Tivoli Madeira

We booked this hotel at the last minute after having had to cancel our planned holiday to Canada. It was recommended by theThomas Cook travel agent from the Style brochure. We had been to Madeira a couple of times ten years ago and were not exactly thrilled at the idea of returning to the island after several years of longer haul holidays but needed to book something quickly and the hotel looked tempting in the brochure. We found ourselves booking and then wondering if we should have held out for a later last minute bargain elsewhere. Anyway, it turned out to be a great holiday despite security delays on the outward flight. The hotel easily lived up to its brochure description. Our 21year old daughter had originally been allocated a single room in a different part of the hotel but on check-in she was given a much better room near ours. This helpful approach was repeated throughout our stay by all the staff we had contact with. The rooms are comfortable and spacious and the amenities in the hotel are very good. The location is perfect in terms of nearby restaurants, hotels, and the promenade walk. As with any hotel there are a couple of niggles. The air conditioning in our room was not as effective as in our daughter's room, the food at the evening buffet was disappointing (although the breakfasts were fantastic), it was difficult to find free sunbeds by late morning and the made service was a bit erratic. If you are looking for a comfortable hotel in a good location you could do a lot worse. If you haven't been to Madeira for a few years you should be pleasantly surprised by recent developments and improvements. PS If you suffer from vertigo avoid the cable cars.

Just returned from a week at Ocean Park and found it to be a good comfortable hotel. The hotel is in the Lido area and is well situated but the old town in Funchal is about a 30 min walk. During the day the hotel operates a courtesy bus on an hourly schedule but this stops at 6pm however a taxi from the old town only costs about 7 euros. We stayed B&B and only ate in the hotel once in the evening when the buffet was adequate. The breakfasts were excellent with plenty of choice with eggs cooked to order. The hotel was spotless, the staff friendly and while we had a superior room I would agree with some other reviews that some refurbishment or updating is required. The pool area was good we had no problems with sun beds and didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn to reserve them, and the pool staff very helpful with umbrellas and serving drinks and snacks if required. In the evenings we ate mainly in the old town and had several good meals, the atmosphere in Arsenios with the Fado music was brilliant but the food and the service where not really up to standard. One of the highlights for us was afternoon tea at Reids - expensive but well worth it for the experience. The hotel is good probably not 5 star but we had a good holiday and would go back and stay there again, our only reservation with returning is the vacant land on both sides of the hotel which look as if some building work may start in the not too distant future.

My Wife and I stayed at the Tivoli Ocean Park for two weeks from mid-June on. We booked through First Choice holidays and managed to get a pretty good deal all in. Considering the hotel is classed as a 5 star, we think that it is fair to say that the hotel isn’t really in the 5 star league. It’s a nice enough place, with a good level of facilities such as outdoor and indoor pool, gymnasium, health spar, exercise room, internet suite (free!), reception bar and evening bar, daytime café and evening restaurants. The hotel was clean and the staff are generally helpful, friendly and courteous. For us the things that let it down are that the rooms are a little tired. We stayed in a ‘Standard Deluxe Room’ on the second floor. It was clean and thankfully didn’t smell of smoke – our pet hate. However, the carpet was a little marked, the alarm cord in the shower was going black, the shower head fell apart and the curtains kept snagging on the rails and the curtain hangers would break. The blackout curtain, which was (almost) fixed to the main curtain with Velcro spent most of its life on the floor. The sink blocked a few times too, but they did endeavour to fix most of these items while we were there. This all sounds possibly worse than it was, they were mostly minor annoyances really, but this is unexpected for a hotel of its class. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be enough sun loungers or space around the pool to cater for all the guests, so the more unscrupulous guests would endeavour to get up at the crack of dawn to drop their towels on the loungers. Quite often they would then not return to the scene of the crime till late morning, much to the irritation of the other guests having to sit in the shade of the building. After several complaints from guests, the hotel finally decided to police the matter and some kind of normality returned. Breakfast was very impressive! There was a very good selection of cereals, fresh fruit, cooked breakfast, cold meats and rolls or cakes from the breakfast buffet. The attention of the staff was very good. A real treat to start every day with. The free internet suite (2 computers in small room adjacent to the reception- gets a bit hot though) meant to say that we could keep in contact with family and friends at home. There is a free courtesy bus down into main Funchal, but the town is also close enough to walk to, about 20-25 mins away. The beds are nice and comfortable. There is a safe in the room and there is also a fridge/mini bar, which we stocked up with most of our own stuff! We can’t comment on the evening meals at the Hotel as we always like to get out and about in the evenings. Restaurants around the hotel district are on a whole very good indeed and you can generally find whatever type of cuisine might take your fancy, as well as Madeira style. Restaurants to note were: Brasserie (below the Hotel), Il Basilico (below Porto Mare Hotel), Tokos (along main strip towards town), China Town (Monumental Lido), Khan’s (short walk behind Monumental Lido). Excellent service in all and really good food . Downtown Funchal is a really pretty with plenty to do and see, although there is not a lot for children to do really. Places that you must visit are: Botanical Gardens (simply marvellous!), Monte (take the cable car), Museu Quinta Das Cruzes, Municipal Gardens (impressive), Wine Museu. We did try a restaurant in the old town (Zona Velha) one evening, competition is stiff, so be prepared for a lot of badgering as you walk by. However, we were disappointed with our meals here and much preferred the peace and better quality restaurants around the Monumental district. Still, you must try it for the experience. It is an absolute must to get out and about to truly experience Madeira. The topography and ecology on the island is absolutely amazing and should not be missed! We find renting a car is the best way to see any place whilst on holiday. That way you can get to savour the sights, and not be stuffed into a coach and herded into places and cafes that the reps have deals with! Places that you should see on the isle: Pico Do Areiero/Pico Ruivo (top of the world!), Curral Das Freiras (Nuns Valley – looking down on), Cabo Girao (edge of the world!), Rabical/Risco Falls (long walk, but worth it), Grutas De Sao Vicente (caves and story of how volcanic Madeira was formed – centre of the world!), North Coast Road (a great drive) taking in Porto Moniz, Sexial, Sao Vicente, Arco De Sao Jorge (visit the Museu Vinho E Da Vinha), Santana, Ribeiro Frio. Madeira really is a delightful place, quite safe, it has a lot to offer and everyone is really friendly. However, don’t go to Madeira if you want sandy beaches, as there aren’t any, and sun, sun, sun, as it can have a habit of clouding over in the afternoons.

Have just returned from 2 weeks at Ocean Park. Very disapointed with evening meals, very poor selection, hardly any veg and ' hot' food was only warm. My husband became extremely ill, on third night after dinner and had only eaten at the hotel scince being there. am sure it was the prawns. Never once looked forward to the evening meals and breakfast wasn't that good either,just passable. we go on holidays abroad 4 times a year, staying at 4 and 5 star hotels, Ocean Park is not up to 5 star standard. I would expect far better meals in a 4 star than in this '5' star hotel. The rooms also were not 5 star standard but adequate and were spotlessly clean, the maids did an excellent job and all staff pleasant and courteous. Hotel is in a good position by the sea and has a very pleasant pool area. Nothing much going on in the evenings and the show in Moonlight Bar on thursdays, is not worth going to. We did enjoy our stay in Madeira and apart from the meals, would class this hotel as quite a good 4 star but will not be returning to it. We are not the type of people who go on holiday looking for faults but hope this will help anyone thinking of going to this hotel, if only to make them realise it would be better to book bed and breakfast and not half board.

We stayed at hotel for a week in April 2006. This was our 2nd visit to this hotel which indicates how much we liked it and Madeira. Hotel is large but well-run and staff are friendly, so it doesn't have 'airport' feel despire its size. Originally, we were worried about hotel location in case it was too far from centre of Funchal, but in fact there is cheap, excellent bus service into centre and we were glad we weren't staying in bustle of main Funchal. Positives * Madeira is very scenic island. Loved levada walks, Monte Palace Gardens, Botanical Gardens and new cable car to Gardens. * Welcoming locals - English spoken everywhere Watchouts * No beaches - bathing is pool based * Everywhere hilly so less suitable for anyone with mobility issues or a pushchair * Funchal has character, but don't expect a quaint little place - very much a working, bustling town. The Old Town is only a couple of streets. * Restaurants we ate in were all good without being exceptional. Old Town eating is a safe bet but only tourists - Arsenios with fado is good fun. We ate in a couple of places near the hotel on the sea promenade front which were better than some Old Town places. Unimpressed with restaurants near hotel on the main road side.

Firstly nice area and location. A good handful of nice restaurants surround the hotel on the seafront, however there is no beach. Hotel, main problem is food. It is tasteless. Room service couldn't even cook chips, they came hard and the burger was full of oil. YUK! Not what you expect in a 5 star. So you may think it will be ok to come here on a bed and breakfast basis. Well, breakfast was just as bad! Not as much choice as some 4 stars I have gone to. About 50%. And when you go to a 5 star one does expect gourmet food or at the very least nice tasty food, simple, do not eat here. And not surprisingly, at breakfast they were serving watered down orange juice!! Yes, in a 5 star hotel!! Overall, if you want 5 star luxury THIS IS NOT IT. it is a good 3 or 4 star property. Rooms are fairly dull and dated. It has a nice indoor and outdoor pool, games room for snooker and pool. Taxis are relatively cheap. Airport anything between 25-30 Euros. 2 shopping centres, one is a 10 minute walk up the main street with Zara and Mango and the other is a 15 minute taxi drive away in the hills (about 8 Euros) which is a nice little break for a few hours or so but you could go round these shops in 45 mins. Restaurants surrounding hotel: Brassiere is the best which is basically underneath the swimming pool! You have to walk past the pool, and towards the sea and it is on your right. Great food and half the price than the hotel! Also around the area there is a nice pizza/pasta place which is further down towards the sea (a few steps down). That's about it, remember this is not a 5 star property and doesn't look or feel like one either. I have stayed in 4 stars that are 100% better. Enjoy.

This hotel got a 4 star rating in our brochure and we expected as such. WRONG ...5 star all the way. the staff were fantastic , the room beyond expectations and on top of that Madeira has to be one of the most beautiful Islands anywhere. will be back next year.

My mother, son and myself had a week here recently. A bit of a rocky start, but eventually got the rooms we'd requested, go for the ground floor rooms and specify a pool view, there's only a few of them, but they're definately the best for access to the facilities and views. Probably my only complaint is that the outdoor pool isn't heated, making it impossible to use most of the year. Fabulous staff, you only have to walk by the pool and someone's there getting you a sunlounger, towel and parrasol. Ok food, dine in on the theme nights as they put a lot of effort into the authenticity of the entertainment. I must say, DON'T GO to Madeira if you're looking for anything remotely lively, my 13 year old was absolutely bored stiff and described it as a 'Pensioners Paradise!'

My mother and I had the good fortune to stay at this wonderful hotel last April. We have travelled extensively over Europe, and been lucky enough to stay at some of the best hotels. However, this was by far the most enjoyable. The view as you enter the hotel lobby took our breath away, and the staff could not have been more welcoming upon arrival, and indeed throughout our entire stay. Ok, the bar is a little pricey. But what do you expect in a 5 star hotel offering one-to-one service? The bar staff are courteous and attentive without being patronising (a problem you can often encounter in other 5 star hotels) and bring your drinks to your table. Bowls of olives and little tasty nibbles also add that bit extra whilst you can enjoy the view and listen to the unobtrusive piano playing. Our room was impeccably clean with a lovely view of the pool and coastline. (If you are unlucky enough to get a small room with a less than perfect view, why don't you ask to be moved when you are there?!). Food was top notch. A good choice to suit all tastes, and I am a particularly fussy eater. The restaurant was very pleasant in the mornings for breakfast which often resulted in a more than leisurely start to our mornings. Our table was always spotless, and we only had to make eye contact with a member of staff to have our used cutlery cleared away. We also enjoyed snacks at the pool side bar which we felt to be reasonanbly priced. Again, you can have something simple but tasty. One of the highlights which I strongly recommend is afternoon tea at the famous Reid's Hotel. If you are a fan of times gone by and relish a bit of nostalgia, it is worth splashing out. We felt that Agatha Christie would come round the corner at any minute! You also want to make the most of any trips up to the mountains, including the levada walks and the exhilerating toboggan ride! If you are a couple, of any age, and fancy a bit of luxury whilst in Madeira and a break away from all the trials and tribulations of life, stay here. If you are a family with young children, I would say this isn't the hotel for you. Let the children grow up first and then come and spend their inheritance here. Well done Tivoli. We will be back.

We've just returned from a week on Madeira island, at the Tivoli Ocean Park hotel. We absolutely loved it. As soon as you walk into the reception you feel welcome. There are two levels to the reception - the bar and front desk with a view of the pool and sea beyond (quite spectacular) and a lower level with couches galore to sit on a rainier day with a coffee and a book. The hotel staff are extremely friendly and made you feel very much at home. I'd agree with other reviewers in that the breakfast buffet is fantastic! but I would recommend the local restaurants instead for dinner. Tokos was the highlight - but do try the other restaurants around for a pleasant surprise. They often work out a lot cheaper than the hotel, and more varied. Looks are often a little misleading - I would keep an open mind and try as many as you can. You will be rewarded. My partner and I are in our late twenties, and loved the island. Do be warned though - that even we felt a little woosey on the local transport, as they have quite a care-free driving style on the steep windy roads. My only gripe with the hotel would be that a few of the assets of the hotel are a little worn and in need of repair, but Im sure this is on the cards soon! Fully recommended for couples of all ages!