QUINTA DA BELA VISTA

We stayed at the Quinta da Bela Vista for seven nights and wish we could have stayed longer. Located high above the city, the views from the pool-side bar are just magnificent. If you are looking for raucous laughter and buffet-style food, the Quinta is not for you. Dinner is an olde-worlde traditional affair, with a resident pianist and a five-course taster set menu every evening. You can relax in one of the sitting rooms, each styled with antiques (the library is a cool, quiet haven). It's like taking a step back in time; staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome, and look after your every need. But, there is a quiet ambience and many of the guests are of a certain age so it's not for everyone. Saying that, if you want peace, tranquility, and time 'away from it all', this could be just the place to be.

Lovely hotel - rooms large and beautifully furnished with antiques - breakfast excellent - I found the dining room far too hot so sat outside by the pool restaurant for meals which was beautiful. My only gripe is the pool guy was never there to put out towels acted like it was a terrible inconvenience. He really got everyone's back up. Would def go back again (with my own towels) You do have to get cabs in and out of town - make sure they are on the clock it's about 10 euros each way!

This is a hotel with a colonial feel-slightly faded but full of charm. We stayed a week in a clean,comfortable room that was well appointed with some antique furniture. All the staff here are outstanding - friendly and helpful, nothing is too much trouble. Breakfasts were excellent with a wide variety of food in an attractive dining room.We had half board and the evening meal consisted of five courses. My recommendation is that, although the courses varied each day and were filling, a stronger element of choice is needed (eg three courses with choices for each course) The poolside bar food leads the way here - very good.The mini bus service works well and taxis are cheap and quick and very comfortable. There were ample poolside loungers and the poolside ambience is one of serenity.Drinks are expensive here, evidenced by the amount of bottled water at dinner. However the local supermarket has a good selection of quality, much cheaper wine and soft drinks.These points aside,this is a great place to stay in a delightful Funchal.

Hotel is set in lovely gardens with views over Funchal. Room was clean and comfortable with a large bathroom. Food very good..set five course dinners and a great choice at breakfast. Minibus offers useful transport to town which has to be pre booked. Hotel drinks tend to be slightly overpriced but here they are extortionately expensive. We queried the varying prices of Madeira in the pool bar and were told there are always menus on the tables showing prices. There were no menus and we had certainly not requested the supposedly more expensive option on our second evening.This left us feeling cheated. Why take advantage of a "captive audience"' We enjoyed drinks in several top Funchal hotels during our visit and nowhere else did we encounter inflated prices like these. As previous reviewers have noted, there is a very good supermarket with an excellent drink selection just ten minutes walk away. The often mentioned (when we were there!) shrub in the gardens which is so fragrantly scented by night is Cestrum Nocturnum or night jasmine. It can be grown as a conservatory plant in the UK.

This is without a doubt the most charming and beautiful hotel I have ever visited. Located on the top of funchal, you have a beautiful view over the City. The people are friendly and warm. You will feel as you have been sent back in time