Vila Casa Branca

The restaurant served nice, extravagant food, and the staff were friendly. We had a beautiful, relaxing holiday in lovely surroundings. The gym is well equipped, but the sauna, steam bath, and jacuzzi weren’t anything special. The suite’s jacuzzi bathtub won’t fit two adults comfortably for a bath together. There were two small TVs, no extra bedside outlets or USB sockets, and the fresh fruit in the room wasn’t replenished daily. Small things, but things I’d expect from a hotel in this category. The venue and garden are beautiful, though the rooms could be more up to date for comfort and luxury.

The property is stunning and wonderfully quiet, yet still within walking distance of restaurants and other seaside properties and activities. I stayed here with a friend in August, and we had a great time. When our A/C stopped working, the hotel sent a technician right away. They couldn’t fix it, so they moved us to a much larger suite for the rest of our stay at no charge. I also left two diamond rings behind without realizing it. The cleaning staff reported them, management contacted me straight away, and they went out of their way to help return them. It took months because of tariffs in the US, but they kept helping. Both during and after our visit, the staff made us feel welcome and looked after. I’d gladly return.

We’ve visited several times, and the staff are attentive in a beautiful setting. The bathrooms are starting to look tired and dated. Dining choices have also narrowed: The Manor House offers an expensive dining experience, while the other restaurant has a bar-style menu that doesn’t change. We chose to eat at an excellent local restaurant instead, where the food was better value and there were daily specials.

It’s about a 30-minute walk to central Funchal, though you can take a bus or get an Uber for about £8. The welcome was lovely, and reception staff were helpful. Rooms are large and have everything you need. We also liked the restaurant/cafe and had an excellent breakfast. The hotel sits in stunning gardens.