Hotel Quinta do Sol

We enjoyed our stay and the building works at the front were not a problem although We stayed at the back overlooking the park. Excellent location 20 mins to centre, plenty of good restaurants at English prices. We enjoyed the old town in particular Django's. Newcommers well advised to book a week's bus pass only 15 Euros, We didn't,and after open-top bus ride spent much more on busses throughout the week. Beware of time share masquerading as information centres.

Good news : comfortable beds, close to town, pleasant staff, little used full size snooker and table tennis facilities, inoffensive decor, quiet fellow guests (average age about 60y), bar prices not greedy, clean pool and sun terrace, good buffet breakfast, view of the sea and the pretty Reid's Hotel from higher floors. Wheelchair access isn't bad (even in bathrooms)although their ramps are steeper than UK guidelines. Emergency pull cords by baths. Booking with Expedia we paid a lot less than others. Not so good news : extensive and, from before 8am Mon- Fri, very noisy building works right in front of the hotel with about another couple of months to run! When completed these buildings may block sea views from rooms on lower floors. The road junction produces a fair amount of noise even throughout the night - the hotel couldn't truthfully be described as "peaceful"! The one evening meal we had at the hotel was really poor value - not even three star! The nearest restaurants offer far better food at lower prices. And yes, the choice of piped music is irritating!

This hotel is a well disguised treasure, we were a little dissapointed by the appearance as we pulled up to the hotel in the coach. There is building work going on in front of the hotel and the green shutters and unpainted facade did tend to put us off a little. When you get inside it's a little gem, rather dated decor, but beautifully clean with extremly helpfull staff who spoke perfect english. We upgraded to a superior room with balcony and sea view and that was exactly what we got, our room was in the new wing, clean with comfortable beds and overlooking the pool. All of the staff were extremly friendly and courteous, the food was excelent from the full English buffet breakfast to the well stocked buffet in the evening, we were half board, but the buffet dinner at 25 Euros would have been real good value. We were there for the New Year celebrations,(Boxing day to 2nd. Jan.)and we were bowled over by the Christmas lights, every street was better than the last, but if we thought they were good, they were nothing in comparison to the fireworks at midnight on New Years Eve. They went on for a full 10 minutes and streached the full length and breadth of Funchal, even out in the harbour there were six tugs setting them off. It was a synchronised pyrotechnic delight, which attracted 12 cruise liners into the harbour to witness them, these included the QE11. When you're there I would recommend the tours to the east and the west for the dramatic and spectacular scenery, it takes your breath away in many places. The visit to the casino is good value, 44 Euros for a five course meal, including a cabaret and as much wine as you can drink with the meal. All in all we had a fabulous holiday not spoiled by the rain, and we will be returning at some time to see the flowers, hopefully to the Quinta do Sol.

this was a second visit for my husband and myself. the staff have always been very helpful and pleasant,second visit we were given a large bowl of friut to welcombe us. although there is a steep hill at the side of the hotel even my husband who has dificulty with walking did manage this a few times,other times we used taxis from the town which we found very reasonable.our room with a balcony was of a good size,niceviews, extremely clean,comfortable beds.besides the pool area there is a roof area if you want to be fairly quiet. the breakfasts have a large selection,hot and cold food and just keep filling your plates till you are full yourself. the same applies to the evening meals where you are always spoilt for choice especially if you like fish.

We found this hotel to be of an 'older design' but very clean, quiet and very friendly. The walk into Funchal is downhill so it is uphill coming back - there are two routes a short steep hill past the docks or a long gentle slope past the park. Either way it is not a long walk. The hotel has an underground car park best suited to the smaller hire cars, nearby is the sauna room and snooker room. There is a good view from the rooftop sun terrace. Our room had a good view of the sea from the hotel room on the second floor. Our room had no balcony, but the full length windows slid back and was just as good - ask for a balcony if you don't mind a smaller room. There is a busy road junction closely, but it never spoilt our sleep even though the building is single glazed. We only had breakfast and there was a good selection on offer - eat as much as you want! The bar was reasonably priced - no complaints. Entertainment was friendly and relaxed, not forced on you. We even received a surprise bottle of bubbly for my wife's birthday as a gift from the management. The staff all spoke good English and were very friendly, helpful and informative over places of interest, restaurants etc. The gardens were well kept and the swimming pool was very clean. Overall it was a positive experience and the hotel compared similar to the big English hotel chains that I have stayed in during business trips.

Spent a week at the Quinta do Sol very recently and on the whole I have no major complaints. We were lucky enough to get a room with a sea view (no balcony but sliding shutters were a more than adequate replacement). The room was also much bigger than what you would expect in holiday accommodation. Just watch out though for the very steep hill outside the hotel, and it is very noisy due to the non-stop traffic to and from the hotel zone. However on the plus side it is one of the best situated hotels in Funchal with only a 15 minute walk to the town centre. Great choice at breakfast time too: everything from continental to the full English. Hotel staff are efficient and helpful. Didn't use the bar or entertainment facilities, the latter seemed too old-fashioned, and we weren't impressed either by the choice or cost of evening meals: go into town (particularly the old town) if you are on a bed and breakfast tariff and you will get much better value. Although the Quinta do Sol may not be up to the standard of some of the newer hotels nearby, it offers a high standard of accommodation, cleanliness, fabulous air-conditioning (a bonus in 30 degree heat let me tell you) great breakfasts, more than adequate pool-area facilities and an unrivalled location. Highly recommended if you want quality and comfort without feeling intimidated by the snobbery of a 4-star rating. Well worth a return visit.

Staff are friendly, but facilities are very, very old. Because the hotel is located close to a big intersection, it is very noisy all the time. Bath is OK, but room is very small(especially bed is small.) Because of its location, it is inconvenient to go to city centre.(Everytime we took a taxi, we had to negotiate with taxidrivers.) In conclusion, this hotel can not be recommend to those who prefer to stay in the hotel rather than going around the island. Actually we decided to move from this hotel to another 4 star hotel with our own expenditure.

I have stayed here twice on a b&b basis. Friendly excellent service It is worth going out to eat Some very good restaurants nearby and in the centre

This hotel is over graded should be a 3star. Buffet meals very expensive for whats on offer Hotel drinks and refreshments also well over priced. Very boring hotel. Not much on offer. Please be aware there is a very steep hill from the town and right outside the hotel to come back from anywhere you need to climb 1 in 5 short hill;.

A lovely 4-star hotel, excellent service, friendly staff. In the tourist zone, close to some of the best restaurants. Happy hour every day (2 for 1), music from fado to classical to folklore or a pianist every evening. Garguantuan buffet breakfast with everything for German, Dutch & British tastes. Over-priced restaurant in the evening for those not paying demi-pension or who do not eat massive amounts. Single rooms facing "garden" are small & have miniscule windows, but if there is space, the staff will change to a double with loggia. All rooms have a mini-fridge, safe, air for a few hours every day, cable TV. The staff will book trips & arrange car hire, confirm flights, etc. Snack bar by pool & a pool-side "gym" that has tired equipment that no one can or will use. My visit was during the high season in August 2002.