Ratings based on 103 Verified Reviews
They paid and stayed. We double-checked. 4.7 Room cleanliness
4.5 Service & staff
4.7 Room comfort
4.5 Hotel condition
They paid and stayed.We double-checked.
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Patricia from Surrey, England
A peaceful base for a relaxing holiday.
Posted Jan 3, 2013
Pros: We loved the sea view and the stylish features of the hotel.
Cons: The intricacy of the hotel's design made it very difficult to work out where things were.
Location: The location is fine: walking distance of the town and surrounded by a range of good places to eat.
This is a modern hotel and, as such, won't appeal to everyone, but we found it comfortable and a pleasure to be in. The sea view from our room was superb - a wonderful way to start the day! The breakfast was fine - not exceptional but perfectly adequate. Our only criticism was that the lay-out of the hotel was very complex. We literally could not find the indoor swimming pool, despite wandering around on the correct floor several times! There's maybe a need for better signage! The hotel is within walking distance of the town centre and surrounded by good places to eat, if you don't fancy the hotel's catering. Everyone at the hotel was friendly and helpful. This is a stylish, attractive, modern hotel which provides you with opportunities to relax and explore; we would recommend it warmly.
Not Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by David from Kent, UK
Very comfortable but room for improvement
Posted Jan 2, 2013
Pros: The comfort of the room and the balcony
Cons: The hot buffet and the basic changing rooms for the outdoor pool.
Location: It was not too far from the centre of Funchal for fit guests and certainly very good for restaurants and bars.
The hot buffet items were at best lukewarm but the rest of breakfast was of a reasonable standard. The changing facilities for the outdoor swimming pools were basic and there were no depth markings in the outdoor pools. The staff were efficient but generally rather unfriendly. The free Wi-Fi should have been provided throughout the hotel and not just in the reception area.
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Liz from london
Fabulous position
Posted Jan 13, 2013
Pros: The helpfulness of the staff and the Thalassotherpy pool
Cons: the food
Location: Superb location for the veiws and ease of access to Funchal
The Vidamar is in a fantastic location. Our room had a stunning view. We were origionally booked in a garden room but were offered an upgrade which included a seaview,free wifi, and the contents of the mini bar. The view was stunning, but the minibar less so! The spa is beautiful, and though we did not have any treatments we did use the Thalassotherpy pool on cooler days. The indoor pool was good on cooler days, but not the most attractive setting. The staff were excellent throughout. The food was a little disappointing. Buffet style is fine for a couple of days, but after that we decided to venture further afield. The dining room completely lacked atmosphere. There is a good bus service into Funchal, and we ate in the old town a couple of nights. There are also good restaurants nearby, three of which we tried and found to be excellent. Would stay there again!
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Alan from UK
A modern minimalist decorated hotel
Posted Jan 12, 2013
Pros: décor style and views along with the friendly staff
Cons: Multiple lifts to sea
Location: too far from Town Centre and shops. 20 min walk up and down hills. It would be good if hotel laid on courtesy mini bus in the morn, afternoon & night
staff friendly, decorated as a minimalist hotel in fine taste. Food good, but didn't eat in at night. Views superb, pity about the weather at Easter. Satellite TV for English speaking poor (BBC WW news) and a couple of other unknown channels.
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Sarah from Berkshire
A very relaxing hotel
Posted Jan 11, 2013
Pros: The Spa
Cons: The bathroom needed a little attention and the towels were old.
Location: Beautiful Cliff top setting
Helpful friendly staff, nothing too much trouble. Although we usually opt for a more traditionally furnished hotel we enjoyed the Vidamar for its minimalist decor. The Spa, which was the reason for our choice, lived up to expectations, the therapists were very professional and knowledgeable which made for a very relaxing stay. And last but not least, the breakfast buffet in the Garden Restaurant was a very pleasant start to the day with its variety, presentation and cleanliness.
Recommended
for Couples
for Couples
by Lindy Lou from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Great hotel for couples with sophisticated tastes
Posted Jan 1, 2013
Pros: Opulent, clean, with attentive staff. You are made to feel special. Comfy bed, a sea view and English TV programs. Lovely spa and spa pool.
Cons: Indoor swimming pool area was a bit grim and the sauna and steam room were out of order.The outdoor pools were very cold.
Location: Although not in the center of town, it has good selection of bars etc.near by. It is right at the sea edge, with no roads or building in between.
Lovely, big, sophisticated hotel, with attentive staff and spacious well appointed rooms and big comfy beds. Designed to feel like you are in an ocean liner, the place is spotlessly clean. The marble bathrooms are plush, but the mirrored walls ensure you can see yourself sitting on the lavatory from all angles. All but the most egotistical would probably find this as deeply disturbing as we did. All rooms are sea view, but garden rooms nearer the lifts have a better view. Garden rooms out to the sides on the ground floor smelled a little damp. We were given such a room on arrival, but as we had booked a king size bed and this had two singles/small doubles we were moved to a room on a higher floor that was nearer the lifts and not so far to walk. The breakfasts and the and the in house bars were good and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to sample in the area. A quick taxi ride takes you into the center of the town. There is also a lovely 4 K walk along the cliffs. The spa is well worth a try. Good internet access and lots of English telly (not just news and sport) completed a really smashing week for us. A good way to celebrate our engagement. This was my second visit to this hotel and I will certainly stay there again in the future.
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Wright family from England, UK
Really good hotel
Posted Jan 23, 2013
Pros: Facilities & service
Cons: None
Location: Not central but not too far out - stunning views!
Really good hotel - probably only about a third full as we went off peak but fantastic service from the staff - facilities were really good & suited kids aged 12 & 10. Would stay here again - enough said!
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by Fred from Bedford, United Kingdom
Great Hotel
Posted Jan 21, 2013
Pros: Rooms, view and breakfast
Cons: None
Location: 40 minute walk from Funchal sea front but buses and taxis available.
Lovely hotel and pleasant staff. Some areas could do with a make over as they do show some signs of wear for example carpets leading from the lift to the room.
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by carol from London, UK
great hotel
Posted Jan 21, 2013
Pros: the room and the views
Cons: slow reation of lighting in the corridors and carpark
Location: godd location, facilities in the area, 20 mins walk into town down hill, walk back all up hill
lovely hotel, very comfortable rooms,great views, good food reasonably priced. Quite a walk into town but very pleasant if you are fit. But also there are plenty of bars and restaurants within five minutes walk. Adequate parking facilities
Recommended
for Everyone
for Everyone
by A verified traveler
New Year / Weekend break
Posted Jan 12, 2013
Pros: sea view, cleaning of room each day was done without noticing
Location: Location excellent, a bit of an up-hill walk back on an evening but taxis / buses etc there to help with that
Clean, tidy, room cleaned everyday to high standard without fuss, facilities very good. Pool area and sea view from room very nice. Car Parking easy. Staff friendly, very helpful, easy going. On-site pub was shut for redecoration during our stay but many resturants and cafes around area.