Hotel Dorisol Estrelicia, Funchal

We booked this hotel though Expedia, having chosen it from the many hotels in and around Funchal. We were visiting Funchal in November (still lovely weather for this time of year).

Arriving
We arrived quite late at night (near midnight). Having got a taxi from the airport we were dropped right at the door and didn't see much until the next day. Reception quickly checked us in and we went off to our room. Seemed clean and friendly ...
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Facilities
The hotel had a nice pool with a snack bar and seating areas for reading/eating etc. My only gripe with the snack bar was that they didn't like to take cash and wanted to charge things to your room - I don't particularly like this way of working - each to his own I suppose. There was an indoor pool in another part of the building and a tennis court. The hotel is part of the Dorisol chain and so guests can use the Mimosa ... more

We booked this hotel though Expedia, having chosen it from the many hotels in and around Funchal. We were visiting Funchal in November (still lovely weather for this time of year).

Arriving
We arrived quite late at night (near midnight). Having got a taxi from the airport we were dropped right at the door and didn't see much until the next day. Reception quickly checked us in and we went off to our room. Seemed clean and friendly enough.

The room
We had a twin room which was quite small, but we weren't looking to spend a great deal of time in it. There was a reasonably sized bathroom with bath/shower, sink and toilet.

There was a tv in the room with various music channels, a fridge, a safe box and a lovely view over Funchal. There was plenty of wardrobe space. The room was cleaned daily and kept in good condition.

Breakfast
We were booked in B&B at the hotel. Breakfast was the usual continental sort - breads, rolls, pastries, juices and hot foods for those who wanted it. It was all very nice and you could eat as much as you felt you needed to keep you going throughout the day.

Facilities
The hotel had a nice pool with a snack bar and seating areas for reading/eating etc. My only gripe with the snack bar was that they didn't like to take cash and wanted to charge things to your room - I don't particularly like this way of working - each to his own I suppose. There was an indoor pool in another part of the building and a tennis court. The hotel is part of the Dorisol chain and so guests can use the Mimosa facilities as well.

Heading out of the hotel
The main entrance to the hotel takes you out at the top of a hill (the hill has the Dorisol hotels on it). There are steps down the hill (very small steps, the kind you can't get a stride on) and you can walk down the main part - not much traffic seems to come up here. You can also make your way out of the hotel by passing by the tennis court. This brings you out halfway down the hill.

Travel into central Funchal
The hotel provides a courtesay bus (full sized coach) into the town centre on every day bar a Sunday. A timetable is made available at reception. The bus drops you on the main street and picks you up at the same place. It drops off and picks up at the other hotels in the chain.

If you are alright with walking downhill, you can walk into town from the hotel, and if you are alright walking uphill, you can walk back. We usually got the bus one way and walked the other.

The local area
The hotel is well situated for local eateries -there is a restaurant at the bottom of the hill it is on which is very relaxed with lovely food and wine. It is in two parts; one Italian type cuisine and one Indian. We ate in the Italian part a couple of times and enjoyed it.

There is a very good restaurant, Mediterraneo around the corner on the top floor of the Lido shopping centre. Would recommend their 'steak on a stone' and their pizzas. Very friendly and helpful staff.

During the day, we had lunch in a place nearer the front called 'qualifruita'. It was a fruit shop/cafe which sold the best fruit salad and freshly squeezed juices - from orange, to kiwi, to melon. Very good value for money and very healthy.

The evening entertainment
The bar is pleasant and has a good drinks and cocktails menu. However, the entertainment is pretty rubbish - an old man playing the piano. Not my cup of tea anyway. We enjoyed better making an evening out of a nice leisurely meal with wine!

Leaving the hotel
Reception were very helpful about arranging a taxi back to the airport. We settled the bill for various things as we were leaving which was fine.

Overall this was a nice base for a trip to Funchal. It isn't a posh hotel by any means, but it is clean and has everything you would need. It is handy for restaurants and so on, and organised trips pick up nearby.  

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