We arrived at The Residence after a tiring flight and we were both still recovering from illness over the new year.
It was bliss-wonderful to be greeted with a friendly welcome and such a brilliant apartment. Very comfortable beds, great bathroom, spacious lounge area and well equipped kitchen. Everyone at The Residence takes great pride in their work and we had the best ever holiday here. Madeira is so beautiful and the location of the apartments overlooking the ocean and those sunsets-we have the most wonderful memories.
When we visit Madeira again we will definitely return to The Residence.

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday in Madeira, staying for the first time, at the Residence, Porto Bay. Unlike other reviewers we were not timeshare guests and booked a one bedroom flat on the Porto Bay web site for seven nights B&B. On arrival, we were upgraded to a two bedroom flat. We were greeted at the airport by a taxi arranged by the hotel. The rooms were immaculate, in high decorative order and tastefully furnished in light coloured wood. The rooms were cleaned daily by friendly and cheerful staff who always greeted us with smiles and complementary chocolates. The bathroom was a double room with “his & her” marble vanity units and a separate large walk in shower and bath tub. There were bathrobes, beach towels & shoulder bag supplied for use in the spas & pools. The kitchen was well equipped with oven, microwave, hot plates & fridge with all the kitchen utensils, one could possibly need for a seven night stay. The flat screen TV received several UK channels such as BBC1, BBC 2 & ITV as well as Sky & BBC 24 news. The apartment had two balconies, which overlooked the private gardens and the ocean. The only thing missing was a clock. Breakfasts in the Atlantida restaurant were ample buffet style, we looked forward each morning to the omelette cooked, on request, by Natalie who was always cheerful and she started off our days with a smile. The Atlantida had both indoor and poolside seating. We also dined one evening, in the Atlantida sampling their fish buffet night, which was a delight. Reception staff were very helpful and friendly particularly, Pedro Macedo. He made the stay even more enjoyable with his friendly advice and humour. We felt that we were the only hotel guests and no request was too much trouble for him. Facilities in the hotel resort were of a very high standard with two large swimming pools, spas etc. There were tennis courts, mini golf, outdoor chess and several restaurants. The geography of the hotel was a bit confusing during the first few days, but once we grasped that it was three hotels in one, we had fun exploring all the nooks and cranies around the complex. The gardens were very attractive and all the plants were labeled. There were many familiar plants from tropical Queensland, Australia. There is also an ice cream parlour, the Dolce Lima, on the promenade overlooking the Lido serving delicious sundaes, but not for those on a diet. The hotel ambience can best be described as exuding quiet and understated elegance and style. The hotel is opposite the Lido, which is a public park and swimming pool area for Funchal residents. We discovered the Morada restaurant hidden away under the Lido on a lower level with a late night jazz club. There is a supermarket, under the Eden Mar Hotel called the Pingo Doce, for provisions. The hotel has a transfer coach to Funchal, which had to be pre-booked but was not that frequent. We bought a two day ticket with the Yellow Bus Tours which did a circular route to Funchal and to Camara de Lobos. This was very useful as we became familiar with the geography of Funchal and surrounding districts. There are any number of tourist coach companies nearby and we did a day trip to the North and West with Lido Tours in a small eight seater. We enjoyed ourselves so much at the Residence and Madeira, that we plan to return in March to celebrate my birthday. This time, we will bring a travel clock and book a coach tour of the South & East.

The overall impression at Porto Mare is that everything they do is done extremely well. Housekeeping, catering, leisure and the administration of the complex is a seamless, smooth process that induces a feeling of being looked after in the most efficient manner. Bedrooms, linen, bathrooms are spotless, cleaned by a team who clearly take the utmost pride in their work. Gardens and recreation areas, pools and restaurants benefit from the same attention to detail allowing the visitor to relax and enjoy their holiday to the utmost.
You will always wish that you could stay longer at Porto Mare.

From the various reviews it is so evident that many of us return here year after year. There must be a reason for this and this is not difficult to identify. First the location. Situated at the Lido, you are in the quiet part of town with a wonderful walk on your doorstep and yet a regular free coach to take you into town if you don't feel up to the walk. The gardens of the hotel have to be seen to be believed - this is no concrete carbuncle and these gardens in our view are on a par with the botanic gardens themselves. Next the staff - having stayed in many hotels we have never experienced such warmth and friendliness - without exception - and when you meet the senior management of the hotel it is not difficult to see why this is very much the house style. If you eat in the hotel you have a wide choice of restaurants from which to choose - from formal dining to casual dining around the swimming pool and in the evening a varied programme of entertainment. The lesirure facilities are equally attractive and provide all that the more energetic may require. Each December we return for our dose of Madeiran sunshine and each year we leave with tremendous reluctance.