Funchal Hotel Reviews

The main town (Madeira's capital) “Funchal” is 5 euros in a cab,2 euros by bus,or free courtesy bus service running at varying times to and from our hotel.Slightly livelier BUT by 11:40pm the bars down by the 'front' (the marina) have NO SHAME in clearing up and shutting up shop around you even if you are half way through your drink – no exceptions! Even McDonalds is open later !!!

There is 1 tiny little market down by the cable cars in Funchal, every second stall has the same products as the other,approx 12 stalls,not worth it.

There is a main supermarket about a 10 minute walk from The Residence. You can get to it two ways. Outside reception, turn left past the park and then walk through the car park. The other way u can go is to walk through the Porto Mare hotel which leads to the Eden Mar hotel – through reception and turn right down the stairs in to the small shopping centre. There is a pharmacy a 10 min walk away. The quickest way to get there is turn right out of Residence reception and up the steep hill and turn right past the cab rank.

The organised trips – we went on 4........ VERY VERY good! The Thomson tour guide was BRILLIANT! It was so interesting to hear facts about the people and the country. Highly recommend the following: 'FLAVOURS OF FUNCHAL' (included in this is wine tasting,cable car,tobogan ride,visit to lace factory etc), 'EAST TOUR' (absolutely brilliant – don't wanna give too much away but you go 6000ft up a mountain, go to a lovely restaurant for 3 course meal,go on a lovely walk through forest to see amazing views........and more).

Clothing – Madeira is a VERY hilly mountainous place and PLEASE take this literally! There are slopes and hills to get to shops to restaurants to everywhere! Take comfy walking shoes, and most importantly TAKE A JUMPER to all of the trips that go up high in coach – the temperature drops BIGTIME!

The island is COVERED in christmas lights and a few of these were turned on on our last night down in Funchal – they are spectacular – the official switch on is Dec 6th – gutted to have missed it. Madeira is in the Guinness Book Of Records for their New Years fireworks display – from what we heard its stunning!

It's a very quiet hoteland (to my relief but maybe NOT to yours) there's no happy clappy-ness around the pool or loudness........ everyone keeps themselves to themselves and its all very quiet and restrained. Just old people reading books...... which is fine.

Mainly middle aged/ elderly visitors so no problems with loud music etc. No pressure to be dragged into restaurants. Thre are timeshare touts but they do not bother the elderly. Excellent walks along the levadas etc but one has to get to and from them by bus or taxi.

Whilst there we discovered the common nickname for the island was newlyweds and nearly deads. I'd say that was very appropriate. Nothing to do for families at night or evening except eat and day time was no better. Taxi got more expensive each time we used one and we were regularly pestered by beggers. The most memorable was a young boy around 11/12 yrs old who was obviously under the influence of something who became threatning when you refused to give hime more money and grabbed my sone after trying to steal from his pockets!

To the left of the hotel is Paradise, best beer in the area and good food. As a group aged 5-50 we all had a good holiday. The weather was sunny every day, lido was good fun but avoid at weekends as its very busy.

Funchal very similar to a lot of capital citys, but a lot smaller.Nice harbour area and some excellent restaurants between the hotel & the pestana carlton. Cable car is a must, only if your not nervous of hights.