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

[yellowbentines]

We are off to Madeira at the start of October for 1 week and plan on exploring the Island, doing some hiking, and eating and drinking out.

Hiring a car, and from reading forum chat planning on going through Zest and hiring from either Rodavante or Insularcar - any good or back feedback on that welcomed.

But, where to stay in Funchal? Do we need to be close to the Old Town or seafront to get a choice of restaurants?

We have seen some lovely hotels that seem to be further West in Sao Martinho - they appear to be more modern, bigger resort type hotels that offer a variety of pools, gardens, parking - but are they too far out for those nights you just want to eat local? Is there enough of a selection of restaurants and bars right along the seafront?

We have also seen some lovely apartments in the areas slightly North of the Old Town and seafront, some have pools, benefit of a kitchen to prep stuff for days away, and within walking distance of Old Town/City Centre area, but not as relaxing as staying at a resort type hotel for days when you want to laze about, and have heard it can be hard to park.

In short - have narrowed down our accommodation to around 200 options and can't choose from there!

[yellowbentines]

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.

Looks lovely, though unavailable on our dates - but looks like it's maybe 35-40 mins walk from Old Town/Centre area in Sao Martinho which brings me back around to whether there is enough 'going on' around that area in terms of restaurants, bars, cafes, for when you don't want to drive?

Having never visited Funchal it's where to base ourselves that's the quandary as there appears to be good options for accommodation everywhere.

[yellowbentines]

My good lady would really like a pool for after the days where we will hike, so it's either a hotel or an apt with a pool which seem to be situated 15 mins walk from the Old Town area which is fine.

A 40 min walk isn't ideal every night for food if there isn't really much going on out West in Sao Martinho other than hotel restaurants themselves (which we don't mind for an odd night).

[yellowbentines]

Every day a journey said:

If you stay in Sao Martino the buses are really regular into the centre, cheap and a quick alternative to taxis (which are expensive in Funchal I have to say)

There are a lot of restaurants in that area but they're very much tourist centric.

For our wedding we stayed at the Next (Savoy Signature) hotel (which is superb for the price) just up west of the Port. There are loads of hotels around that spot including Savoy Palace, Pestana (x3 incl Casino Park and the CR7), Carlton etc.

It's about a 15-20 minute walk along the waterfront to the Zona Vehla (old town)

Thanks - the Next Savoy Signature is a hotel on our shortlist and a 15/20 min walk is fine weather permitting!

[yellowbentines]

Dblue said:

....
You dont need to be in the old town to find good restaurants and bars.

Really helpful, thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear.

[yellowbentines]

Every day a journey said:

We've stayed in a few hotels in Funchal, as much as I love staying with Jo's family it's nice to get some 'us time' while there! The Next really exceeded our expectaions. Some of our guests stayed there too for the wedding and were seriously impressed with it.

The roof pool and bar is a very lovely chilled place to hang out (no kids allowed up there).

The main pool is a really nice saltwater pool accessed via the footbridge over the road. good bar and restaurant with it.

We stayed in room 701 which is sea facing and on the corner so you have a private roof terrace anas well as the balcony.

Thanks for this

[yellowbentines]

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

[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.

[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

[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!

[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.