OK, this hotel is not the Mandarin Oriental (though Id argue the views are better and staff even friendlier), but I just can't think of a solid reason for complaint. Its certainly utterly laughable half the hotels that are rated above this on TripAdvisor so Im bumping it to 5 star, no hesitation.
All the good: great sunsets over an endless ocean; staff completely open / helpful / friendly; a massage in the spa that my friend compared favorably to - no joke - the one she had at the Mandarin in Bankok (the spa EXPERIENCE is not comparable, of course) ; great breakfast; our room was wonderful; a library (so helpful when you have run out of something to read); good music played at breakfast (and other times / other spaces but I forget) etc......We loved it. Oh, 24 hour room service. Didnt use it but I definitely appreciate it.

Two negative points: Yes, the poster who claims there have been cutbacks / no investment at the hotel may well be right. It was our first time (frankly, I saw possible evidence of same at Reids) The grounds could certainly use some serious attention, it is true. However, this didn't bother us. What DID irritate me was the lack of WiFi in the rooms. WiFi is available only in the hotel's public spaces. This seems ridiculous. I WANT to read email or whatever on my porch when I want. Perhaps the hotel wants me to have to use its other services when I go online? I dont know. I was so happy there I actually forgot to ask or say anything...Ill definitely go back. And ask them to fix the wifi.

We have stayed here 8 times over the past 6 years and initially we found it one of the best hotels we had ever stayed in(see previous reports). Since we were last there 2 years ago there have been major cutbacks and no investment. Many of the staff remain and are young cheerful and helpful but are unable to provide the service as previously.
The spa and indoor pool was poor, too cool, no towels etc. The furniture everywhere was worn. Many trees had been hacked down improving the view but exposing the pool and gazebo. The paths were in poor repair and very badly lit at night and the frequency of the coutesy bus was reduced whilst we were there.
All in all a very sad experience.

Choupana Hills Hotel & Spa, 5*

Well... Difficult to describe this resort in short. Various levels of quality - for accommodation, for restaurant, for services, for staff, for spa...

Let' s start with overall idea, concept "inspired by nature": We felt like in some "jungle lodge" in South Africa or Sri Lanka in Asia... However this was the best experience - 5* for the concept. Resort consists of two main buildings and approx 20 bungalows. In first main building is restaurant downstairs and bar in 1st floor. Everything stylish, nice, keeping "concept atmosphere". Second building has three floors. The highest is the reception and main entrance to the resort - something like "gate". Under reception there are library with PC with free interenet, comfortable lobby and terrace for smokers with ratan furniture and nice view to Funchal. Downstairs there is the spa area with two pools - outside ("infinity") and inside, sauna and rooms for massages. Around these main buildings are bungalows, two separate rooms in each. Everything in nice tropical garden with smart paths and stairs to aim parkings, reception or restaurant as easily as possible.

Location: Choupana is located above east part of Funchal, approx 500-600 metres above the sea. 15 mins by car/taxi to the centre of Funchal. Almost climbing... Forget 3 or higher speed in your car :-). Bus stop is 5 minutes walk from the reception. Hotel arranges free shuttle to the centre a few times a day. Placement of Choupana has a few good (+) and a few bad (-) impacts. +: quiet place, no stress, relaxing (almost ambient) atmosphere far from hotels and bars by the sea near traffic inthe centre of Funchal, nice view to the city and port, jardim botanico and jardim orchidea and teleferico to Monte are very close. -: 5 degrees lower temperature than in Funchal, nearest shop is approx 2 kilometres (only) far, but 250 metres lower (so much), no bars or restaurant (except hotel' s) available in walk distance.

Accommodation: there is stylish furniture in all bungalows and on terraces - wooden bed, tables, chairs, etc. Each bungalow has stony bathroom and separate toilet. A/C well function, also heating during cold nights :-). From bed is nice view to the ocean. Well, everything sounds fine, but as the furniture is a bit older than I would expect in 5* hotel, we have to sign accommodation as 4* and half, not 5*.

Rooms cleaning: without problems. Could be 5*.

Restaurant/food: the worse experience from the stay in Choupana. I would expect wide range of different foods for breakfast in 5* hotel... :-((( We had only breakfast and each day was the same and in very limited range. I don' t want to describe in detail, but the quality of food couldn ´ t be compared to hotels in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Egypt I have experience from. Especially in comparison with 5* hotels in Turkey and Egypt is breakfast food in Choupana FAR WORSE. Unfortunately, service in restaurant was on the same level as food - slow, unpleasant, forgeting orders. For me 2*.

Spa: pools were acceptable, rooms for massages a little bit dirty, but massages were absolutely proffessional and massages proposal is very wide. I can ´ t forget quality of spas in Belek´ s 5* hotels...that ´ s why Choupana can ´ t get the same mark, for me it is "only" 3*.

Reception: very pleasant staff. Actually we didn ´ t want to arrange any special services, but they were helpful also in simple matters...so 5*, why not.

SUMMARY: Although Choupana Hills looks very nice and there is really good atmosphere, whole resort IS NOT 5*. Could be 4*, but only from perspective of unique concept and location. The rest (mostly services and "unfinished quality matters") is 3*** and half. And value for the money? In comparison with similar level of hotels (5*) in Egypt, Turkey? :-((((... Choupana is coming closer to hotels in Canary islands, but resorts with own unique concept like Abama (Tenerife) or Baobab on Meloneras beach (Gran Canaria) are much more better.

P.S. But holidays there were satysfying...

I spent a few days at Choupana Hills as a solo traveller and decided on this place based on the previous Trip Advisor reviews. It's a relaxing place and staff are incredibly friendly and helpful.
Whilst it rained most of the time I was there, it didn't bother me too much as I was happy to have a few relaxing days. The resort is set in a beautiful surroundings and hotel staff are more than happy to provide more information on the area should you wish to venture further afield.

The only negative point I noticed that whilst the hotel is well maintained, it could do with a good lick of paint, especially in spa area which was damp and musty and the spa pool was cold.

Apart from that, I had a very enjoyable time and breakfast was fantastic!