This is a lovely hotel with very helpful staff. We stayed here for 2 weeks in November 2011. The location is perfect for the centre of the old town (3 mins away) and there are a huge choice of restaurants, again within a few minutes walk. The pools are fine. We swam in the outdoor pool most days but it was pretty cold most of the time. The heated indoor pool was just perfect.

My mother and I. Stayed here for 6 nights in February 2013. Room 112 not too far from the lift as requested. Twin bedded room with very comfortable beds (often on the island the hotels beds are quite firm, melia mar beds good too). Flat screen tv picture quality good, lots of channels. There is a table and 2 chairs and another chair with a desk area. Lighting good. There is a small kichenette sink, full Size fridge, 2 ring hob, cutlery, plates, glasses,etc. no microwave. however we did not use as on the first day i went to make a hot drink and when i turned the tap on ti fill the kettle there were Ants in it, they had come i presume from the water. i did report this to reception who said ants were a problem there. Bathroom good size plenty of hot water. I did notice however sometimes in the morning the water pressure wasn't brilliant from the shower probably due to amount of people using at same time. The bath was short as in a lot of hotels.the sea view rooms are with a supplement, we booked direct with hotel and paid €130 a night bed and breakfast for 2' the garden view rooms can overlook the public park which can be noisy. Also I noticed those rooms are faith smaller balconies. They do offer garden rooms with a view over their garden.garden rooms were €23 a night less. If you are having a sea view room I would suggest top floor the third for better views

Food. Breakfast great lots of choice other people's reviews cover this.
Dinner ate 2 nights buffet €25.50 per person per meal. Fab range of salads. Mains ok but on one evening fish was very dry there are sauces for some of the fish and meats. Deserts a great choice and cheese too. House wine was fine had glass each.

Service. The main greeter Lina was full of energy, worked for hotel for 20 years, covers all hotels in the group. Tea and coffee served in pots to your table always piping hot. Some staff very seriously looking and rarely smiling, a smile goes a long way. Efficiency of clearing use plates from tables very good.

Captains bar. Food good value. Omelette with salad and chips €9 for cheese and ham. I don't eat meat and asked for cheese and onion no problem. You see the menu but would like a different filling just ask. Toasted sandwich comes with wedges and coleslaw €4.90- salads around 10€. If you drink water buy a large bottle rather then 2 small bottles as the price works out better and more water. Large bottle = 4 small bottles. After one had eaten the plates were still left by us on more then one occasion for a long time afterwards. I also had problems getting the bill, one day I asked 5 times both in English and Portuguese and after a long wait it came. Some bar staff not efficient again one here who never smiles. Lina guest relations same lady breakfast greeter came to see us one day whilst eating there and she noted the comments, amazing next day service better.

Hotel adult only which is nice. The group has hotels that are family orientated in the lido area.

The outdoor pool is quite small plenty sun loungers. Bar in area serving light meals, ice cream and drinks. Indoor pool warm but only 1.10 m found it hard to swim in. Jacuzzi nice. Sauna didn't use takes 90 mins to heat up.

Works on promenade a little noisy at times. Hotel allocates € 10 pppn off the cost of food, treatments, drinks do charge items to your room otherwise you don't get the discount. You can not use for tips.

Hotel easy walking distance to cable car, town lots of restaurants nearby, the market,etc. I have lived in Funchal if you need help with anything regarding you holiday please message me happy to advise where I can

There is a terrace on third floor seating areas with lovely views over Funchal the fort and sea

I already done review on regency palace, in march there will be a review on the melia mar, also the royal garden hotel ponta Delgada Azores

Travelled with mother marked as friends category

We have just returned from a 1-week break in Funchal, our third stay in Madeira. We chose the hotel primarily for its convenient location, although we had seen it before when on a coach dropping off other passengers and it looked nice. Before booking with Thompson we checked out the feedback on Tripadvisor. We decided to book, in spite of the ongoing building work right outside the hotel. It turned out to be absolutely no problem and we enjoyed a great stay. The hotel was spotlessly clean, the room spacious and well appointed. The bed (& linen) was fantastically comfortable. It's a very well run hotel, the staff are top notch, very efficient and friendly and we will definitely be considering staying at this hotel again.

We have just returned from a week at this hotel, staying half board in a junior suite with a sea view. The room was first rate, very spacious and clean. There is a handy kitchen area for preparing snacks with a fridge, kettle , crockery and cutlery.
The food in the restaurant is a grade up from say an H10 in Lanzarote. Service by an large is exceptional with very friendly helpful staff.
The position of the hotel is ideal. It is right in the old town next to the cable car. There are loads of places to eat and drink nearby. A great bakers just on the doorstep. If your a young person looking for a night life this is probably not the place for you. I'm 61 and I would think well below the median age! I would recommend the free wine tasting put on by the hotel. I learned a lot with a very good presenter and some good wines.
I think some of the reviews play down the disruption by the works going on. If you wanted to sit by the pool for long periods or go on the sunbeds it would be a problem. If you don't then the 10 Euros a day per person is good compensation, although for some reason a few people get upset it doesn't include tips!
If you are sometimes a bit boring, like me, it's worth noting tv has BBC 1 and ITV. Very good when you're tired after a bit of hill walking.
Funchal is very interesting. Locals and tourists really mingle and tourists are welcomed everywhere.
One small gripe our room wasn't ready when we arrived at 2.30, although lunch was provided for free while we waited. If you want a safe asked for the key when you check in. I noticed quite a few people at reception saying their safe wasn't working. I'm still not sure why this is not standard check in info.
All in all this hotel was really very good. I would recommend it.