Deciding to holiday over Christmas and New Year 2013 we had chosen Madeira on recommendation of friends. As this was our first visit to Madeira, how fortunate we were to have chosen the ‘PORTO SANTA MARIA’ Hotel.
On arrival at the hotel we were immediately impressed by the efficient check in and the fact that our luggage was ready and waiting in our room by the time we got there. The room (a ground floor sea facing twin) was everything we could have wished for with a small balcony leading to the garden and pool area. We especially liked the small kitchen area with a fridge allowing us to keep cold drinks & wine, plus could make tea and coffee when ever desired.
There was a Christmas banquet on our first night being Christmas Eve, this was truly spectacular and was our first introduction to the remarkably friendly and efficient restaurant staff that we came to look on as friends by the end of our two weeks. Special mention must be made of all the restaurant staff; Lina (PR) and Catia (waitress) who gave us such excellent service and always welcomed us making us feel very special.
We found the location of the hotel excellent with the Old town being close to the hotel with numerous restaurants should you wish for a change from the hotel restaurant, we rather enjoyed the banter with the restaurant staff who attempted to persuade you to enter their restaurant (plus the delicious food)
Finally mention must be made of the Massages Beauty Spa which we only used on one occasion but the treatments were excellent and which will be high on our list of things to do next time.
Without doubt one of the best hotels we have stayed at and we have already booked to return next Christmas and to celebrate New Year 2014.
Using the Yellow or Red Bus tours is well worth the money paid as you hop on and off; the ticket for the yellow bus being usable over two days allowing one to see as much as possible of Funchal, not forgetting the wonderful, colourful FUNCHAL CHRISTMAS LIGHTS that are a delight including all the Christmas scenes.

This Hotel is perfect in so many ways and the staff are outstanding.
My wife and I really enjoyed our Xmas holiday. It was also my wife's birthday on xmas eve.
The staff sang to her and wished her a happy birthday, a real treat. The entertainment was first rate and the choir singing carols were exceptional. However if you like a Bloody Mary,take your own makings. The barman had'nt a clue. Be aware of an extra charge for use of the sauna. Also be careful of the shower mat, it can be slippery.
Caution ! we travelled with Thomson Holidays and booked extra legroom seats as a treat. Expecting to choose our seats. Not so, later we found out, all seats at the front of the aircraft are not for sale. Only exit isle seats are for sale. I was against the door with extra room for one leg and a cold draft for the other.

This is my second stay at this hotel. The staff is just so friendly and helpful: I was given the same room as last time, which was my ultimate option.
In my opinion the hotel has a perfect site in the old town of Funchal, with a lot of nice restaurants just behind the old town wall.

We spent Christmas in this fantastic hotel, we had a wonderful time . This is our favourite hotel as it ticks all the boxes for us.We like to go back every year and always enjoy the high standard of care from all levels of staff. We had a lovely bus trip in the evening to see the Christmas lights and a lovely surprise to find two hotel waiters at one of the viewing points with a table set to give us hot or cold refreshments. We missed out seeing the new year fireworks as we had to return home but we have already booked up for next year and also intend to have a summer holiday at the Porto Santa Maria hotel