Quinta da Casa Branca

Gave 5 stars because you can’t give 6! Great rooms, great people, great restaurant. And the grounds and gardens are worthy of a visit even if you aren’t staying there. Not in the middle of the coastal zone, but we walked it almost every day. Just be prepared for the hill…. Cabs and Ubers are easy also. Go, unless you want a typical high rise on the coast.

We are currently staying at this hotel. There is only one word to describe it, fab u lous! Food excellent, quality of service superb, hotel room clean and beautifully decorated. Only one small area that could possibly be improved, when breakfast area is full and there are no tables available there needs to be a contingency. This hotel deserves its 5 star rating!

After a wonderful 10 day stay we are sad to be home now. This small hotel is a gem; set in wonderful gardens the rooms each have a fantastic view of them with the birds singing and colour right outside your patio door. We had several lovely strolls around the gardens looking at all the different tropical plants and trees. We had a garden room which was well appointed - very comfortable beds and a nice seating area, plus 2 sunbeds on our small patio/terrace. The bathroom was spacious however they could do with a bit of updating. The shower was good and powerful but being over the bath could make getting in and out a problem for some less able. A walk in shower would be much more practical. The bath plug leaked so wasn’t really usable for a soak after a long days walking. Reception staff were amazingly helpful, nothing was too much trouble. They secured us (and several other guests) tickets for the stands to watch the flower festival parade on Sunday 4th May which was fabulous. We met some lovely other guests here too. Whilst most kept to themselves which is fine and probably due to the diverse countries they were from, we enjoyed an after breakfast or after dinner conversation with like minded guests. And that goes for the restaurant staff too. The attention to detail was always there to make the experience you had perfect in every way. Breakfast in the garden room was lovely - we sat outside some mornings, others inside as the weather wasn’t so good. The options both hot and cold, were varied and plentiful with regular topping up by the kitchen staff. We enjoyed everything we had, in particular the croissants were amazingly good. We had lunch here a couple of times, sat outside the Quinta restaurant and bar which is open from 11am - 11 pm. And we ate here 4 times in the evening. The menu is the same for both with some snack sized choices and full meal options. We ate very well and enjoyed most of what we had, in particular the coquelette and duck main courses. We didn’t try The Dining room restaurant - the menu didn’t appeal to us tbh. There are several good restaurants nearby and more down the road at the Lido area so plenty of choice for lunch and evening dining. We particularly liked Cris’s Place and 3L’s restaurants. The hotel is set back off the main road, up a steep hill. So you do need to be fairly fit to walk around the area. But there is a good bus service along the main road and taxis are plentiful if a bit expensive if walking isn’t for you. It took us about 30-40 minutes to stroll into central Funchal which was vibrant and busy in view of the flower festival. The decoration of the city (lots of flower displays) and the activities (folk dancing, music and girls dressed in traditional dress) put on were all fabulous and we enjoyed the wonderful vibes. So it’s a fantastic time of the year to go. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay here and would definitely stay again.

This is a superb hotel set in gorgeous botanic gardens with outstanding faultless service, food and facilities. We were on a Jet2 package holiday for a well deserved break after a busy working week in Paris. Reception services were welcoming and attentive and they personally showed us to our room. We had a Garden Room and we were so pleased we didn’t go for a Manor House room or newer section as it suited us to be able to access the garden. It was comfortable and spacious and had a lovely outdoor area with sun beds overlooking the garden. Unlike previous comments we found the room had plenty of charging units in the charging tower in the desk. The aircon worked just fine and yes, it was an over bath shower but a slip mat was provided. Maybe not the best for those with significant mobility issues as the paths are stone and a bit uneven and there is no lift downstairs to the rooms. The breakfast buffet was delicious and extensive and the staff were very attentive and quick to take cooked orders. The restaurant was excellent - intimate and comfortable with great food and service. Better steak frites than anywhere in Paris!!! We had one meal in the Dining Room which was very nice (suggestion - more vegetables!) but we preferred the more relaxed restaurant. Lots of local restaurants outside - we liked 3L’s. Cris’s was very touristy but good food. A beautiful relaxing hotel with great spa - best massage. Highly recommend and enjoy the joyful blackbirds singing!

Absolutely stunning hotel that you would never know was close to traffic. The gardens are beautiful and the staff are extremely helpful. The breakfast has a good array of choices and is kept well stocked up. The lunch and dinner options are great and the bar is busy and quiet all at the same time. We were scuba diving most days so had a steep walk down to the dive centre and a tiring one back up but wouldn’t have chosen differently even if we’d realised how hilly Funchal was! It’s is close enough to the centre to walk to and there are plenty of taxis if you can’t face the walk back. We only used the pool once but it was lovely and the table service for drinks etc is a great touch. Would go back in a heart beat.