Funchal, Madeira - hotel or apt, and where to stay
Discussion
Every day a journey said:
Good luck.
It's probably completely booked up for New Year already.
Massively popular destination, if you look up Funchal New Years Eve and you'll see why.
Flights are stupid money too for then.
Sleazy Jet wanted £1300, without luggage for flights from Gatwick. TAP was £600 cheaper but non direct (which is fine as we're seeing family and friends in Lisbon)
Thanks for the info, we actually got a reasonable price for the hotel we’ve been to before but not checked flights yet. I suspect it may be a no go. Plan B is to drive to stay with relatives in Switzerland, it’ll be a lot cheaper but colder!It's probably completely booked up for New Year already.
Massively popular destination, if you look up Funchal New Years Eve and you'll see why.
Flights are stupid money too for then.
Sleazy Jet wanted £1300, without luggage for flights from Gatwick. TAP was £600 cheaper but non direct (which is fine as we're seeing family and friends in Lisbon)
My most recent stay in Funchal was at Hotel Caju. I quite liked it as it was central and modern and I wanted to avoid the area with all the big hotels next to each other. I'm cheap though and so there are definitely more expensive hotels. I parked at a public multi-storey carpark 5 minutes walk away that was cheap (€4.50/day) and easy to use. My Madeira trips are all about hiking so I always get a car and usually just get whichever is most reasonably priced from one of the big companies.
Edited by Matt.. on Monday 8th April 16:50
OP here - we have not long returned and thought I'd update this thread.
We stayed at the NEXT Savoy Signature in an Ocean view room and and highly recommend it (thanks for the recommendation here). Great location with restaurants and bars in either direction, and with great views and direct sea access.
It also had parking...hired a Peugeot 208 via Zest Car Rental in the UK (local provider was InsularCar). Airport meet and greet service, car was nearly new, a little 1.2 turbo'd triple and we covered 800km in our week. No silly arguing about scratches etc - their guy checked over the car with me on pickup and encouraged me to take photos and a video if I wanted - very refreshing.
The car really did make the trip and I'd highly recommend hiring one - I can see why some might find the single track roads, steep hills and twisty motorways and tunnels a challenge but I though it was a hoot - just reminded me of playing Mario Kart growing up
What an island - stunning!
We stayed at the NEXT Savoy Signature in an Ocean view room and and highly recommend it (thanks for the recommendation here). Great location with restaurants and bars in either direction, and with great views and direct sea access.
It also had parking...hired a Peugeot 208 via Zest Car Rental in the UK (local provider was InsularCar). Airport meet and greet service, car was nearly new, a little 1.2 turbo'd triple and we covered 800km in our week. No silly arguing about scratches etc - their guy checked over the car with me on pickup and encouraged me to take photos and a video if I wanted - very refreshing.
The car really did make the trip and I'd highly recommend hiring one - I can see why some might find the single track roads, steep hills and twisty motorways and tunnels a challenge but I though it was a hoot - just reminded me of playing Mario Kart growing up
What an island - stunning!
yellowbentines said:
OP here - we have not long returned and thought I'd update this thread.
We stayed at the NEXT Savoy Signature in an Ocean view room and and highly recommend it (thanks for the recommendation here). Great location with restaurants and bars in either direction, and with great views and direct sea access.
It also had parking...hired a Peugeot 208 via Zest Car Rental in the UK (local provider was InsularCar). Airport meet and greet service, car was nearly new, a little 1.2 turbo'd triple and we covered 800km in our week. No silly arguing about scratches etc - their guy checked over the car with me on pickup and encouraged me to take photos and a video if I wanted - very refreshing.
The car really did make the trip and I'd highly recommend hiring one - I can see why some might find the single track roads, steep hills and twisty motorways and tunnels a challenge but I though it was a hoot - just reminded me of playing Mario Kart growing up
What an island - stunning!
Awesome choice.We stayed at the NEXT Savoy Signature in an Ocean view room and and highly recommend it (thanks for the recommendation here). Great location with restaurants and bars in either direction, and with great views and direct sea access.
It also had parking...hired a Peugeot 208 via Zest Car Rental in the UK (local provider was InsularCar). Airport meet and greet service, car was nearly new, a little 1.2 turbo'd triple and we covered 800km in our week. No silly arguing about scratches etc - their guy checked over the car with me on pickup and encouraged me to take photos and a video if I wanted - very refreshing.
The car really did make the trip and I'd highly recommend hiring one - I can see why some might find the single track roads, steep hills and twisty motorways and tunnels a challenge but I though it was a hoot - just reminded me of playing Mario Kart growing up
What an island - stunning!
Glad you enjoyed the island!
just seen this.
hope you had a good time despite the poor weather.
hopefully the sewage smell that lingers outside of your hotel wasn't too bad... i have no idea why they don't sort this out. it has been like that for years.
I will be out there in a week or two for the Legends rally (keeping on Pistonheads-point). I have a house in Funchal and split my time 50/05 between there and the UK, so quite clearly i am in love with the island.
As has already been said, the roads are good fun and car hire is the best to see everything. I drive more km's in Maderia than in the UK now, so it doesn't phase me at all, although I use a Smartcar for nipping around Funchal (so you can easily 'park like a Madeiran' which means anywhere), a 4x4 crewcab pick up for heading to the mountains and an old classic Mercedes for cruising down to Paul do Mar on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
hope you had a good time despite the poor weather.
hopefully the sewage smell that lingers outside of your hotel wasn't too bad... i have no idea why they don't sort this out. it has been like that for years.
I will be out there in a week or two for the Legends rally (keeping on Pistonheads-point). I have a house in Funchal and split my time 50/05 between there and the UK, so quite clearly i am in love with the island.
As has already been said, the roads are good fun and car hire is the best to see everything. I drive more km's in Maderia than in the UK now, so it doesn't phase me at all, although I use a Smartcar for nipping around Funchal (so you can easily 'park like a Madeiran' which means anywhere), a 4x4 crewcab pick up for heading to the mountains and an old classic Mercedes for cruising down to Paul do Mar on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Edited by Before the music stops on Tuesday 5th November 13:41
Before the music stops said:
just seen this.
hope you had a good time despite the poor weather.
hopefully the sewage smell that lingers outside of your hotel wasn't too bad... i have no idea why they don't sort this out. it has been like that for years.
Poor weather? It was excellent other than a little patchy rain on the last couple of days, otherwise sunny and high 20s - this was 3rd to 10th October.hope you had a good time despite the poor weather.
hopefully the sewage smell that lingers outside of your hotel wasn't too bad... i have no idea why they don't sort this out. it has been like that for years.
The smell, yes, only if you were walking downhill from the hotel, but not noticeable anywhere in the grounds or by the pool
Adenauer said:
We're just planning Madeira for a week or so in June 2025 and have never been before.
Just us two olds, we don't need party time, just some nice restaurants, a nice sea view room, and a good base. We'll have a hire car.
Funchal or Sao Martinho, not sure which would be best?
I'd recommend where we and another PH-er stayed as above - Savoy NEXT (there's a few sister Savoy hotels/resorts all next to each other, all looked nice). Just us two olds, we don't need party time, just some nice restaurants, a nice sea view room, and a good base. We'll have a hire car.
Funchal or Sao Martinho, not sure which would be best?
Right on the seafront, and on the Eastern side of Sao Martinho so we wined and dined in that locale some nights, and also took a walk along the promenade into Funchal for dinner on a couple of occasions.
Whichever you choose, I'd personally make staying close to the seafront a priority as the further away you are the further uphill you are!
yellowbentines said:
I'd recommend where we and another PH-er stayed as above - Savoy NEXT (there's a few sister Savoy hotels/resorts all next to each other, all looked nice).
Right on the seafront, and on the Eastern side of Sao Martinho so we wined and dined in that locale some nights, and also took a walk along the promenade into Funchal for dinner on a couple of occasions.
Whichever you choose, I'd personally make staying close to the seafront a priority as the further away you are the further uphill you are!
But did you try any rum!!!!Right on the seafront, and on the Eastern side of Sao Martinho so we wined and dined in that locale some nights, and also took a walk along the promenade into Funchal for dinner on a couple of occasions.
Whichever you choose, I'd personally make staying close to the seafront a priority as the further away you are the further uphill you are!
yellowbentines said:
Adenauer said:
We're just planning Madeira for a week or so in June 2025 and have never been before.
Just us two olds, we don't need party time, just some nice restaurants, a nice sea view room, and a good base. We'll have a hire car.
Funchal or Sao Martinho, not sure which would be best?
I'd recommend where we and another PH-er stayed as above - Savoy NEXT (there's a few sister Savoy hotels/resorts all next to each other, all looked nice). Just us two olds, we don't need party time, just some nice restaurants, a nice sea view room, and a good base. We'll have a hire car.
Funchal or Sao Martinho, not sure which would be best?
Right on the seafront, and on the Eastern side of Sao Martinho so we wined and dined in that locale some nights, and also took a walk along the promenade into Funchal for dinner on a couple of occasions.
Whichever you choose, I'd personally make staying close to the seafront a priority as the further away you are the further uphill you are!
There's a funny noise around here, something about Rum or something, I'd just ignore it if I were you.
Adenauer said:
Okay, thanks, I'll have a look.
There's a funny noise around here, something about Rum or something, I'd just ignore it if I were you.
The rum I was referring to was the William Hinto 6 Anos. It's sublime.There's a funny noise around here, something about Rum or something, I'd just ignore it if I were you.
The Next was where we stayed immediately before and after our wedding there last year.
I did have a list somewhere of recommnded places (food, stuff to do ...all sorts) which I was supposed to post up here. Will have to have another look for it.
absolutely LOVE the Island.
This is very good timing.
I retire next March and thinking of a little holiday to celebrate and Madeira is pretty much top of the list.
Is it worth waiting until June time for the warmer weather?
We do like the sun and just chilling but will definitely do some sightseeing as well.
Also sea needs to be a decent temperature as prefer the beach to poolside.
Have looked at the Next at Savoy and prices seem pretty reasonable.
Better to get B&B and try local places in the evening or half/full board?
Thanks
I retire next March and thinking of a little holiday to celebrate and Madeira is pretty much top of the list.
Is it worth waiting until June time for the warmer weather?
We do like the sun and just chilling but will definitely do some sightseeing as well.
Also sea needs to be a decent temperature as prefer the beach to poolside.
Have looked at the Next at Savoy and prices seem pretty reasonable.
Better to get B&B and try local places in the evening or half/full board?
Thanks
GreatGranny said:
This is very good timing.
I retire next March and thinking of a little holiday to celebrate and Madeira is pretty much top of the list.
Is it worth waiting until June time for the warmer weather?
We do like the sun and just chilling but will definitely do some sightseeing as well.
Also sea needs to be a decent temperature as prefer the beach to poolside.
Have looked at the Next at Savoy and prices seem pretty reasonable.
Better to get B&B and try local places in the evening or half/full board?
Thanks
June will be warm for sure.The sea will be lovely.I retire next March and thinking of a little holiday to celebrate and Madeira is pretty much top of the list.
Is it worth waiting until June time for the warmer weather?
We do like the sun and just chilling but will definitely do some sightseeing as well.
Also sea needs to be a decent temperature as prefer the beach to poolside.
Have looked at the Next at Savoy and prices seem pretty reasonable.
Better to get B&B and try local places in the evening or half/full board?
Thanks
Next is a superb hotel. Lovely chilled out rooftop pool with bar (no kids) as well as a ground level saltwater pool and direct access to sea.
Very few hotels do all incl so B&B it.
Also, if you're planning on 10+ days on the island it's worth looking into a few days on Porto Santo. Nice ferry trip (2 hrs) or a 20 minute flight. Huge sandy beach, very very laid back and some nice hotels
Edited by Every day a journey on Tuesday 17th December 15:39
Water temperatures.
https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/portugal/fun...
I've swum and snorkelled in September. It's not like swimming in the Indian Ocean, feels a bit cold as you first enter, but it's fine once you're in.
https://www.seatemperature.org/europe/portugal/fun...
I've swum and snorkelled in September. It's not like swimming in the Indian Ocean, feels a bit cold as you first enter, but it's fine once you're in.
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