Quintinha de Sao Joao Hotel

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QUINTINHA SAO JOAO
If all-singing, all-dancing activities are what you are looking for in a holiday, then read no further because that is not what you will get. Situated within easy walking distance to the centre of Funchal, this family-run hotel is one, which, with a little imagination, will transport you back to yesteryear with its clever use of wood and marble. Because of the steepness of streets and roads back to the hotel we advise that one of the plentiful and reasonably priced yellow and blue taxis be hired. Alternatively, a courtesy bus is provided.
We have just completed our tenth visit to the hotel, so we think we can speak with some authority and give an unbiased opinion on what the Quintinha Sao Joao [hereafter QSJ] has to offer the discerning guest.
First impressions are of a clean and not overpowering frontage leading into a cool, marble-floored reception area. Here we encounter one of the many features of the QSJ—the management’s decision to encourage all staff to converse with their guests. We have patronised many European hotels but none have matched this, to us, very important factor, although some have come close. Off the reception area is the first-class La Morgandinha restaurant where there is an excellent menu and where breakfast (self-service) is laid up. A good selection of local wines is available. If you have no knowledge of Maderian wines, don’t worry—the restaurant manager will advise you.
Leaving Reception, with its marble staircase to the upper floors and a lift, we come to the lounge area, which can only be adequately described as elegant. The Maderian love of wood and design has been tastefully incorporated with antique or reproduction furniture. Comfortable armchairs and settees are placed in strategic positions.
From the lounge we descend marble steps into the magnificent Vasco de Gamma bar with its superb dark hardwood floor. Again there is comfortable seating and a grand piano is a feature. The bar opens out on to the terrace and gardens and it is here that we spend a lot of our time making new acquaintances.
Ascending to the first floor we have another feature of the hotel—a lounge area on the landing (repeated on the second floor), again comfortably furnished. Also on this floor there is a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the gardens. All bedrooms are en suite, generous in size, extremely well appointed and very clean and comfortable.
For those clients who like to keep fit a fitness centre and games room are situated on the lower ground floor; in the garden there is a tennis court.
To summarise: In our view, having travelled considerably, we have in the QSJ a first-class hotel, worth every one of its five stars. Nothing is too much trouble for the staff, all professional in their approach and very well trained.
Over the years we have attempted to find an adequate word or phase that encapsulates the atmosphere of the QSJ. During our last visit we realised that the QSJ is not a hotel as we know it but a ‘‘private family club’’, with high standards of service, comfort, attention to detail and quiet efficiency.
Welcome to the family of the Quintinha Sao Joao.
Eileen and Douglas Batten, Exmouth, England<