First of all, I personally don't understand why they didn't rate it as a 5 star hotel? As it is better than a lot of 5 stars I've ever stayed in. Excellent location in Funchal, exactly in the turistic center of the old city, near all the restaurants, bars. All the rooms are facing the ocean, some with front view, other ones with side view. The staff is excellent, they help you with any request you might have.
Excellent breakfast, plenty of choices, champagne, a lot of fresh fruits. The swimmingpool area looks wonderful, it's an interesting exotic garden with a lot of flowers and all kind of exotic trees. The view from the balcony, especially at sunrise, worth a lot!
They also provide taxi service to the airport and it's cheaper than the usual taxi fare.
There are a lot of restaurants near the hotel and this area is now much more populated than the other side of the city where most of the big hotels are located. That are was empty,no one in the street, and we didn't also see anyone at the hotel's swimmingpools either.
For a relaxing holiday, a relaxing atmosphere, also for having a great sunbath during the winter, we reccomend Porto Santa Maria Hotel in Funchal! We will definately visit Funchal next winter and for sure we will chose the same hotel!

a lovely hotel right on the sea front and close to the old town of Funchal. Close to many superb restaurants and little streets to explore.
less than 5 minutes walk from the cable car which takes you up to some of the beautiful gardens of maderia.
A really clean and nicely set out hotel with indoor and outdoor pools and a spa area.

It's more for slightly older residents- wouldn't suit chiildren particularly but then I don't think Maderia has much to offer children in entertainment anyway.

Hotel Porto Santa Maria is part of the renowned Porto Bay Group and is located in the old part of Funchal.
It is classed as 4*, is well worth that rating and is specifically for the 'over 16' clientele. I have disability issues and was looking for a quality Hotel in the centre of Funchal, close to all amenities, Porto Santa Maria fits all of these requirements.
The area surrounding the Hotel is also quite falt, which is ideal for wheelchair users or anyone who has walking difficulties.
The facilities are excellent with both outdoor and indoor pools where various spa treatments are available and up to date disability access.
Rooms are a good size and include a kitchenette which is an added bonus.
This was our second visit, on the first occasion we booked on a half board basis and the restaurant has a very good selection of food. Our lastest visit gave us the opportunity to try bed and breakfast which was also fine due to the close proximity of a good selection of restaurants adjacent to the Hotel.
If you are looking for a relaxing, peaceful Winter break to a centrally located hotel in Madeira, then the Hotel Porto Santa Maria ticks all the boxes.

This hotel is 24 mins from Funchal airport on a minibus. It is next door to the old town and promanade so has many restaurants and walks within easy reach.
I found the hotel clean and well maintained.The room came with a small kitchenette , no actual tea, coffee or milk but thse could easily be purchased. The room was not spacious, it did have a small table and one easy chair in it but was fine. It was equipped with a/c and a TV which had some UK channels, they also showed some football on the library TV which my husband appreciated.On a couple of nights there was a faint mechanical drone in the room which I never resolved, and the horns of the liners coming into port were effective.
It does have some live entertainment in the evenings - sometimes a duo or solo singer who I thought were not much different from the muzak usually played.
The indoor swimming pool was good, I only dipped my toe in the outside one and it seemed v. cold.
Breakfast was a buffet with full English, friut. pastries bread and cheese etc.
We had two bar meals in the evening and one meal in the restaurant both of which were fine.I also enjoyed the Harvey Wallbangers from the bar. The only bar meals in the evening were actual meals , we usually had such a large lunch we would have preferred something a little lighter but of course managed to clean our plates.
During our stay many of the guests seemed to be from the UK, athough there were Germans, Scandinavians and some Portugese as well.
The staff were very good and very helpful.
Many guest seemed to be on repeat visits, I may also go back. it was not luxorious but was ideally situated and relaxing