Savoy Gardens Hotel

Yes the breakfast is 70's continential but everything they served was extremely fresh and the daily scrambled egg was delicious, a previous reviewer mentioned the coffee but I (a strong black coffee drinker) couldn't complain. I have to agree with all previous reviewers the hotel is very clean but in need of a refurb, but don't be put off by that. The staff I found to be very hard working and nice enough. For a budget holiday I've got no complaints and if I find myself longing to be in Madeira again and money is a little tight Vila Ramos will do for me.

Well this place really was a step back in time! We were amazed that this place still displayed 4 stars at the entrance. We had a pleasant stay mind you and it suited our budget when we booked. The whole place hasn't changed since it was built in 1973 and that includes most of the staff. There were limited staff and you would often see one of the barman taking cases to rooms, housekeeping staff were always friendly and did a good job. To my amazement they had a wireless internet connection in the bar area, only thing was if you were in there in the day you were the only one. Situated a bit further up the hill from all the other hotels in the hotel area west of Funchal town near the Lido area, it was a big hike when coming back to hotel after a morning or afternoon strolling. I explored the hotel and found a few things, the snooker room was something from a 70's movie, a place no one had dared enter for a long time and as for the reading room on 7th floor, that was an experience not to be forgotten, lots of old german and english paperbacks stuffed in a couple of drawers. There was at one time a tennis court and gym, but both seem a distant memory. The breakfast as mentioned on other reviews still hasn't changed, always scrambled eggs and either fatty bacon or little winky sausages. The staff at breakfast are less than courteus, we experienced the odd grunt when they wanted to know our room number, there is no greeting when entering the 70's dining experience and no one to seat you. The rooms are a god size though and bathroom, with loads of wardrobe space and a good bathroom. I would recommend this to people who are looking to save money on their budget, its not 4 star, more like 3/2, you could pay twice as much or more for 4 star Porto Mare which did look very nice.

No way is this a 4 star hotel. Pool is ok, breckfast also not bad, bar not cheep but ok. Rooms clean, most staff frendly. Needs some work on it. It's a hard walk back up the hill to the hotel so if you are not fit stay in the town center.

Hotel is a quite good location, if you are able to walk to town (or take a taxi). City centre is about 2 Kilometers away. Walking back takes it time. Busstops are nearby, (necessary for Levada walking). The LIDO is in walking distance, too. Friendly multilingual staff. Rooms are clean, but the whole hotel needs refurbishing. We liked the sight . So take a room with sea view. Breakfast is served on a buffet, but it is awful. Especially the coffee is a real cheek. There are some nice and very good restaurants nearby. The pool is quite fine. You can hear traffic noise, but compared to some other Madeiran locations it is really calm (from 1am to 7am). So it is a good place if you aren't demanding to much comfort.

The hotel is now showing signs of old age. Wouldnt rate it as four star more like two. Not very good location. All up hill from town and very noisy road nearby. We got so fed up with noise from road and walking up hills we moved to Savoy for a small upgrade amount which was worth every penny. If you stayed at the Savoy you could then use the Royal Savoy facilities. The nightlife in Funchal was not much but good restaurants. If you go in the opposite direction from Funchal you will find another number of pubs/bars which were nice but again very quiet. We found the hotel staff very polite but would recommend paying a little bit more and staying more central.

The Vila Ramos is not Reids, nor is it the Funchal Savoy. But it is owned by the Savoy and you get all the privileges of the Savoy. However we hardly used them. The Vila Ramos has a huge swimming pool and a terrace that overlooks the sea that is superior to any view you get from the Savoy. Pay the extra to get a seaside room, which comes with a balconey, and you have the best view in Funchal from the upper floors. (The whole hotel is 7 floors, we stayed on the 6th, but anywhere above the 1st will give you a spectacular view.) The hotel is very clean, the staff are friendly and the rooms are a good size. The breakfast is a bit repetitive, and you should choose to eat out, not the half board option. Hidden away behind the Vila Ramos (up the alley like street on the right of the hotel) is a fantastic restaurant, Onotel, owned by a Welsh man. We found it on our fourth night, and ate there every night thereafter. It fills up so try to book ahead. The food is fabulous, and the prices very reasonable. But stay away from the house wine! A very good bottle of Chilean Cabernet was abot £10, and there are Portuguese wines at lower prices.

Hotel claims to be a four star hotel masquerading as a three star, I would give it two at the most. The hotel is very clean and rooms were comfortable but faded. Facilities were extremely poor; the snooker room had such poor light you couldn't see the balls, the tv room had a tv that didn't work. The breakfast buffet was predictable (sausages one day, bacon the next, scrambled eggs every day- no other choice of egg available) Room maids were exremely pleasant buth other staff churlish. Wouldn't recommend

Vila Ramos occupies a lovely spot overlooking Funchal, but is showing signs of age. It needa a complete refurbishment.

Took a weeks holiday at the Vila Ramos hotel, Madeira in December 2004. Hotel was excellent value. Situated about a half km from the sea just a little way up into the hills above the hotel district to the West of Funchal, about 2 km or so from the centre. Very quite location with no main roads nearby. Hotel was clean and efficient, staff professional. Rooms and balcony small but functional. Good choice and quality of breakfasts but I didn't try the cooked food. Had just one dinner in the hotel which was OK. Lots of other good places to eat nearby. Overall, hotel was fine if a bit impersonal, but then if you've spent a lot of time in and around the hotel, you've missed the point of this beautiful island. Get out more - it's fantastic!

If you'd rather spend money on eating, drinking and sight seeing than on your accommodation this is a friendly, clean, basic hostel which can't be sneered at. The rooms we're a good size with bathroom and air conditioning - try to get one with a balcony (although small better than without). Safety deposit box in room and very good location.