Calheta Strand

"Enjoyed a lovely suite with ocean view at this hotel. Fabulous front desk staff and housekeeping. The hotel is bright and airy, very cheerful. The only reason I didn’t give this hotel a 5, is because the food was just mediocre. Nothing special except in one of the a la cartes. Otherwise the buffet could be improved. For example, on Asian night, the use of spaghetti in a noodle dish left a lot to be desired. Stick with Portuguese food, as this is what folks like me truly come to enjoy!"

"Needs a thorough refurbishment, not like its last, being a coat of paint over the bathroom tiles, it had a leaking tap, and a water damaged swollen door. However, it was spotlessly clean. Bed linen tired torn at seams, towels worn thin. Bed extraordinarily hard, pillows tired. Fridge interior broken and hardly cold. Aircon noisy and set at 19’. Rooms facing pool/sea view have noise from entertainment, rooms with cliff view face a building linked for self catering rooms above a grocery, car park, chemist and tourist info shop. Taxi rank outside hotel €40-50 to Funchal 30 min drive. Local bus in Calheta village very inexpensive taking the original old roads into Funchal, well worth it for exquisite views. Food pleasant, hot and a reasonable selection, servers very friendly. Pool lovely and clean, super separate shaded pool for toddlers. Planting lovely with species named. Beach clean with sheltered swimming. Pleasant promenade to stroll. Reception attitude hit n miss- hotel vibe favoured German and French guests. Could be a jewel in the crown with investment for refurbishment and staff training. It’s definitely not 4* but a very good 3*. Be sure to check a map to note its location. If you are happy to pay a bit more to access excursions and return to a slower paced area it’s great, if you just want pool or beach days then the location is perfect. Pool towels available for a daily fee from the reception. Luggage scales in reception area €1 per weighed case, you can’t slip another case on before removing the the first. Beware slippy lift floors, guests from the pool use them. Beware the corridor lighting is sensor activated, it’s timing and location to activate needs tweaking, requiring guests to walk in pitch black for considerable distance."

"Perfect break for us both. A lovely week of relaxation, food, drink and culture. Hotel was beautiful, staff were brilliant and the food was amazing every day"