Residencial do Vale

We had a nice view of Funchal and the sea, if you get a room with that view. It's also possible to park nearby, though there's no dedicated parking space and you have to find one yourself. The city center is about a 15-minute walk away. The staff were all amazing and easily deserved five stars. They were smiley, offered lots of island tips and good advice, and took time to describe good plans. Our room was clean and well equipped. A great stay at Residencial do Vale.

Ask Andre for recommendations: he'll give you good addresses in town and tips for enjoying the whole island. He's a great host. The place is clearly five-star, with a super convenient spot close to the center, good restaurants, a great massage place, and the area's best pasteis de nata.

The staff were friendly, but the room was super dark and cold at night because the heater wasn't good. The old bed was too hard, and the blankets and pillow were old too. WiFi didn't work 97% of the time. Breakfast was basic and not what I expected for the price. The hotel is on a very steep hill, a 25-30 minute walk uphill or downhill from central Funchal. The bathroom was very old, with paint coming off the wall. There was nowhere to hold the shower head, so I had to hold it myself, and the water heater only worked when it wanted to, leaving me with cold showers some days. The walls were so thin I could hear other people's conversations, snoring, and even peeing, yet I was told I was "being too loud" for playing music on my phone. There are no supermarkets close by. A bottle of water that costs €0.60-€1.00 in markets was €2.50 here. I hated being charged "municipal charges" per night without being told before booking. I feel that should be the hotel's responsibility, not the guests'. So many things mean I'll never go back. For what they offer, I think it should be much cheaper.

The staff were really friendly, and breakfast was basic but good. The hotel is a little old and could use an upgrade. The walk up from Funchal's historical center is quite steep. We're a young couple in good shape, so it didn't bother us, but it might be too steep for some people.