"I have put together this information to help anyone considering booking at the Monte Mar Palace Hotel in Madeira, especially Saga and other guests thinking of staying here. Overall, the holiday was not as it had been described or built up to be. It was a complete letdown. While there were some positive aspects, the negatives far outweighed them, and I hope this honest feedback is helpful to others considering this hotel.
First, I would like to start with the few positive points:
The staff at the hotel were consistently friendly and tried their best to address any requests or concerns. Special mention goes to Carmen—without her, there would be no Saga holiday. She was always approachable, provided valuable local information, and went above and beyond for guests. Housekeeping staff were also polite, even if standards varied.
Now, for the negative side of things, which unfortunately is a long list:
Breakfast was a disappointing experience from day one. There was very little food available, and what was there was usually cold. Beans and eggs were rubbery, and although there were eight tureens meant to keep food hot, the heaters were not turned on, so everything was cold. Pastries and bread were often stale, and the fruit selection was limited to a few unripe or overripe options.
This pattern continued for both dinner and evening meals—the soup was never hot, and the menu lacked variety. Every day, the main dishes repeated: fish, meat, chicken, potatoes or chips, rice, vegetables, pasta, and a vegetarian option. Most dishes were bland and overcooked, and there were no themed nights or attempts to offer local cuisine. Desserts were similarly repetitive and uninspired.
There is no other food available throughout the day, except for tea, coffee, cake, and biscuits served at 4pm in the lounge. Outside of set meal times, there are no snacks or light bites offered, The unlimited tea and coffee based on you staying by the bar and keep going up to ask for it on machines help yourself, which is disappointing for an all-inclusive package.
For all hot drinks, you have to go to the bar; there are no self-service hot drink machines for all-inclusive guests. This often led to long waits, especially in the evenings or when large groups arrived back from excursions.
On arrival, you receive one sealed bottle of water per room, but after that, you are expected to refill it from the tap unless you buy more bottled water. No additional complimentary bottled water is provided during your stay, which is not what you would expect from an all-inclusive hotel. You are also only allowed one bottle of water per room, which needs to be returned to reception for refilling. This system is awkward and means you cannot have more than one bottle at a time, even if there are several guests in the room.
The hotel only provides one key per room, with no option for a second key. This is particularly inconvenient if your party plans to do separate activities, as you have to coordinate access constantly.
The drinks package consists of just 12 choices, including 7 soft drinks and a handful of local spirits, beers, and wines. The choice is limited, and branded drinks are not included. Cocktails are basic and pre-mixed, lacking variety and quality.
The indoor pool is fine and has warm water, though it is quite small and can get crowded at peak times. To use the sauna and steam rooms, you have to request at least half an hour to an hour in advance so they can be turned on. Towels and robes are available at an extra charge, and there are no complimentary spa amenities for all-inclusive guests. A robe costs 10 euros, with a 15 euro deposit. If you lose your ticket, there is no refund. This policy is very strict, and staff are not flexible even when mistakes are genuine.
As for entertainment, it was very poor—just five nights a week, and the same shows repeated weekly. There was no printed or posted information about the entertainment schedule; you had to rely on other guests to find out what was happening. Activities during the day were almost non-existent, and there were no organized excursions or events for guests.
While staying at the resort, your options for activities are limited. Walking is possible, but due to the location of the hotel, you are restricted to walking in a circle around the property. The main issue is the steep terrain; there are many large uphill and downhill sections, which makes it nearly impossible for anyone who finds walking difficult. There is a small café across from the hotel that offers snacks and coffee. Beyond that, it is a 45-minute uphill walk to a very small supermarket, one café, a chemist, and a cash machine. Bus service is infrequent and unreliable, so be sure to allow plenty of time if you need to travel to the next town. If you take the bus to Funchal, expect the journey to take up to three hours, compared to just 40 minutes by car.
Lastly, regarding housekeeping: sometimes the cleaners would only clean the sink. Some days, you would get all your towels replaced; other days, only some. The room was never vacuumed, and the beds were sometimes missed—especially if you had pulled them up yourself.
In summary, while the staff try their best, the overall experience fell far short of expectations for an all-inclusive holiday. For those of you thing about this holiday check reviews first. I hope this detailed review helps others make an informed decision."
