Quinta Bela Sao Tiago

The best thing about this hotel was the location. So many fabulous restaurants nearby and close to the cable car and bus stops. Sadly the hotel was not up to its 4 star rating. The staff seemed unfriendly with not a single good morning at breakfast or a hello as we passed the main desk every day. The coffee at breakfast came from a machine which dispensed instant coffee or sweet cappuccino. The only good thing at breakfast was the fresh bread but the toaster was so old that it was a mission getting the bread toasted. We gave up on pre dinner drinks as it seemed obvious that we were interrupting the dinner service. The rooms were adequate but dated with furniture that was falling apart. The bathroom was a disgrace. The toiletries seemed to be in short supply as one tiny bar of soap was expected to last us the week. We had to pay a daily charge for the safe which I have never heard of before. So many things wrong in what could be a fantastic hotel.

Funchal is the most relaxing holiday we've had for a long time, we stayed at Hotel Quinta Bela soa Tiago a lovely old former mansion house overlooking Funchal harbour from the terraces. Management and staff are the most friendly helpful hard working of any hotel staff we've seen the Charming group of hotels should take note! But reluctantly I have to say this hotel is not in the 4 star end of hotels and we've stayed in many over the last 40 years in many resorts. On the surface it's a good hotel but what lets it down is the beds are very hard but when I asked if they did mattress toppers they immediately supplied one, toiletries were not replenished daily except by Hannah she is lovely. The reception staff are great and very helpful with local information and enquiries printed for you and again very friendly. The pool area was kept very well has were the gardens, but the sun loungers were way past throwing away, every one sagged, was dirty with stains from years of sun oils and no mattresses for them which made them by far the most uncomfortable beds I've ever used! Most English guest were put into outer rooms overlooking the road and side street with no view, European guest had every sea, harbour and pool view rooms in the whole of the hotel, we requested a change of room only never got one in the whole 2 weeks we were their. Even though guests turn around was quiet often i.e.:- some guest only stayed days or at most one week it shouldn't have been beyond the management to have accomplished a change of room? Breakfast food was very limited with certain foods only put out once per week i.e.:- strawberries, tomatoes with little choice left. Catered for mostly European visitors, cold meat, cake etc. We have usually so many different choices at breakfast in every 4 star hotel we've ever stayed in but not here. Lunchtime meals or snacks were very good but pricey if you stayed in at this time but this is usual in most hotels.. But The Charming group of hotels should take note and put right these problems after all your prices don't reflect what's on offer to your guests who are paying 4 star money for 3 star standards.