VIDAMAR Resorts Madeira

"I booked a seven-night stay at VidaMar Resort Madeira through Jet2holidays from 10 to 17 October 2026 as a solo traveller, including flights and transfers. The ocean views are undeniably beautiful, but several neighbouring hotels offer similar scenery. Unfortunately, the service and dining experience left much to be desired. Breakfast was acceptable, but dinner was consistently underwhelming. The food was mediocre, there was little variety, only one blended vegetable soup on offer and no hot beverages available with dinner. On several evenings, I preferred eating in Funchal instead. I also found it rather odd having to provide my room number and signature at every meal. On my first evening, I was directed to another restaurant, which was difficult to find due to locked entrances. Staff offered no assistance, and the waitress couldn't recommend a dish. Despite having booked half board, I was charged for the meal. Maintenance and communication were equally disappointing. The revolving entrance doors remained broken throughout my stay, forcing guests to use an emergency exit. Of the two lifts I used, one worked fine, while the other was either faulty or painfully slow. The hotel's confusing layout wasn't helped by the lack of guidance from reception. A wedding ceremony also took place near the swimming pool without any prior notice or explanation about whether guests could continue swimming. I felt awkward and unsure whether I was intruding. The separately charged tourist tax was another irritation, particularly after paying for a package holiday. The departure experience was perhaps the most disappointing. Despite my flight being at 8:50pm, I had to check out at noon and spend several hours waiting for my transfer. I understand standard check-out policies, but reception simply told me to sit in the lounge. There were no convenient charging facilities, no television and little to occupy the time. Nobody suggested alternative dining arrangements or offered any practical assistance. The only obvious option for refreshments was a small shop selling drinks, crisps and souvenirs. Overall, I found the service impersonal, the dining mediocre and the attention to detail lacking. For the price paid, I expected considerably better. I would strongly suggest considering other hotels on the island. Beautiful views are not enough to compensate for a disappointing guest experience."

"First the good points, excellent location, excellent cleanliness, lots of cold food options not so many hot ones ,friendly and helpful staff, no trouble getting loungers in pool area.Not so good .Only one evening bar for such a large hotel ,poor entertainment, in the evening the hotel seemed strangely empty ,it seemed as if everyone had deserted it."

"We had a great stay for one week at the VidaMar Resort. We arrived late in the evening, were quickly checked in and while our bags were taken to the room we were shown to the restaurant which had remained open after closing time in order that we could have a meal. The whole hotel was spotlessly clean, great room, great food, wonderful swimming pools and friendly attentive staff. A big thank you to Simone, the guest experience ambassador, who helped us when my wife tripped and fell outside the hotel. Simone helped immediately and went out of her way to check each day afterwards that all was well. Only a 30 minute walk to the city centre or a short bus ride, the hotel was ideally positioned and had everything we needed for a great holiday in Madeira. We will be booking again."