Closest hotel to the centre of Funchal - everything is within walking distance (most hotels are set miles to the West of Funchal). Moden, very clean but above all one of the most helpful hotels I have ever stayed in. No request was too much trouble and the staff all genuinely care about the guests enjoyment - there's plenty of 5* hotels that could learn from this hidden gem

Daniel

London

Good, central location, but extremely noisy into the early hours - roaring traffic, shrieking clubbers returning to their parked cars, shouting winos in the municipal gardens, etc.

New (Aug 2006) club, Cafe Teatro opposite municipal gardens plays pounding dance music at unbelievable decibel level until 4.30 am 4 night a week, making it impossible to sleep in rooms at front of hotel. Ask for room at the back.

Stayed in this hotel in 2001 & 2006 & couldn't believe the change in the nightime noise level in 5 years. Not for you if you want somewhere peaceful to stay. I came home desperate for a good night's sleep!

Very convenient for the centre of Funchal where all the sites & restaurants are, plus the various bus stations if you are interested in walking on the levadas.
Not particularly noisy despite the central location.
Our room was nice with a balcony that (diagonally) overlooked the park.

P.S. there is a vegetarian cafe in the shopping complex on your right as you go the 5 min down to the bay.

This was our seventh trip to Madeira. We like to stay in a hotel that is actually in Funchal not in the main hotel area to the west of the city. It's good to be able to just stroll out of the front door of the hotel, wander around Funchal, sample the cafes and restaurants and stroll back for a nap or a snooze in the sun. The Hotel Madeira's location is its main asset. It is right in the heart of Funchal by the Municipal Garden. A little old now having been built in the 70s I think and showing a few signs of wear but it is well kept and these days well worth the money as it is usually at the bottom end of the price range. Four stories and a fifth floor sun terrace and small pool. Which these days is a bit lonely. Some sun loungers and a few tables and chairs but that's it. No bar. No snacks. But good to relax and good views up to the hills and Monte at the back. The rooms are a good size. They all have a balcony. Ours had two. The wardrobes are spacious and the bathrooms are well kept and very clean. Breakfast is very simple. Bread, cheese, cold meat, yoghurt, honey. The only hot dish is scrambled eggs but they will do eggs in other ways if you ask. No dining room for the evening but who needs one when you are in the centre of town with easy access to dozens of restaurants nearby. When we stayed there in March 2006 there was building work on two sides of the hotel. It does provide some noise but not very much. It certainly didn't disturb our afternoon naps. The work looked like it still had several months to go yet. This really is a value for money hotel but it doesn't have the space or the facilities of a lot of the newer hotels out in the Lido area.