Hotel Amparo

The breakfast alone will stick with me, it was heavenly. The hotel is a charming little place in a great spot, and our room was spotless and tidy. It’s in an old building, so it isn’t soundproof; noisy guests could make nights difficult if they yell in the hall or slam doors. But for the price, I thought it was a fabulous stay. If an older building bothers you, a newer apartment hotel might suit you better.

Machico is lovely, and the location was absolutely brilliant. The bread rolls at breakfast were amazing, though the rest of the continental selection was pretty basic, and there were lots of fruit flies. We were put in an apartment separate from the hotel. It felt old and dated, the beds were like concrete, and the pillows smelled as if countless people had slept on them. There weren’t normal hotel amenities, and if you’re coming from the UK, there’s no kettle. Staff didn’t speak much English, but hey, it’s Madeira, so I shouldn’t complain.

We’d stay again. Room 12 on the third floor was clean, and it had a nice balcony with enough room for two to sit comfortably. The hotel is well situated, with plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby and free street parking just a few meters away. Breakfast was self-serve, with cold cuts, sliced cheese, good bread, jam, Nutella and other spreads, fruit like apples, melon and oranges, cereal, and cake. The coffee machine made excellent lattes and cappuccinos. Our only issue was the bathroom door, which had no doorknob, so we used the trash bin to keep it shut. The owners were nice.

We got a very good price for one night for two. Check-in and check-out were quick and easy, and the accommodation is conveniently close to everything in town, with taxis near the main street. There’s plenty of parking too, though it’s all paid. Breakfast had a reasonable selection, but vegetarians had limited choices, and vegans even fewer.