Funchal, Madeira - hotel or apt, and where to stay

[Every day a journey]

yellowbentines said:

BoomerPride said:

Take a look at the Castanheiro boutique hotel. There's both a rooftop and basement pool with great views of Funchal from the rooftop bar.

However Cliff Bay is also great, especially with a bay view room (specifically bay view, not sea view). There are plenty of restaurants around there and the buses into town are frequent and easy to use.

otolith said:

Have stayed in the Royal Savoy a couple of times - I found the town easily walkable from there, but I guess it depends on the individual.

Thanks, none of these available on my dates - start of October seems quite busy with a few hotels showing no availability for some of our week.

Think we have decided on the Next by Savoy Signature, ticks lots of boxes and the above review and photo seals the deal

Now to look at car hire, anyone used Zest, and specifically hired through the loan firms Insularcar or Rodavante? Both seem to get good reviews amongst a sea of firms that look to shaft you on insurances and made-up damage claims on return a the end of your hire!

Edited by yellowbentines on Monday 25th March 13:25

There's a public holiday first week of October and is always busy. The last couple of years there's also been some sort of massive 'health and wellbeing' event over the week that's based in Santa Catarina park which adds to the room demand.

[WrekinCrew]

For the hiking, you obviously can't do circular levada walks so unless you're happy retracing your steps you'll either need to start and finish on a bus route, arrange a taxi, or use one of the many walker's minibus services to get you to between where you parked and the far end of the walk.

Levada walks are fabulous.

[blueg33]

BoomerPride said:

I used Europcar. I thought they were very competitive and I was given a very new Renault Captur.

However, I think they only have one place up by Cliff Bay hotel.

They do have the one place (maybe one at the airport, i can't recall)

Pre-book hire though, i hired from Europcar as a walk up on the day and a poxy Seat Ibiza was £270 per day which is more or less what I paid for the rest of the week on the car booked in advance (also a new Captur)

[blueg33]

MaxFromage said:

Make sure you go for something with a bit of power, as the hills are brutal.

In the little Seat Ibiza with 2 adults and 2 17 year old girls, we only made it 500 metres up one hill in the mountains before it came to a halt and would not go forwards!

Eventually made it by taking a run up! Wife and girls were having kittens

[yellowbentines]

I am getting quoted £245 for the 7 days for a Peugeot 208 or similar which should be fine for 2 of us (combined weight maybe 22st so should hopefully handle hills!) via Zest including all insurance, zero excess, collision damage etc with Rodavante as the supplier.

Almost seems too cheap but I've done a bit of research and all seems legit and well reviewed.

[55palfers]

GWC said:

We have been to Funchal a few times and really like it there, we usually stay at The Cliff Bay hotel and it has always been fantastic.

Another vote for Cliff Bay. Great position, excellent food.
Reasonable walk to downtown Funchal - downhill all the way but a heluva climb back. Get a cab!

[gregch]

Quinta da Casa Branca, Or Reid's, if the budget runs to it?

As to driving/car hire, personally I'd just get a cab places as needed.

[yellowbentines]

We'll definitely need a car - I don't fancy trying to get a cab do do the sunrise hike at Pico Do Arieiro/Pico Ruivo, or pick us up afterwards - maybe I underestimate how small the Island is or how cheap/available cabs are. Either way I think a rental car will suit our desire to explore the Island at our own will a little better. That and the fact that it looks like the twisty narrow roads look like a fun place to be a driver, and perhaps a terrifying place to be a taxi passenger

That also means we will be out and about a lot of the time so have set a limit as to what I'm prepared to spend on a hotel, and as lovely as Reid's Palace looks, £4500 for the week for their smallest sea view room is beyond that. Perhaps we'll swing by for a drink, if they let riff-raff non-residents in through the gates

[Every day a journey]

Another top tip (nothing to do with where to stay mind!) if you like rum Madeiran rum is SUPERB! Saying that, even if you don’t like normal rum give it a try anyway….you’ll like it I’m sure!

As you’re hiring a car take a trip west to the William Hinton rum distillery (then stop off in Calheta for late lunch on way back). In particular try this one….it is heavenly!



Don’t wait til the airport to buy it in Duty Free as it was €140 a bottle when we came back recently. Fortunately with ‘family connections’ I pay nothing like that price, not even a third of that tbh, but you should be able to get it for around €70.

You’ll thank me later

Wasn’t a huge fan of the Chardonnay cask aged one but what they have available varies.

Each cask is limited to 274/6 bottles and ages for six years.

The trouble is…..it’s TOOOOOO good!

[yellowbentines]

Every day a journey said:

Another top tip (nothing to do with where to stay mind!) if you like rum Madeiran rum is SUPERB! Saying that, even if you don’t like normal rum give it a try anyway….you’ll like it I’m sure!

As you’re hiring a car take a trip west to the William Hinton rum distillery (then stop off in Calheta for late lunch on way back). In particular try this one….it is heavenly!

Happy to take recommendations, advice and suggestions on anything really!

We both love rum, especially dark rum, so we will definitely check that out. We are actually just back from Porto and disappointed as we couldn't take to Port no matter how much we persevered, maybe we'll have better luck with the rum in Madeira!

[GWC]

yellowbentines said:

We'll definitely need a car - I don't fancy trying to get a cab do do the sunrise hike at Pico Do Arieiro/Pico Ruivo, or pick us up afterwards - maybe I underestimate how small the Island is or how cheap/available cabs are. Either way I think a rental car will suit our desire to explore the Island at our own will a little better. That and the fact that it looks like the twisty narrow roads look like a fun place to be a driver, and perhaps a terrifying place to be a taxi passenger

That also means we will be out and about a lot of the time so have set a limit as to what I'm prepared to spend on a hotel, and as lovely as Reid's Palace looks, £4500 for the week for their smallest sea view room is beyond that. Perhaps we'll swing by for a drink, if they let riff-raff non-residents in through the gates

I did the Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, it's incredible, I did it as an organised day with a local firm, they pick up from various points in Funchal, take you up and do the hike guided, then pick you up the other side to drop you back, cost about 38 Euro per person. It is not for the faint hearted or unfit but one of the best walks I've ever done.

Reid's will let you in, go in the late afternoon for a cocktail on the terraced balcony and enjoy the view.

[Every day a journey]

yellowbentines said:

Happy to take recommendations, advice and suggestions on anything really!

We both love rum, especially dark rum, so we will definitely check that out. We are actually just back from Porto and disappointed as we couldn't take to Port no matter how much we persevered, maybe we'll have better luck with the rum in Madeira!

I’ll find my list of recommendations that I’ve passed on to friends, recommendations from Madeirense, and send it to you if you want.

Looking forward to being there for Christmas and New Year with the family (all 60 or so of them!) this year.

The recommendations are sound, her godfather/uncle worked supplying the hospitality industry his whole career so he knows a few places! 🤣

[Every day a journey]

GWC said:

Reid's will let you in, go in the late afternoon for a cocktail on the terraced balcony and enjoy the view.

Add to that, the Afternoon Tea at Reid’s puts the Ritz to shame.

[BoomerPride]

Every day a journey said:

Reid's will let you in, go in the late afternoon for a cocktail on the terraced balcony and enjoy the view.

Pahh!! They didn't let us in. Stuffy receptionist. So we went to Cliff Bay instead and had a lovely time. We've since stayed at Cliff Bay twice.

Edited by BoomerPride on Monday 25th March 21:59

[nw942]

GWC said:

yellowbentines said:

We'll definitely need a car - I don't fancy trying to get a cab do do the sunrise hike at Pico Do Arieiro/Pico Ruivo, or pick us up afterwards - maybe I underestimate how small the Island is or how cheap/available cabs are. Either way I think a rental car will suit our desire to explore the Island at our own will a little better. That and the fact that it looks like the twisty narrow roads look like a fun place to be a driver, and perhaps a terrifying place to be a taxi passenger

That also means we will be out and about a lot of the time so have set a limit as to what I'm prepared to spend on a hotel, and as lovely as Reid's Palace looks, £4500 for the week for their smallest sea view room is beyond that. Perhaps we'll swing by for a drink, if they let riff-raff non-residents in through the gates

I did the Pico Do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo hike, it's incredible, I did it as an organised day with a local firm, they pick up from various points in Funchal, take you up and do the hike guided, then pick you up the other side to drop you back, cost about 38 Euro per person. It is not for the faint hearted or unfit but one of the best walks I've ever done.

Reid's will let you in, go in the late afternoon for a cocktail on the terraced balcony and enjoy the view.

We did the same and organised private trips with local providers - sunrise at Pico Ruivo, West Island Tour etc. It took all of the hassle away, particularly when visiting the tourist hotspots as you don't have to find a parking space.

The area around the Next hotel is a sensible walking distance from the centre and the marina, and there are plenty of places to eat around there, plus Spar, bank and car rental close by on Avenue do Infante.

[Nyloc20]

We’re not in the Cliff Bay or Savoy league but we had a great time last October at Pestana Promenade. We don’t usually choose big hotels but it was recommended by good friends and we got an excellent deal. Nice big warm pool, friendly staff and good food. We didn’t take the evening meal option but there was a great offer going so we ate in a few times and elsewhere for the rest. There are lots of good value restaurants and cafes.
Cheap taxis, plenty of buses and stuff to see. It was our first time last year, we’ll definitely go again.

[yellowbentines]

Every day a journey said:

I’ll find my list of recommendations that I’ve passed on to friends, recommendations from Madeirense, and send it to you if you want.

That's a very kind offer and would be very much appreciated! You should be able to PM me on here if you don't want to post the full thing up.

[Nyloc20]

Just to save starting a new thread, the continuing wait for my knee op means we daren’t risk a late summer or early Autumn booking now. Looking ahead optimistically we’re thinking of going for New Year, presumably it’ll be business as usual with all the venues, attractions and trips open?

[The Leaper]

Nyloc20 said:

Just to save starting a new thread, the continuing wait for my knee op means we daren’t risk a late summer or early Autumn booking now. Looking ahead optimistically we’re thinking of going for New Year, presumably it’ll be business as usual with all the venues, attractions and trips open?

I have a total knee replacement op scheduled for 9 May and we are booked for Madeira for a week starting 16 September. Based on my experience last year with the same op, other knee, I should be OK.

R.

[Every day a journey]

Nyloc20 said:

Just to save starting a new thread, the continuing wait for my knee op means we daren’t risk a late summer or early Autumn booking now. Looking ahead optimistically we’re thinking of going for New Year, presumably it’ll be business as usual with all the venues, attractions and trips open?

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)