As others have said great place very helpful staff, in fact one of the nicest places I have stayed at in a while on a chill out break.There is no point in repeating what others have said ,apart from do not go half board the extra dose not justify the food choice/quality which was sad to say poor.But having said that would I go back " in a heart beat "

As many others have said this is a good hotel. Clean rooms, fantastic views, good pool and gardens but it really is spoilt by the attached restaurant.
The half board menu looks a better option. If you eat a la carte it is, in my opinion at least, poor with average food, indifferent service and high prices.
We discovered too late how cheap taxis were back from the old town - 8 to 10 euros depending on the time.
We spent less eating at places like The Yellow Fort,Mozart and Londres in the town than we did at the hotel restaurant even taking into account the taxi back. Two of those included wine, which was frequently topped up,amuse bouche, sorbet, coffee, water and digestif and the quality of food was far superior.
Londres included some kind of broad bean taster, olives and bread without charge and felt more authentically Madeiran than most.
By all means stay at The Ocean Gardens but eat elsewhere.

We stayed in june at this lovely hotel booked a bay view room small but nice. Had the half board option the food was great with fish choice on the menu every night.Lovely pool & gardens plenty of room to sitout some times we were in the clouds with being so high. Good bus service & hotel bus to Funchal.Only downside is there is nowhere to walk much at night.Had a small problem with aircon that leaked reception staff very good got moved to a upgrade for last two nights.Breakfast could be better not 4star.

I agree with all the good things that other guests have written, It is in the hills and from the pool and gardens you can see the city centre and harbour. The bus is a number 39 and stops outside the hotel costing 1 euro 90 per trip. I went on the 2pm courtesy bus into Funchal and purchased a 7 day ticket for unlimited travel on the city buses for 21 euros at a kiosk near the cable car end of town.
The hotel is very quiet and few staff can be seen, if one wants a drink or sandwich at the poolside simply choose from a menu on a nearby table and phone 333 from the phone to order.
The reception staff are very helpful and gave us a bus timetable for the no. 39 bus.
The only thing that lets it down is the food which has been covered by other guests.
I will stay again as I loved the hotel which not very old and is all marble floored with superb public areas with comfy seating etc.