This is the third visit to this hotel, mid February 2013, previously 2005 and 2008.

The service and food is still very good but the rooms now need a bit of updating.

I requested a high mountain view room, as my wife and I don’t use balcony’s with sea views as were are always out and about.

We were given a room on the 8th floor. Unfortunately, the road below is now a lot busier than the last visits and the noise of traffic hitting the ramp and manholes outside kept us awake late at night and early in the morning.

After complaining to the hotel they moved us to a lower room on the side of the hotel which was much quieter, except for noisy teenagers in the next room at about midnight but only for 15 minutes, so not too bad. So thanks to the hotel for that.

The location of the hotel for my wife and I is perfect. Just down the sloping road opposite to the Lido is a coastal path that is about 6kM long, worth a walk, some bars on the way. Also, about a 2Km walk into the centre of Funchal downhill and a bus back if you don’t fancy the walk back uphill. (Numbers 2,4 and 6 run regularly and stop outside the hotel).

The walk into Funchal is along a busy road but has the St. Catarina Park with a statue of ‘Sissy’ and a small lake with fountains, swans, ducks etc. and views over Funchal along the way.

The floods and mud slides in Madeira in 2010 caused extensive damage to the town, especially the coastal area. The ex Beatles/Donovan yacht, The Vagrant, was undamaged but the tables, little punts, were virtually destroyed.

They are repairing and building break waters to not only protect against future storms but to make a beach, so there is a lot of works going on at the far end of Funchal. Due to be completed in 2015. The Cable Car, Teleferico, was not affected so you can still go to the Imperial Palace Tropical Gardens, which are tremendous, and a second cable car to the Botanic Gardens, just as impressive in a different way. Buses are also available. The famous wooden sledges run from the church just up from the Imperial Palace Gardens. They are expensive and not very exciting. However, should be done when you’re there.

We will not return to Madeira and this hotel but only because we have been here three times.