We have done a lot of walking from our base near the Old Town during this week's holiday. One such walk led us to this beautiful hotel and we ventured inside for a drink at 5pm. They were serving afternoon tea on the terrace, but as we had booked Do Forte for dinner, we opted just to have a drink. The Cocktail Bar has beautiful views over the gardens, swimming pool and bay of Funchal. We ordered a Kir Royal and a beer (24 euros, but only 6 on the beer!) but spent a pleasant three quarters of an hour just enjoying being there. I was struck by the attention to detail (lovely nibbles) and excellent courteous service from our bar man. We were dressed in casual walking clothes, but there was no suggestion of us not being dressed up enough to get in (although some people coming in for afternoon tea were beautifully attired). I agree that maybe it is not for everyone, but I am glad I've had a peek inside and maybe will get a bit more dressed up for afternoon tea next time!

We spent an absolutely unsurpassed, wonderful week at Reid's Palace, and I would go back in a heartbeat. But it isn't for everyone. It is an historic, elegant, refined hotel with antique furnishings and a slightly "stuffy" atmosphere. Location in Funchal can not be beat, on a cliff close to town with immaculately maintained, extensive gardens. The breakfast is extensive and far surpasses the usual hotel breakfasts in most European hotels; and the food in the very expensive restaurants is excellent and well prepared. The service is gracious and friendly from the concierge to the wait staff. There is no task too great for them to accomplish. At poolside, you hear little other than the waves on the cliffs. There are no screaming children doing belly-flops in the pool, nor would that be particularly welcomed by the guests. Most of the patrons are British and northern European. Very few Americans are here or in Funchal in general. The upholstered furniture is a throwback to mid-twentieth century in style--like grandma's living room. Everything is well maintained, but there is the hint of the "faded rose" here and there. The spa is luxurious (and expensive), well staffed and with a nice menu of treatments. We were here thru Christmas, so dinner in the main Dining Room was black tie (didn't attend). But dinner in the Italian restaurant was excellent and reasonably priced, and attire was dress casual. Had dinner in the French restaurant (jacket and tie), good food, pricey. Pool luncheon buffet was superb (33 Euro per person). Poolside food and drink service was slow and careless--not up to par with the service for every other aspect of this outstanding hotel. Management should fix this. So come here if you don't have to pinch pennys and if you don't have a brood of noisy children along.

If you're seduced by Orient Express's 1930s promises & romance, Portugal's economic reality unfortunately pearces ugly 2012 truths through that fantasy. This place must cost a fortune to run, but then everyone staying has paid a fortune for the experience, which unfortunately has to make judgements more rigorous. (or maybe not everyone is paying the full pricetag, going by the dress & demeanor of some of the breakfast guests) Clearly they're struggling to balance the books & have made their operation more skeletal. Many of the staff are fantastic,many of them seem a little weary but in such a sartorial environment i object to being scowled at, for ten days, by juvenile waiters who clearly feel i didn't tip them enough. It boasts five restaurants, which actually equates to 1 daily lunch buffet & a choice of French Les Faunes or the more casual italian for dinner.(Winter) But beware, the Italian is popular & if you don't book you'll eat late (if at all). Unfortunately they also have problems with maths. Twice a week lovely Les Faunes is closed & more formal events occur - these also can create problems with maths. After 2 weeks frankly the food experience - great at first - has become repetitive & (if on 1/2 B) room service starts to look attractive. Booked sea view, got bush view.World class in-house pianist - seems to work daily. Can only get there on Easyjet which is another sharp jolt back into reality- horrendous (make sure you pack your biggest elbows) Spa girls are lovely, but it's disproportionately expensive. Last year we spent a week in a National Trust country house in UK, it cost about the same, but we didn't feel like cashcows, we felt relaxed, refreshed, serene - it didn't rain that much more either! I wonder that the problem is Orient Express, Les Quatre Saisons was similarly disappointing in similar ways last time we went. These places just don't seem to be what they were!

Reid's is simply beautiful in every respect. A lovely, elegant, comfortable hotel, beautiful gardens, spacious rooms, outstanding service and a perfect setting. Certainly one of the very best hotels I have ever experienced.