Reviews of Raga Hotel, Funchal, Madeira

Hotel Raga has friendly, helpful...

Overall Rating:

4/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2008

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs N J Phillips

Comments:

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.

This hotel was near to the Lido...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

May 2008

Tour Operator:

Direct Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs L Taylor

Comments:

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).

we were allocation on arrival...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr Rgd Gatt

Comments:

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...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr M D'Abreu

Comments:

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.

The hotel was very nice and...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2007

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr G J Rich

Comments:

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...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mrs S P Kellett

Comments:

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...

Overall Rating:

1/10

Board Basis:

Half Board

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2005

Tour Operator:

Airtours

Submitted By:

Mr A E Kyle

Comments:

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...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2005

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr D Jones

Comments:

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).

A bit run down and old fashioned...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2005

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mr Mike Sandres

Comments:

A bit run down and old fashioned looking, a bit of a high tower blot on the landscape, waiters and a receptionists with the charm of lurch, but apart from that it was OK.



Probably one of the cheapest large hotels in Funchal, but the swimming pool was OK and well maintained, the room was clean comfortable, even if a little poky, but the balcony had terrific views. Breakfast was a scramble, not enough tables to go around, food kept running out and not enough staff to cope.



Generally it provided a value for money positive experience.

The Raga Hotel is ideal if you...

Overall Rating:

7/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Nov 2004

Tour Operator:

Thomson

Submitted By:

Mrs L Marriott

Comments:

The Raga Hotel is ideal if you want a site seeing holiday rather than a hotel base holiday. The rooms are excellent our was a good size and the staff very helpful.



The buffet breakfast also set us up for the day. The hotel facilities are poor the reception area and lounge are small and very hot and the bar had no air conditioning. There was a swimming pool but it was not up to much.



Situation wise it is great opposite the bus stop in the first zone that takes direct into the centre. It’s in the Lido area and there are plenty of restaurants nearby to eat in the evening. We found the Thompsons rep pushy and the organised tour she persuaded us to go on was expensive and poor value. You are much better off going to one of the outside agencies for your trips.



Recommended base for a site seeing holiday, good value and nice rooms.

Tired looking hotel, but cheap...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr D Sparten

Comments:

Tired looking hotel, but cheap & cheerful. Breakfast was very basic and a bit of a free-for-all. Madeira really is a great island, with absolutely wonderful mountainous and sea scenery. Funchal itself is a bit expensive and tacky being a pretty large city. Not for the beach bums or lager louts, and the average age of the tourist here must be over 50. Climate is very good all year around.