we've visited Madeira many many times and so chose this hotel for the change of location. Arrived on the morning of NYE for a 14 night stay. We would be hard pressed to find a negative here - the customer service is excellent, helped in no small measure by the Customer Relations Manager, Lena, who is a powerhouse and works extremely hard to make sure guests are comfortable and satisfied. We were notified before we left home about the storm defence works and were offered a 'compensation' of 10euros/day/person which, coupled with our Prestige discounts, went a long way towards covering most of our costs during the stay. Some days the noise was quite low, other days it was quite noisy, but there were no works at all over our final weekend, although the compensation was awarded for every day. I wouldn't let these works put me off staying here. We tried most of the hotel facilities, the indoor pool and Jacuzzi are lovely and hardly used - one day I had the whole facility to myself. Paola in the spa is very good and the pedicure I had was the best ever. Happy hour before dinner proved very useful and the service and food in the restaurant was excellent - especially the gourmet night where we went for the suggested wine option. The meal on that night is served to the table and the wine complemented the food perfectly. When we do visit Madeira again we would certainly stay here again.

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.