Quinta dos Caracois, Funchal

Advantages: Within the town of Funchal with all its amenities
Disadvantages: Steep climb back up to the hotel

...We stayed at the Quinta Bella Sao Tiego on our second visit to Madeira. It has a lovely outlook over the old town of Funchal. The room and room service were very good, well upto 4* standard. A fault with the ventilation in the bathroom was fixed quickly and politely. Receptionists were particularly helpful. The pool area is small, but adequate. Breakfast was good with a range of cold and cooked choices. We didn't eat there in the evening as there were so many great eateries in the vacinity. We loved the "smaller hotel" feel after staying in the larger, less personal one in the Lido area. The only problem with the hotel is that it is up a steep hill - great for going down to the town, but not so good when you return. There are loads of restaurants nearby, from a good Pizza place, to more expensive fish restaurants. It would... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Excellent service, nice quite location
Disadvantages: No lifts or ramp for those with walking difficulties

...~Introduction~ During our holiday to Maderia recently we stayed at a very nice little hotel called Quinta da Casa Branca. It is part of the Estalagem hotel chain and is included on a list of small luxury hotels of the world. Our travel agent Expedia had this hotel down as four stars so we were surprised when we turned up to see that the hotel had five stars on the gate. So who was right Expedia or Estalagem? ~Location~ Madeira is off the coast of West Africa, it is an steep sided granite mass sat out in the Atlantic ocean. The capital of this small island is Funchal in a bay on the southern coast. Quinta da Casa Branca (QCB) is located in the relatively quiet holiday apartment area of Casa Branca. QCB is north of the main hotels along the cliffs and west of Funchal's city centre. The hotel is on a crescent shaped parcel of land... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Smaller hotel with good sea views in old town area
Disadvantages: Staff are not pro-active in leisure areas and only helpful when asked

...Normally we stay at Porto Santa Maria in the old town of Funchal but as the hotel was fully booked we located Quinta Bela Sao Tiago in the same area. The idea of a smaller hotel appealed but sadly the facilities and service were well short of those experienced at Porto Santa Maria. The negatives were a lack of coffee or food preparation facilities in the rooms, a steep walk to the hotel so not suitable for the elderly without transport, poor organisation at breakfast and many items of food not replenished when consumed so an early start is needed, little service in the pool area (normally one would expect a waiter to be around to serve drinks/sandwiches) and a general lack of atmosphere. Room and reception service were very good and as expected for a 4 star hotel. If we re-visited Madiera again we would definitlely book earlier... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful