Quinta da Casa Branca

We had the most wonderful holiday. The Premium Garden View room was perfect. Large bathroom, comfortable bed, and our favourite - the double lounger on the balcony.. The grounds are magnificent and so well tended (we are both 100% mobile). The spa was so peaceful. (The aromatherapy massage is so relaxing.) We enjoyed breakfast. Porridge, eggs benedict and omelettes. Yummy! Accompanied by a buffet including kumbucha, and bananas from the hotels plantation. Oh, and did we mention the wonderful staff. Our best holiday so far! PS. Cake and sparkling fizz on my birthday was a lovely surprise 🎂🍾

The Quinta is surrounded by absolutely beautiful botanical gardens full of amazing shrubs , trees and plants . The bar/ restaurant and the breakfast room are very pleasant and nicely done . The breakfasts were good with a choice of freshly cooked options and buffet . The room(s) were less impressive. Spotlessly clean however dated and impractical . I hated the bath/ shower configuration and the sink was too deep meaning it was hard to use the taps . Decor … what decor ? Lack of plug sockets meant that mobile phones that were needed due to a situation back home had to be left on charge on the floor on the way to the bathroom - no charging points near bed . On night 3 the air conditioning unit leaked water ( a lot ) and my phone got wet . Luckily my husband woke to the dripping noise but if not my phone would have been damaged . In general there was a lack of atmosphere through the place . The gym / spa felt deserted with no staff visible . No welcome drink on arrival -everything felt a little austere particularly in the evenings.

Having visited the Quinta many times we chose to stay again to celebrate a special birthday. This was the first time we had visited at this time of year and the flowers and trees were just as impressive as at other times of the year. We stayed in a premium room and the service was outstanding. The hotel presented us with a suprise to mark the special occasion which was very much appreciated. The room was superb, the food in the restaurants outstanding and the setting of the hotel with it's Mannor House and arboretum make it a wonderful setting for any occasion. The staff are faultlessy attentive and friendly and make the holiday special. It is easy to walk from the hotel into Funchal or to use a bus or taxi. Similarly there are wonderful gardens to visit within walking distance.

We were recommended this hotel by another hotel. On arrival it looks cool and frank lloyd, seventies style. On closer inspection it is stuck in the past . The decor is very tired and must be 20 years old. The gardens are lovely but facilities all dated and on our visit some not working. The rooms are bland, no artwork or colour. We are 60 and by far the youngest guests staying here. In all, once a great hotel but living now on reputation and expensive compared to better hotels. On the plus side, staff are lovely and food excellent.

This is an excellent hotel, with first-rate service throughout. We stayed 6 nights in Garden Room. All the staff are very helpful and friendly. Breakfast is really great. Also enjoyed dinner at the Bistrot and upscale Dining Room. And massage therapies were very good too. The weather for our stay was very unpredictable, so we relied on the hotel more than we expected. It’s a lovely place to relax, read, enjoy the gardens and have a cocktail. Overall, really excellent. Some tips: - Bolt taxi app is very affordable and reliable - Confeitaria cafe 5 mins away is great for lunch - Avista restaurant was very good, and Cris’s Place does a good fixed price menu