Reviews of Quinta Do Sol Hotel, Funchal, Madeira

A married couple in their late...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2007

Tour Operator:

Newmarket Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr R L RUSSELL

Comments:

A married couple in their late 40's visiting Madeira for the first time. As we live at Lossiemouth in Moray, direct flights are a rare occurance but we managed to get one direct flight from Aberdeen with Newmarket Holidays on a Charter Holiday with Astreaus Airlines. The hotel does look rather 'grim' with its Green/Gray concrete facia but once inside the decor is pleasant and charming.



Reception staff were very helpful and polite. We were allocated a room in the new wing with a side facing balcony (no sea view but lovely well maintained gardens). Stayed on a B& B basis and buffet breakfast of good quality. Peak time for breakfast were between 0830 to 0930 hrs. Fairly quieter between 7.30 and 8 am. Room was clean and tidy and well maintained during our 7-day visit.



Hotel location was close to the busy central road and close to Reid's Palace Hotel and the Pestana Miramar Hotel/Complex. Ideal location and central within 25 min walk to the Harbour area and 20 min walk to the Lido. Frequent yellow buses pass along the main road for those that want wheels into the centre and bus stn area (10 min bus ride). From here you are within easy walking of the Old Town. As a non-smoker I was taken back by the smoking still allowed in the lounge/bar area. (Bearing in mind its nearly 2 years since it was deemed socially not-on in Scotland!) As the hotel is close to numerous eating out restaurants, we did not dine in the hotel.



Only negative side of things was the evening chorus of background barking of dogs somewhere up the hill-side. However this is out with the control of the hotel. Overall a score of 8/10. Main attribute was the excellent service of the friendly staff. Oh nearly forgot - you don't get a tea/coffee tray in the room and don't forget your travel iron. A 4* Hotel Grading in Funchal is not directly equivalent to a UK 4* - but the weather is definitely nicer! Enjoy.

Following the lonely vigil of my...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr T Wiggins

Comments:

Following the lonely vigil of my 2005 review in this section of the hotel review, my wife and I visited this hotel again in January of 2007.



We found a bowl of fruit in our room and a Welcome Back card. Even more pleasing the Receptionist and two of the regular bar staff welcomed us as long lost friends. We were there last January but, many others must have passed through since.



Even more perceptive and pleasing, on my wife's birthday, we found a bottle of Champagne and suitable glasses in our room. The Front Office must have noticed the birth date in her passport and without any action on our part arranged the present.



This and the general friendliness of the hotel which is apparent to most guests make this a very pleasant place to stay.



The overall appearance of the concrete structure of the building is frankly shabby. But, the cleanliness of the rooms both public and private and pool area and garden is exemplary.



The convenience of being within comfortable walking distance (for two in their seventies) to the centre of Funchal and being next to the public park and sports facilities of the Quinta Magnolia make this small and well equipped hotel exemplary.



We would recommend B&B terms for, as well as the hotel restaurant; there is a plethora of excellent bars and restaurants within a few minutes walking distance. If you can don't specify a sea view room as one at the back overlooking The Quinta Magnolia is quieter.



Certainly hope to return soon!

My wife and I are frequent...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jan 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr T Wiggins

Comments:

My wife and I are frequent visitors to Madeira and The Quinta do Sol is and has been our first choice of hotel.



Convenient walking distance form Funchal centre Adequate facilities bearing in mind star rating and relatively small size of hotel. Quinta Magnolia (public park and garden) adjoins hotel and effectively increases hotel facilities.



Buffet breakfast very adequate but, buffet evening meal poor value compared with plethora of excellent restaurants and bars a few minutes away. Recommend B and B and dining out with hotel restaurant as fall back.



Have stayed in many Madeiran hotels and this one suits us. Sadly roads adjacent to hotel are now very, very busy but, not so bad for us to consider seriously an alternative hotel.



Rooms we have stayed in have been clean and reasonably furnished and staff adequately helpful. Loud music in the limited public area can be a nuisance but, firm complaint usually abates this trouble. As elsewhere music is often the choice of the staff rather than the guests.



Have booked for Christmas 2005 and New Year and trust the

at the Quinta will suit us again.