Had a great time in this hotel. Sea view room with balcony overlooking the harbour and cruise ship port. Xmas lights in Funchal were spectacular and provided us with a breathtaking view from our balcony at night. The xmas gala meal served on xmas eve was amazing. There were about 6 courses and neither of us could quite manage all the food - there was so much. Service was very good during this meal and there were no long waits between courses, although we did need time for each course to digest ! Staff were efficient and friendly.
Room was kept very clean and it was a quiet location despite being above the pool area. Bed was comfortable (2 twins pushed together to make a 6ft bed). Good shower in the bathroom and plenty of hot water at all times in the day. There is a mini bar in the room with a variety of snacks and drinks should you want them.
Didn't try the outdoor pool but went in the indoor pool and the jacuzzi which were both very nice and not at all crowded.
The grounds are very tidy and well maintained and there were lots of plants in bloom, including poinsettias, bougainvilleas and bird of paradise flowers.
Food was available in 2 restaurants, 1 a la carte and the other where a buffet was served nightly. We were half board and after the xmas meals (which were served in the a la carte) we were transferred to the main buffet restaurant for the rest of the week. There was a plentiful choice of food for breakfast and dinner, with a chef cooking fresh food to order. Also you could buy sandwiches, snacks and fries at the outdoor pool bar and also the cocktail bar.
The weather was good for practically all of the week with sunshine and temps of around 20-21, perfect for a xmas break
As stated in other reviews the hotel is high up a hill, thus the fab views ! We walked into town on one occasion, which was a pleasant 25-30 mins stroll. We came back by taxi as we had spent hours walking round town looking at the xmas lights and didn't fancy the uphill trek back ! There is a free courtesy bus run by the hotel but it has to be booked in advance and operates mon-sat.
We had a very pleasant stay and would certainly recommend this hotel.

Now, I'll admit up front that this review will be influenced by the free upgrade to a sea-view room, along with bubbly on ice that we received because we were there to celebrate my wife's 50th birthday (of course, that is hard to believe, as she looks so young !)
Nevertheless, we feel that the Madeira Panoramico is almost without flaw. (The only drawbacks revolve around the slightly out-of-the-way location, but more of that later.)
All staff, without exception, are friendly, cheerful, professional and helpful.
We went bed and breakfast. Breakfast was very good, in the airy buffet restaurant room, with great views over the terrace to the sea and the mountain. Wide selection of good quality hot and cold food laid out, buffet style and chef cooking eggs to order. No fuss, no waiting. Help yourself to everything.
Our room was lovely, with a balcony big enough to hold a table and two chairs. We found it an ideal spot to guzzle the hotel bubbly while gazing at the cruise ships in the harbour.
TV has English-language news channels and a couple of Portuguese channels which show a lot of English-language films with Portuguese subtitles.
Beds were comfortable. Extra blankets were provided, and the room has heating and air conditioning with electronic controls, so you can have exactly the temperature you need.
Minibar well stocked, but enough room for us toi squeeze in a few tins of beer and some milk. (We brought our own travel kettle and tea bags.)
Everything spotlessly clean.
Shower pressure can flay the skin from your back if you like that sort of thing: just turn it up to full!
We visited the hotel bar a couple of times, once when they had a Fado night on. The Fado singer was incredible! Her voice could easily fill a 500-seat theatre, at least, without amplification. Bar prices more expensive than in town, but not not too bad, and you get table service. Bar food is decent and plentiful.
Location: bit of a trek from centre of town; about 30 mins to town and 40 mins back. It takes longer coming back because it is uphill all the way. However, you can book places on the hotel's free minibus shuttle. There is not always space available on this, unfortunately, and it does stop at 6pm. However, public transport is very cheap and reliable and there are bus stops imediately outside the hotel on both sides of the road. Get a 3,5 or 7-day bus ticket from a kiosk in town and ride all you want within Funchal. This also includes going up to Monte, from where the famous tobbogan rides down the mountain begin.
We recomend going on a catamaran whale/dolphin-spotting excursion.
In fact, we went on a few excursions and had a great time. Book direct, in town, not via holiday rep. Avoid the ones which are significantly cheaper than the rest, though, as they include a trip to a timeshare resort, with a high-pressure sales talk.
Go to local hole-in-the-wall bars, if you speak just a little Portuguese: the locals
thought we were a great curiosity and were very keen to talk to us and practice their English. We had great fun ordering beer and toasted sandwiches in Portuguese! These bars are significantly cheaper than the flashy tourist bars. Guzzle the local Coral beer.

First visit to Madeira and by dint of good fortune we found ourselves staying in this excellent hotel. The staff were friendly and efficient. They were kind enough to present us with surprise champagne on ice to celebrate our joint birthday ...still dont know how they knew about this! Also they were very helpful when I contracted the dreaded winter vomiting illness (I hasten to add not their fault in any way). The hotel is situated high in the town giving a superb view, however this does mean transport is needed however the free hotel minibus is readily available during the daytime (except Sunday). Also the Official Sightseeing Tour Yellow Bus stops on the road immediately outside hotel.

I have not been to madeira for 20 years and I returned with my partner and my brother and his wife. It was my brother recommendation to stay at the panaramico. It was Great. The staff and the management could have not done enough to make our stay any more memorable. The facilities at the hotel were fantastic including the free transport into town. I loved the indoor and outdoor pool and the fado singer on Sunday night. I will return to Madeira and I will choose this great hotel. Thank you to you all.