Castanheiro Boutique Hotel

Superb location in centre of Funchal, 5 mins walk from waterfront. Extremely helpful staff who were able to advise and book for tours etc. Beautiful rooftop pool and bar with views over the city which we enjoyed to watch fireworks down at the port, with complimentary prosecco. That was a lovely touch by the hotel. Breakfast outstanding range and high quality. Plenty of places to relax around the hotel with games and books. Junior suite with balcony was spacious and clean, balcony a bit small but enough for table and 2 chairs. We will certainly try to book again on our next visit.

Only the rather steep prices for wine in the restaurant although meals were excellent.

Breakfast was excellent and sitting outside a bonus because of good weather. Maybe would not have been so good sitting in restaurant. Location in central Funchal was outstanding and could not have ben bettered. Staff are particularly friendly and efficient.

WiFi was a little slow and TV volume limited to low which made it difficult to hear. Bathroom was quite small and dark relative to size of room. Some significant noise from next door bathroom (particularly shower)

Friendly and courteous staff. Staff English speaking skill was excellent! Reception staff in particular smiling, genuinely friendly and helpful! Fabulous buffet breakfast and array of freshly baked bread and fruit.

The air conditioning in hotel suite was linked to key card, so room temperature in suite got warm and uncomfortable upon being away for a few hours. I was given an additional key card to keep AC operating which kept room cool. Similar issue with phone or I pad charging that electricity switched off while out of hotel suite. It would be sensible to have 24 hour charging base for phones in room and in suite timer on AC allowing for 4, 6,8 and 12 hour AC operation

Breakfast was amazing , from the freshly squeezed orange juice to the availability of hot and cold menu with fresh fruit, pastries / cake daily .......... enjoyed with a glass of Prosecco if desired . Kitchen staff and waiters constantly available to assist and take special requests and attention to guests second to none . Front desk staff very willing and accommodating when booking excursions , taking the hassle away for guests . Hotel location superb to see and hear what’s going on in the town and there always seems to be a festival of one sort or another , we met some people who stayed a little way out at a large hotel and had no idea how much Funchal had to offer right on their doorstep .

Terrace area and some parts of the hotel i.e dinning room floor , ladies bathroom floor adjacent to The Iris Bar could do with an update and a little TLC. Terrace area can be busy when the sun comes out and cause a scramble for sun loungers . Be prepared to wait a little for drinks , snacks / lunch on the terrace , anything from 20- 40 mins ........ but worth waiting for and you’re on holiday enjoy the view ! Spa worth a visit for a luxury Voya seaweed treatment , however adjoining swimming pool and sauna can be noisy and distracting after the serenity of the Spa .