we have just stayed at the quinta monte for 4 nights as part of a walking holiday , it was a lovely hotel wonderful staff and fantastic food would highly reccomend

I have just returned from a one week stay at the Quinta do Monte in Madeira. I was travelling alone and am a male, over 65 years old.

I thought that this hotel was outstanding in every respect. Built in the old style, positioned high up away from the traffic in Funchal (yet easily accessible by three public bus services, the hotel courtesy bus, cable car and the tobaggan run!), with magnificent South facing views and set amidst delightful, peaceful gardens.

The food was excellent. Buffet breakfast included a huge range of hot and cold food to suit all tastes, with a profusion of fresh fruit (and even champagne for those so minded).

The evening set dinner menu, changed daily, usually four courses and with a choice of dishes, was very good value for money. I did not use the a la carte menu, although it was tempting! Classical guitar and a local folk group provided accompanying entertainment on two of the nights.

The bedroom was large, with a balcony, and a spacious bathroom with every facility, including a very powerful shower.

The staff were very friendly, informative, welcoming, efficient and professional.
Dulce would get my prize for the oustanding hotel Receptionist of the year, or even the decade!

I will certainly return there on my next visit to Madeira.

Although the hotel itself is a beautiful building in an equally beautiful setting this hotel struggled to reach 3 star standard rather than the 5 star to which it purports. The "low" season in which we visited was also reflected in the way the hotel was run and although the staff were friendly, the hotel we encountered did not coincide with the one that we believed we were booking. The cleaning services were cursory. Sheets were not changed daily, even when needed, cobwebs hanging from the ceiling remained throughout our stay, together with bloodied, squashed remnants of insects on walls and dead spiders on the floor, all of which were there to greet us upon our arrival. The bathroom door could not be closed completely without significant force, the water in the bath/shower would not drain away and fresh towels were not always given. Cleaning was never carried out at the same time. Sometimes it would be done whilst at breakfast and on other occasions on returning at 3pm it still remained to be done.

For an island that receives an important number of English guests, the tea that was served at breakfast was very poor. When asking for more, the pot containing the one bag of insipid Lipton Yellow which was allocated per guest was refilled with lukewarm water and no extra bag(s) given. This is not exactly the brand you would hope for in an establishment of this calibre. Needless to say, when the day starts this way, there really is no hope for the rest of your stay. Obviously, the “Charming Hotels” have a different way of rating their stars

Apart from the hotel, on trying to find decent local food at reasonable prices in and around Funchal, we were told by restaurants that they only cater for tourists and those special rice and seafood dishes for which both Madeira and Portugal are so famous were not to be found, at least not in restaurants where you didn't need to take a mortgage out. In general there is a quality/price abyss in eating-out. If you don't expect much, you will surely not be disappointed.

These are just a few of the most memorable 'hiccups' of our 7-day stay. It goes without saying that if neither the basics (food and lodging) are a success then neither will the rest of the holiday. After 3 days we looked forward to leaving. Maybe we should have complained and ranted and raved - however, this was meant to be a holiday and we were under the misguided delusion that booking a 5* hotel was a guarantee in itself . Obviously not.

Madeira/Funchal is not a place we would ever recommend.

Well the location at Monte spoke for itself it was superb the hotel relaxing & the staff ever pleasant & helpful.
The time we were there, though warm most days in Funchal it could be cloudy in Monte but hey did it matter not at all.
We only did B & B the breakfasts were plentiful however we did have to repeat that we wanted HOT tea. but even this was not a moan. The bar meals did suffice on many occasion for a main meal. The staff were very obliging when requests were placed for extra hangers & pillows nothing was too much trouble.
The only one complaint made was that it was a cold hotel in an evening, so a fire was lit most nights.

I would impress on anyone that you did need to have a good pair of legs even just walking from the cable car to the hotel or from the bus stop to the hotel as there was a bit of an incline.

We have to say it was one of the most relaxing holidays we had even tho bus trips/cable car could be quite scary!!.
I have read previous reports which i found very helpful before going out to Madeira. We would return in a few years possibly in April to see the Flower festival.

If anyone is going say hello to Dulce one of the loveliest receptionists & Renato a waiter whose English & pleasant manner was a hit with most.
That is not to say that others werent pleasant but these two stood out for us.

Please go to Monte & enjoy the experience.