Pestana Carlton Madeira Hotel

love this hotel, from the start very friendly and helpful reception staff , we were allocated a corner room 1522 which had duel aspect patio doors and a wrap around balcony , like us if you dont want the expense of a sea view room corner rooms are the best alternative the rooms very clean and well equipped, bathroom very nice good shower and easy to use , breakfast is a real treat plenty of fresh food available well cooked , fresh fruit , a good amount of coffee machines ,really sets you up for the day , get down early and get a table outside and enjoy the view whist eating, the hotel also employ a Hawk to keep pigeons away .... great idea .... the hotel also has a really nice friendly pub attached plenty of sport showing on the tvs and really nice food the fish and chips are really good as id the Pizza , the hotels offers entertainment in the evening which we found a treat , sit have a drink and enjoy this hotel is really worth a stay , excellent location great service couldn't have asked for better

We booked the Carlton via a package holiday but with the benefit of hindsight could have secured a much nicer room location had we booked our holiday separately. That said that's not the hotel's fault. We were initially allocated a room to the rear overlooking the car park barrier. We had a narrow balcony but it was shaded (permanently in March it appeared). However the room itself for 2 adults and a teenager was excellent - very large with good bathroom, and excellent storage. There was a comfortable chair to sit and read or even watch TV though I couldn't tell you what was on! Staff were very nice. We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis and I'd definitely recommend it. There was a wide array of food at breakfast with omelettes cooked on request, fresh fruit, yogurts, cereals, cakes, pastries, hot food including boiled eggs, salad, cheeses, hams, juices, hot drinks and even fizzy wine. Definitely worth enjoying. If you've booked without breakfast you can buy flexible dining there ie 3 dinners or 3 - 7 breakfasts. Breakfast is amazing value at around E12 - 15 depending on if you have it one day or more. The restaurant staff were outstanding - great service. I had dinner in the restaurant the night of the seafood buffet. This was excellent and good value with a good selection on offer. The buffet style doesn't suit us as much at dinner but there was also an adjacent restaurant offering a la carte so something to suit everyone. We did ask to see a room overlooking the sea. The view was outstanding with balconies in the sun most of the day. A real treat but at E49/night extra we opted to stay where we were though part way through our holiday did make the move to a garden room on the side of the property. This comprised a separate bedroom and all the facilities of the original room. The corridor was long and storage incredible. It had 2 good sized balconies with a wicker sofa and 2 reclining chairs with stools. It was so peaceful and the view of the gardens towards Reids very relaxing. If you can get a front room at this time of year or a garden one - it is much more relaxing. The hotel is in a great location within easy walking distance of the port and town centre though it is on a hill on the way back. You can also walk out of the hotel to the left and round by lots of little shops and hotels. This is a pleasant walk too. There's a taxi rank outside the hotels and trips will pick you up at the door. Just up on the main road there's a small office offering trips. The Irish lady there had great craic and her recommendations for our family were spot on. Do look her up. She's got a small dog called

We spent a week in Funchal at the beginning of February. We stayed at the Pestana Carlton and what a treat. The Hotel really feels like a resort with hairdresser, shops, gorgeous restaurants, wonderful swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) gardens too but although it is a very large hotel it still feels very cosy with several seating areas on different floors with amazing view of the ocean. Our room was spacious with a balcony/ terrace with table and chairs overlooking the harbour, quite fun watching these enormous cruisers and the sun rise every morning. Both room and bathroom were spotless. The buffet breakfast was excellent with a variety of breads, fruits, egg dishes etc. It was served in a beautiful room with the most amazing terrace facing the sea, the staff was wonderful, it was really nice to be greeted every morning with a smile and a few friendly words. The hotel is on a hill and probably about a mile from the old town, we love walking so it wasn???t a problem but there is also buses virtually across the road. There is loads of restaurant around the hotel too and a small shop in the street opposite if you want to pick up water or other bits. Madeira is an amazing place it was our first time there and I would really love to return and stay at this hotel again.