Gorgulho Apartotel

One of the oldest hotels in Funchal and the least attractive. The decor and fittings are a bit tired. However the accommodation was clean with a daily maid service. The restaurant and the food were well prepared and managed. The pool was also clean and well maintained. The staff were really friendly and keen to help. It's just 2 minutes walk to the Lido and well-placed for shops and restaurants. We had great holiday there.

At first glance this hotel stands out as it has a very dated appearance with raw concrete and ceramic tiles on the outside. Public areas are also dated, but very clean. Bedrooms were refurbished a couple of years ago and are clean and fresh with some of the most thorough housekeeping I've experienced. I had an eighth floor room in the south tower overlooking the sea with clear views all along the coast. You need to be in the south tower above the sixth to get a good view and only the x05 and x06 rooms have a full front view. Very comfortable beds but the room was small and there was little space (didn't really matter as it is only a place to sleep). The food was fairly basic, but plentiful. Usual extended continental breakfast and limited choice buffet in the evenings. Drinks are very reasonably priced abd I was surprised by the birthday cake and bottle of wine on my birthday - they obviously look at the d.o.b. on your passport! I found all of the staff very friendly and helpful. The man who looks after the pool area is a mine of udeful information! Thye pool area is clean and well maintained, it is a pity that access is through the not so well kept service area. Lots of bars and restaurants in the area and only a twenty minute walk into Funchal centre, but you can get a weekly tourist bus pass for €17 that covers all the areas serviced by the Funchal municipal buses and covers most of the main tourist attractions e.g. Botanical Gardens, Monte etc. Overall, very good value at a budget price.

This hotel is old and a bit dated but is very clean.The breakfast was plentifull (dont expect full english though) The location although on a steep hill was only a few steps to the bus stop to travel to funchal center. The kitchenette was 2 cooking rings and a fridge and sink ,behind some doors we thought it was another wardrobe at first. There is a room on 2nd floor with internet and book exchange. Although this is one of the ugliest hotels i have been to at least it is different from all the other clone type hotels popping up everywhere when the seventies come back in fashion it will become cutting edge again Watch out for timeshare people nearly everywhere,when you book excursions and people along the seafront are selling it. If you get this hotel at a good price it is as good as any.

we were a party of 10 over 40s visiting Madeira for the first time. The hotel was chosen pot luck but what a find! even though the outside appearance is a little disconcerting it was always easy to find, the reception staff were always accommodating, changing rooms was easy if you found the traffic too noisey. the rooms were clean with beds, linen and towels spotless. the location was ideal to get into town, find good restaurants, and walk the nordic walk along the coast to the next resort. the indian restaurant across the road was good, so was the chinese. the fish restaurant along the nordic coastal walk was excellent, and very good value for money. the only problem we had was the bar closed at 10.30pm so it was hard to find a bar open for a night cap but the pestana hotel down the hill was very accommodating with live entertainment.

Exactly what we expected a well worn hotel but with an old fashioned charm. We were 5 couples and everyone enjoyed, the towels and bed sheets were spotless. It felt clean in bed.Breakfast was excellent plenty of different breads,jams,meats,cheese,yoghurts etc. The hot section was very limited, don't bank on it ! but everything else at breakfast was good. Did not sample the evening meal (bit pricey) found a real gem of a restaurant down the road on the terrace above the supermarket complex. named the Barracuda it is a husband & wife run small establishment that will do anything for you,really impressed. We were mostly seniors and the location of the hotel on a slope did not bother any of us. Great value !

If you want Homes and Garden Luxury then this is not the place for you. If you want a clean place to use as a resting place then this is perfect. The hotel reception staff are polite and helpful. The food (We only had breakfast) was reasonable and plentiful. Some rooms can be noisy as they are near the road. However; if you are used to traffic noise then there will be no problem. The hotel looks 'unfinished' from the outside and is tired on the inside, but would I recommend it? Yes I would.

Not the best hotel on the island but a cheap and cheerful place to stay, rooms were basic but ok, Hotel staff were helpful and polite,The restuarant is pretty naff but there are good places to eat nearby, You also have the option of cooking your own food in the room from local supermarkets. If you want to spend your money on your holiday and not staying in your room it was ideal for us, we have booked again for 2008 The island is a beautiful place and once out of the city is a no hasstle no rush place, Be prepared for steep inclines so it would be awkward for people who have difficulty walking,there are no sand beaches but rocks a bit like Brighton apart from 1 place. Car hire is the best way and the cheapest to see the places of interest especially if you like to come and go as you like and not be on a tight schedule. I wouldn't say that madiera is ideal for teenagers as it hasn't got that style of entertainment but it's great for mature adults.

Very disappointed with Hotel Gorgulho. On arrival were placed in a very noisy room on 1st floor by main road, also construction work, in spite of requesting quiet room. we were able to move next day. Rooms very small - only one chair for 2 people and couldn't open wardrobe doors properly. However rooms clean and towels etc. changed regularly. Food very poor - nothing for vegetarians. Breakfast only 2 cooked items, and queues for tea/coffee in machine. Don't recommend half board - evenig buffet only 1 choice meat and fish, and very few salad items or vegetables. On the plus side - a good location - on bus routes and plenty of restaurants around locally. Close to sea. We would definitely not return here Dollie, West Yorkshire

A little outside the main town but only a short bus ride or a 4 or 5 Euro Taxi ride. I would have no reservations about returning to the Gorgulho.It offers an excellent location and ethos in which to enjoy a relaxing holiday. Very clean and Tidy if a little old fashioned. No entertainment,'tho the hotel opposite has high class acts most nights. Food is well prepared and tasty,if a little narrow in choice. The bar could be better developed but around the hotel there are many bars and eating venues. It's not the Ritz but we enjoyed our time there.

Gorgulho is a good hotel if you're looking for a clean and friendly hotel at a practical locatio. Reception staff are all very friendly and helpful and they arrange excursions and taxi's for you if you ask. The rooms are updated with a fresh modern look (blue/white), and have bathroom, kitchenette, tv, wardrobe etc. The beds I found very comfortable. One tip: take ear plugs with you, because there is building activity across the road which starts quite early in the morning (this will be the same for many hotels - they're all situated next or near to each other!) The breakfast is OK, with different food to chose from: bread and rolls, cheese, ham, jam and honey; yoghurt and fruit, milk and cereals; and for the English eggs, sausages and other fried things. To drink there's different sorts of tea and coffee, and fruit juices. Around the hotel are enough restaurants, little shops, the Lido swimming pool and the bus stop with a bus every 6 minutes into town (one way ticket E1,40, but you can buy a return for 1,50 at kiosks). If you're looking for luxury, don't book into this hotel. But if you rather spend your money on excursions, good food and a bit of shopping, then the Gorgulho is fantastic value!