Madeira Turim Santa Maria Hotel

Room 507 was great, really clean, spacious and up to date, with a nice layout and not much to complain about. The hotel looks good too, from the lobby and hallways to the elevators and rooftop. Its central spot puts restaurants, markets, ATMs, supermarkets and cafes within walking distance. If you're a light sleeper, you might hear traffic in the morning. I'd also have liked an iron and ironing board in the room instead of having to ask for them. Still, it's a great choice.

The rooftop gave us an excellent place to watch the New Year fireworks, and the location was the clear high point of our three-night stay. At the price, though, the rest didn't feel worth it, and I wouldn't recommend the hotel unless location is your main priority. We paid for half board, breakfast and dinner, which was expensive, but the food was mediocre at best. The coffee and orange juice weren't freshly made. Service was disappointing too, with several staff members seeming somewhat rude. The omelette station at breakfast was especially frustrating. On the first morning I asked for everything except meat and got a plain egg omelette with no vegetables. Another morning, we clearly ordered two with all the vegetables and no meat, one with cheese for me and one without for my wife. Hers was right, but unevenly seasoned and extremely salty in places. Mine came plain again. Staff didn't ask about preferences, and even when we explained, the orders were still wrong. We've never had that happen elsewhere.

It's quiet, and the room was comfortable and clean, with a south-facing balcony, safe and fridge. The bathroom was spotless and breakfast was good. The Mercado is only a few minutes away on foot, and if we return to Madeira we'd stay here again. For a four-star hotel, the penny-pinching was disappointing. Toiletries were low quality, so bring your own shampoo. The breakfast machine made the worst coffee I've ever had in a hotel, and the WiFi was erratic and sometimes slow when uploading photos.

The staff were helpful, and we had a spacious room. Good breakfast and a pool were nice extras 😇. It's also well placed for walking to the old town, with free or cheap parking nearby.