel Quinta da Penha de Franca Mar, and guests can use the pool over there. Decor in the lobby is traditional and mimics the styling of an actual home, with antique accents and ample overstuffed furniture arranged in intimate clusters around a central hearth and coffee tables. The grounds are immaculate, with meandering walkways, native plants, and tucked-away places to sit, as well as plenty of loungers to catch the sun from in the yard. The property's quaint and quiet atmosphere is far more suited to adult guests than families; guests seeking a child-friendly stay should consider the Vidamar Resort Madeira, which has facilities for kids and a spa for the grownups.
Location
Excellent setting near the sea, plus near the culture and dining of Funchal's old town
The hotel has an excellent setting for exploring Funchal, though travelers should keep in mind that like most properties in the area, steep hills and streets abound. It's a 10-minute walk from the island's marina, a 15-minute walk to the cable cars from which visitors can go up to Monte, and a 15-minute walk to the center of Funchal's old town (the walk back is quite steep). The street the hotel is located on, as well as surrounding ones, offer plenty of variety for dinner and drinks, and establishments can be found along the marina.
The natural history museum is 12 minutes away on foot, and the museum of sacred art is 13 minutes by direct bus. For those who are more sports-minded, the Museu Cristiano Ronaldo is a 15-minute walk away. The hotel is located a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport and on-site private parking is free.
Rooms
Rooms vary in modernization, but all are spacious and comfy
Depending on whether guests are booked into the main home or the annex, rooms are either dated or more modern. Some old-fashioned rooms, for example, have red carpeting, colorful floral curtains, and mismatched orange coverlets. The up-to-date rooms in the annex have a more contemporary -- and beachy -- design featuring a brown, blue, and white color scheme in the wood floors, white wooden furniture, striped accent wallpaper, and floral bed linens. All, however, are spacious and comfortable, equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars, and air-conditioning. Also standard are work desks and sitting areas. Bathrooms have double sinks, shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Those with sea views have partitioned balconies with views of the grounds, pool, and sea; although the garden-view rooms have individual balconies, the outlooks from the sea view rooms are worth the upgrade.
Features
Heated outdoor pool and a restaurant, but no gym and spa
The Quinta Da Penha De Franca has limited on-site amenities, particularly for kids. There is a lovely heated outdoor pool set among the garden, with loungers and towels available. Guests can also walk across the footbridge to the sister property for use of its pool and direct access to the sea. There's an on-site restaurant open all day, serving both local and international cuisine inside or on an outdoor terrace. Food receives so-so reviews. Also available is a pub-style establishment offering cocktails, as well as pool tables and darts. There is no gym or spa, although guests can arrange a massage through the hotel. Wi-Fi is free throughout.