Residence Porto Mare Hotel, Funchal, Madeira
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £152
Hotel Description:
The Residence Porto Mare offers a world of comfort and privacy in a truly exclusive atmosphere part of the Porto bay hotels and resorts group of hotels. Boasting a quiet sea front location, the Residence Porto mare is one of the units included in the Villa Porte Mare resort - guests can enjoy all the leisure facilities and the excellent spa available on-site within the resort. Studios -one-bedroom apartments as well as two bedroom apartments - all decorated with care and attention to detail - reflecting an exotic feeling and introducing a highly innovative holiday, divide the accommodation units. loading...
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Residence Porto Mare Hotel Reviews
During August 2006 we were staying at Vila Camacho (a 2* rated hotel) and ventured to Porto Mare Hotel for a 45 minute talk about timeshares. We did this with the intention of getting 40 eoros off our trips. After an hour, we were impressed and wanted to know more. (We did feel slightly under dressed as were planning on going to the Lido afterwards!) My partner does not like parting with cash but was enticed. Me, as a school teacher, was limited as to the weeks we could have a timeshare. Whilst our guide was off checking the weeks available, we took the plunge and agreed to buying. It cost us £3,400 for a 10 year lease for week 33 (Mid August) until August 2016. It was perfect as we intended on visiting the island several times and as we take our main holiday at Easter (we're avid cruisers) we wanted a chill out week in the summer; somewhere that we knew and we didn't want the hassle of searching (and bickering) about where to spend our week break. It was the best decision we made, especially as we were allowed to use all facilities from signing the agreement that afternoon! Beats a dirty pool at Vila Camacho (I spent a week seriously ill in hospital the day after I rrived back because of it!)
Anyways the facilities are first class. We have a 1 bed apartment. There is a long corridor into the apartment with large fitted wardrobes on the right. On the left is the bathroom (large walk-in shower, two sinks, toilet, bidet, large bath with shower, bathrobes) and further down the kitchen (oven, fridge freezer, microwave, electric hob, dishwasher, coffee making machine, basically a full kitchen!) then the dining area (4 chairs & table) the sitting area (coffee table, settee, two chairs, side tables with BIG lamps, standing lamp, wide screen TV with CD/DVD player and surround sound, floor to ceiling window, french doors to balcony). From the sitting room is the bedroom (2 queen sized beds pushed together, TV, dressing table, wardrobe, drawers, bedside tables, lamps, door to the bathroom and french doors to the balcony which has tables and chairs). What apartment do you know has all that?
There are several pools, indoor and outdoor. One of which has a waterfall and whirlpool. There is a poolside bar serving drinks and snacks. The outdoor pool is freeformed and there are various quiet sunbathing areas and an aviary! Resident guests can use all facilities of the Porto Mare Hotel and Eden Mar, two hotels. In fact all are interlinked. There's a Spa, tennis courts, children's playground, mini golf, toddler indoor play area, which some say is better equipped that some British nurseries. There are about 4/5 restaurants on site; all of which serve fantastic food. There is a courtesy bus into Funchal but I prefer the 25 minute walk.
Funchal is well spread out and very hilly. If you don't like walking much the bus service is cheap and frequent; a rare thing for Brits to see! There are loads of restaurants. I recommend a trip to the fish market. But go early.
There are plenty of trips. Last year we did the bus tours which were great. We recently did two walks in the mountains' One of which was hot and sunny and involved a walk to some waterfalls and through a 1km tunnel! Take a torch. The other, was wet and cool and very scary. Some walks don't have rails. You have been warned! Both enjoyable. Just wear sensible shoes (trainers or walking shoes NOT sandals even the walking variety).
We're off again in four days (18th Aug) for our second year. On Thurs 21st August we're looking forward to Funchal's big parade of classic cars, military personnel, fireworks etc.