"This hotel provides an excellent all inclusive package in the best location in Funchal. Close to other hotels which will cost you at least 3 times as much just to sleep there without any food or drinks. It’s not perfect but it is provides a big living space, living room and separate bedroom, bathroom with shower over bath not ideal but a very powerful shower with endless hot water. The beds are adequate and unlike another recent review we found no evidence of bedbugs.
Fabulous mature gardens with some seating and even bananas growing on two of the banana trees. The only downside here is that there are biting insects so you need to use insect repellent on any bare skin. We found that a light spray was adequate and used Tesco’s brand repellent. Best to apply after sunscreen every morning and in the evening before going out.
The pools are in sunshine most of the day in winter but rather cold so did not use them. Pool cleaning and testing happens early in the morning so no impact on users and the two pool guys are attentive and active around the pool all day. The pool bar serves drinks from 10am and food is available pretty much all day, any wonder we put on weight during our stay.
I mentioned location earlier and indeed the location is great for exploring all of old Funchal and even Camara de Lobos if you’re reasonably active. It’s about 4 miles to Camara de Lobos along a beautiful coastal path, and the cable car to Monte is around 3 miles on foot from the hotel. Taxi and bus stops are close to the hotel and there is a wide range of bars and restaurants close by.
Food is available pretty much all day for AI customers and the evening meal is a buffet in the main restaurant. We found the food to be decent quality and dishes varied throughout the fortnight we stayed, it was always possible to find something tasty. The buffet is constantly managed by the chef’s who replenish dishes regularly during service. The waiters provide a good drinks service to AI customers, replenishing drinks when asked. Admittedly we didn’t eat in the hotel every night but at the small price you pay for AI it’s easy to make that decision to eat elsewhere occasionally.
This is a very professionally run hotel where staff show pride in their work and are friendly and helpful when approached, it’s about 50 years old and still going strong with some staff having worked here since it opened. There’s a real family vibe about it.
So that was our third trip to the Girassol and once again we enjoyed it thoroughly and hope to return in the future for another relaxed winter holiday."
