Madeira Regency Palace Hotel

4 readers found this review helpful

The hotel could do with a bit of TLC, carpets were stained and torn in places, a lick of paint needed in places. The room was light and airy with a good sea view, the bed was two single beds put together. The buffets were not good, on the seafood night, it was tinned sardines and crabsticks, in a country with ample sea food, this was very poor. The indoor pool was supposed to be 24 degrees, but it was quite cold.
The things to be aware of is the so called security, in the rooms is a safe which is opened by the same key that opens the door to the room. We had over £300 sterling stolen, the hotel were very rude and indignant, saying it had not happened before and we could call the police but we would`nt get anywhere, the attitude of the assistant manager that was on duty was terrible. We are taking it further. We would certainly not stay at that hotel again but will definately go to Madeira again and stay somewhere else.
One thing to be careful of is the toboggan ride from the Botanical Gardens, what you are not told is they do not go all the way down, so you either have a very steep 5km walk to the bottom or get a taxi which just happen to be waiting at the end of the run.

6 readers found this review helpful

I read many reviews prior to our two week stay at the Regency Palace which provided a concensus that the hotel was more akin to a 4.5 star rather than the advertised
5 star. Having now returned I can now willingly add my thoughts. The hotel was a very nice quality hotel with all the facilities you would expect from a 5 star hotel. There were many large pluses and some generally small minuses. The hotel is just 11 years old, very attractive and in a very good spot near the sea with wonderful views. Access can be a bit challenging due to the steepness of the site, many steps!. From earlier reviews I expected a hotel which was tired and in need of refurbishment. I didnt find that at all. It looked fresh and well maintained, even at this stage of the (long)season. Perhaps some carpets in a few areas would benefit from a clean but these were the exception. The staff and service was very friendly and professional and deserved the praise other guests volunteered. The hourly courtesy coach into Funchal was first class. The food was of a high standard and with a very wide choice. Nothing was too much trouble for the catering staff. Rooms were pleasantly large and well serviced. Entertainment was good with a wide variety of singers, dancers and piano music, even through breakfast!. The hotel was only about 30% occupied during our stay so there was never a rush for poolside beds or dining tables of which there were many. My one significant complaint is regarding bar prices. They were very steep indeed even for a hotel of this standing. They were over double the prices charged by some local restaurants and bars. This had the effect of many guests just not using the bar very much or just buying one or two drinks and sitting them out until the music finished at around 11oclock. Towels were of a poor standard. No WIFi in rooms?. Only two internet terminals in the hotel which were always busy. In summary there were far more positive things to say about this hotel than negatives. I would definately recommend this hotel and very willingly revisit. Overall I assess the hotel as a very good 4.5 star.

1 reader found this review helpful

Wonderful views, excellent rooms good food. Super Madeira. We had a 2 bedroom appartment with balcony and sea views. The service was very good. Madiera is a lovely Island, we had a taxi driver for the day for Euros 105...he took us where the coaches wouldn't go, to local restaurants and small local shops. We were there for the Flower Festival which was magnificent. Our 2nd time in Madeira and would go again.

4 readers found this review helpful

My wife and I regularly visit Madeira and always stay at the Regency Palace. We have been visitors since 2000 and the beauty and friendliness of the island and its people never seems to diminish.
The Regency Palace is a beautiful hotel built in the Portuguese colonial style. We have stayed in a one bed roomed and two bed roomed apartment and have not been disappointed in either. The facilities of the hotel are well kept and the staff unobtrusively attentive. We have noticed that the same staff are there each year which would indicate that they are happy with their work as there is not a high unemployment rate on the island.
I would recommend this hotel to anyone if they want a beautiful holiday without the normal quota of drunken louts to spoil your enjoyment.
Everyone should go once and make their own mind up.

Everything at this resort was well maintained and of excellent quality. Staff members were very helpful and friendly. The courtesy bus into Funchal was useful and the local bus service was good value if you didn't want to wait for the courtesy bus.
The restaurant was more expensive than eating out but worth a visit at least once during your holiday. The three swimming pools had plenty sunbeds and lots of space around them so we never felt overcrowded.
We underwent the timeshare sales talk as part of our holiday deal and there was no pressure applied. They explained what was on offer and we could say either yes or no without any pressure. I have to say that the standard of the hotel facilities put more pressure on us to buy than the sales staff did.
Looking at the other reviews for this hotel it is obvious that the review which mentions crossing a bridge into the neighbouring Carlton is in fact referring to the Regency Club and not the Regency Palace. I trust that the website maintenance staff will reallocate that review to the correct hotel.
I would have no hesitation in recommending the Regency Palace to anyone and have already done so to several close friends.

A poor and Tired Hotel/time share apartments, unpleasant and sharp reception Staff, on a busy main road into Funchal, on a steep Hill, one to avoid. ( the Swimming pool is out of Commission, Summer 2005).
To use the neighbouring Carlton facilities one must negotiate a bridge then a wall.
the main reception area is poorly presented, seating past the sell by date.

Four of us went to the resort for the first time and really enjoyed our visit to Madiera. The Madiera Regency Club is a hotel and apartments and although there were renovations on some floors, the rooms were excellent and spotlessly clean. We were in a large apartment, towels changed daily and room cleaned daily, with beautiful views of the sea.
Pool area was very clean with plenty of sun loungers. The only thing was you had to walk across a bridge over a busy road to get to the pool area. We did not eat at the hotel but did use the bar on a couple of occasions for cocktails but the different barmen each had their own ideas on how to make up the same cocktail.
Some of the staff were very helpful but as usual there is always one who is grumpy about being asked a perfectly reasonable question. Overall it was a good, clean and central place to be and Madeira was lovely.

1 reader found this review helpful

I had high expectations for Madeira, and I was right!
We were extremely lucky with our accommodation. We were booked to stay in the Regency Club but they were renovating, and we ended up in the 5* regency palace!
The Regency Palace is a fantastic hotel, with excellent facilities, including tennis court, 2 pools, crazy golf, table tennis, gym, health spa etc. The only draw back is that generally the facilities are very expensive 8 euros per person, per hour for tennis!
The hotel itself is beautiful with lovely gardens and beautifully decorated rooms and reception.
A complimentary shuttle bus runs regularly into the centre of Funchal where there are some excellent restaurants (the one in the hotel is far too expensive).
All in all, a beautiful hotel in a beautiful location, funchal and Madeira in general are gorgeous and I would certainly go back, hopefully some day I will.

The Madeira Regency Palace Hotel itself is pleasantly welcoming with a good atmosphere, happy, friendly and helpful staff. Nothing was too much trouble. It was a pleasure to stay at this hotel, they even provided a Courtesy bus which took you into Funchal - Food excellent.
You should visit the Beach Bar (via the private elevator) - Divo the bar man is a hospitable and pleasant guy.
All in all we had a pleasant two week stay.

1 reader found this review helpful

A year on from the last review, and I can endorse nearly everything the previous reviewer has said. The accommodation and the public areas are first-class, and a special mention for the restaurant (staff and food – the buffets are excellent, though not cheap).
A couple of “downs” – firstly, the fuel depot is still there, and it has been joined by a big new construction area fairly close (we're told that some apartments overlook the building site – best to check). And secondly, if you’re not interested in a timeshare, say so very firmly and very quickly. We were subjected to a sales pitch which we found both unprofessional and discourteous (and there’s no point in complaining – in our experience, letters don’t get answered).
But, leaving that aside, the Madeira Regency Palace Hotel is a high-quality hotel.