Riu Palace Madeira

"Stayed here for a week, hotel is amazing, clean and staff are wonderful, Rui in the main Restaurant is great, friendly and funny and a great asset to the hotel. Weather wasn’t the best while we were here but made the best of a bad thing. Only bad point is that we are very isolated, being her In October lot of places close early. Definately use the courtesy bus into Funchal well worth it. Maybe think of renting a car if your nerves can survive it"

"First time to Maderia and the RIU Maderia hotel. Wonderful welcome from the exceptional Reception team - special shout out to the fabulous Luisana, and Bruno and David (we enjoyed the laughs, we hope you get White and Neon party nights one day! ) and Alejandro - all of the reception team have been incredibly helpful. Housekeeping excellent - such a speedy delivery of extra pillows and additional towels - always respectful of when to make up room via notes on door. All meals buffet. Breakfast varied and lovely. Lunch and dinner incredibly repetitive and average quality - (basic) pizza, (overcooked) fish, (reheated) pasta, soups, meats and salads. Cake desserts, ice cream and cheeses. Fruit juices, Wines and water plentiful. Yes, you can always find something to eat and clearly food is being creatively redesigned/replated as a new dish (rather than wasted) but it is mostly bland (to me). Waiting staff and cooks do work incredibly hard though and special thanks to Fernanda who always made us laugh! Hotel offers a complimentary shuttle coach to Funchal (approx 20 min journey) three times AM and collection, three times PM. Do book ahead - this is an excellent service (taxi approx €25 to Funchal). Bus stop is opposite the hotel and very reasonably priced. Small supermarket approx 5 mins walk from hotel. Pools nice (very cold or cold), indoor poor great to have also. Always loads of outside loungers available when we visited. Sadly smoking permitted everywhere always disappointing and wish Hotel management would designate areas to save us all participating! Entertainment was varied (band/singer/magician/dancers/opera/circus .. ) from poor to good - local folklore show was the best evening. Nice to have but sadly most evenings not many guests stay for singers. For an All Inclusive, this hotel is fair value (could be incredible if they improved food quality and variety) - Rui Maderia’s selling point is the stunning location overlooking endless sea with lapping waves, albeit somewhat isolated - sea views did make up for the negatives for us. Management should be proud of staff. Would I return? Unlikely as other places to visit in the world."

"The hotel was brilliant. We had an amazing view from our room and also when sitting by the pool. The room was cleared daily and was spotless. The reception staff were really helpful and friendly. The dining room had great service and the staff were very friendly. The choice of food and drink was excellent. The pool bar had brilliant food at lunchtime. The shuttle bus service was great. The hotel exceeded expectations and I would highly recommend this to anyone."