Raga Hotel

16 readers found this review helpful

We went to Madeira for our 40th Wedding Anniversary and have come home after enjoying a good restfull holiday @ The Raga
The hotel was very clean, rooms were a good size and we could not really find fault with anything at the hotel. Maids came into the room each day to tidy up etc and were very friendly.
Madeira was a very beautifull island and was better than we expected. Plenty of places to eat nearby within 5 minutes walk and using public transport to go into either Funchal or along the coast to the west of Funchal was easy and cheap.
Would recommend getting a Giro card which costs 60 cents and load the card up with a few journeys - you can then travel into Funchal for 90 cents a journey.
The locals were all very friendly and spoke good English

7 readers found this review helpful

Took a last minute holiday to Madeira. Airport transfers quick and cases even arrived in Hotel Bedroom effortessly. Spacious rooms with proper matresses on twin beds which were very comfortable. Buffet breakfasts taken leisurly and no problem for staff setting tables on the balcony to sit outside,and what a view! The pool was immaculate and true to their word that it was heated even in January and easy to swim every day. The tour of the mountain walk at 6,000ft was out of this world. Mini bus takes you up to that level and guides made us feel very safe, although it is very steep both up and down with hundreds of stairs it's easier than made out in the Strawberry World leaflets.
Lots of buses in and around Funchal which take the effort out of the hills.
Don't go to Antionios to eat as food is poor quality and wine very overpriced. Fabulous food in Manuel's on the sea front near the Lido

2 readers found this review helpful

Hotel Raga has friendly, helpful staff, it is spotlessly clean and the pool area is great. Breakfast was of a good standard but we didn't try the evening meal as I must admit it didn't look all that special. It was very difficult to get vegetarian meals in any restaurant although we did see a veggie restaurant at the end of our stay!! The only place you could get drinks in the hotel in the evening was at the pool area and although this was nice, it's a pity they didn't make use of the facilities they already had upstairs in the restaurant area. Also entertainment was poor and these were negative factors of this holiday. However these were minor details and the overall standard of the hotel and holiday were excellant and fabulous value for money. Madeira is a beautiful place although very hilly. We had a very relaxing time and I would certainly recommend Madeira and Hotel Raga as a good holiday destination.

3 readers found this review helpful

This hotel was near to the Lido and a short bus journey from Funchal. On the positive side it was very clean; the staff were helpful. No notice boards in Reception about when to expect the Tour Representative.
Top tip - purchase a bus ticket for 50 cents and local bus rides then cost 85 cents each instead of 2 Euros. (this system is similar to buying an Oyster Card for London transport).

1 reader found this review helpful

we were allocation on arrival min 3*, however we were allocated the raga a 4*, and we really loved this hotel, it had 9 floors, and we were on the 4th with a sea view, there was very few brits here for the most scandinavians, food was great and the staff, a nice pool area, and it never gets too hot in madeira, the say madeira is not for the infirm because of the very steep roads there, you don't see many young people holidaying there,, we found this lovely little bar close to the hotel which served lovely local dishes and we ate there every night, hired a car for 3 days to see the island good fast roads there, hardly any beaches to be found, i was there for my 50th birthday, on returning to our room from a night out , i noticed something on the table it was a bottle of champagne and a card from the hotel wishing me a happy birthday, they must have got it from my passport when we checked in, what a nice thought. what i didn't like was the time share touts outside the hotels, a trip up on the hot air ballon is a must, its on a fixed cable, then the cable car up to the top of the mountain then come down on the infamous sledge run not to be missed, all in all great holiday

We found the Hotel Raga a worthwhile experience, after reading some of the negative press, its staff were always charming, the room was of good value for the money we paid.
Restaurant was well staffed with breakfast fare to suit most tastes I believe.
The bus stop was within easy reach of the hotel, but the odd walk into Funchal was well worth it.
Time share reps are out and about mainly on a Tuesday, but for the ninety minutes we spent with them we had a free night out at the Casino including a splendid meal, so don't be put off.
Local restaurant both in the lido area and Funchal were excellent we were spoilt for choice, you just have to try the local fish Espada, also called scabbard fish.
All in all a wonderful experience, and the Raga played its part.

1 reader found this review helpful

The hotel was very nice and first impressions were good. We had upgraded to a sea view and the view was superb.
The rooms were a good size and spotlessly clean for the whole of our stay. The whole hotel was pristine as was the pool. It was nice to see that towels were provided at the pool which was a good size.
We were on the sixth floor and with the doors closed and the air conditioning on it was very quiet. There were a lot of steps but I needed the exercise! Breakfast was a bit samey but good and lots of choice.
Plenty of good restaurants close to the hotel and I would recommend the Paradise restaurant 500 metres towards town on the right hand side.

Newly re-furbished Raga Hotel was an excellent base for our week in Funchal.
The restaurant and its staff were excellent.
Apart from some small niggles, not much space around wash basin and lack of storage in bedroom, the room was very nice and was kept clean and tidy.
Nice pool area with ample sun loungers and pleasant surrounds.
Easy access to local buses which are excellent and well worth using. In general, a really good choice of hotel and location.

The Raga is a dated hotel I reviewed the reports and must say I was sceptical about going there but give it a try?
My wife and I found the hotel not at all to our liking the 4 flights of steps to reception where a put off then the shock of the room the smell of damp and decay became unbearable the green bathroom blended well with the black mould between the bathroom tiles, the extractor fan and light where not working the carpet and fixtures where stained with spillages of liquid from previous guests (not cleaned)
The dining room was also smelling of damp and decay the staff apart from the lady receptionist was the only member of staff who spoke to us during our one night stay, the rest of the staff where oblivious of our presence the gourmet restaurant was shut, the buffet was changed to a set menu of bland tasting food, the whole place was not a good experience at all.
The Raga boast a 4 star rating we rate it as a poor 2 star
Thank god we where moved the following day as we where prepared to fly home this was the first impression of Madeira
I am now sure this Hotel is in a class of it's own.
There are great Hotels all over this lovely Island.

Hotel a little tired but very clean, and staff friendly. However we found the MAIN road, which is situated between the hotel and the sea to be very noisy in our 6th floor room.
The only quiet time seemed to be between 0300 to 0600 hrs. As a result of the traffic noise we had to keep the balcony door closed all night. Even so the noise was still disruptive and the room very hot as there was no aircon. As a result our quality of sleep was poor throughout our 2 week stay.
Summary - Cheap, good value but recommended only if traffic noise does not bother you. (seemed quieter on the lower floors).