Pestana Palms Hotel

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Second holiday with the Atlantic Holidays, part of the Pestana Group. First time at the Palms. This hotel is on the waterfront. Fantastic view of the sea and the round tower provides views over Funchal and the Desertas Iles in the East and sunsets to the West. The Maderian staff are very helpful at reception and in the resturant. All speak English though there are usually more German than British guests. We went at half term. the pool area is well maintained and there are plenty of sunbeds. Atlantic Holidays is a Maderian company so the reps are Madeiran and very helpful. The organised trips are very informative as are the Levada walks with Dorinda (You will need a head for heights but the views are spectacular). Would we go again - yes. We took our friends to introduce them to the delights of Madeira and they loved it and will be going next year. The hotel is in the 'hotel area' of Funchal. there are some excellent resturants nearby. the Tricolore is excellent value for money - try the steak on a hot rock and the local fish the espada. The Palms is more expensive than the 5 Star Pestana Carlton. It may need a bit of a refresh but all the rooms are spacious, with a full size fridge, utensils including glasses, plates and facilitites for cooking. Madeira is not the sunniest place to go for a holiday but beware - it is further south than many European resorts and the cooling effect of the Atlantic keeps in temperate but it is easy to burn.