I can’t judge this hotel based on room rates: bought an Azores Getaways package (flight + hotels) with 7 nights in Funchal plus 4 in Ponta Delgada, and for whatever reason at the time (very early this year) Golden Residence was the default selection (no extra costs) – haven't changed it since reviews were good.
Not clear why some people complain about the layout: pretty straightforward to understand and navigate. Buildings A and B are suites (real suites: separate bedroom), while building C (closest to the sea/restaurant/spa) has regular rooms.
Suites are pretty large, the bathroom is the largest I’ve seen recently in Europe – all the complex is designed to be easily accessible if in wheelchair (shower included!) Suites also have a small kitchen but, sadly, no TV in the bedrooms… All have balconies, with some side sea view. One might wait for elevators, especially in high season. Well maintained, clean, and (at least in October) quiet.
A couple of details:
- The room safe must be rented, EUR 1.50/day (“order” it at the reception, then you can use it).
- Each guest gets a towel card for the pools (OK in size, not very large but land in the area must come with a high premium), one can change it once a day. When checking out one must return the pool towel (green – bathroom ones are white) or the towel card, or pay EUR 35.
- The pool bar is cashless, only room charge. The restaurant the same, only I believe one can pay by credit card too. For breakfast especially bring the room card-holding envelope received at check-in.
- Restaurant/bar are good, prices in line with the area.
- The hotel has evening buffet deals: 4 for the price of 3, or 7 for 6. Daily price is EUR 24, or 26.50 (no additional taxes) to include 0.5 l of house wine or sangria or beer, water, and coffee (one may ask for tea instead). Buffets are good (with a nicely organized one on Thursdays – grill near the sea/pool), but it can get repetitive after a while (as all buffets do).
- The restaurant does not serve tap (as in free) water.
- The bar has daily deals on a drink, plus daily cake and coffee/tea between 12 PM and 4 PM (if I’m not mistaken).
- Although to the west end (and technically in Sao Martinho I think, a town completely integrated in “mega”-Funchal), it’s easy to get to the city centre/marina either by local bus or just walking (I’d say one hour each way if steady, no rush).
- Quite close to the biggest mall in town (one can get to the street level from 5th floor in building A, a special entry controlled to the interior by room cards), the hop-on/hop-off stops, and plenty of restaurants in (short) walking distance.
- If you like walking, a nice walk eastward on Promenade Lido, or westward via Playa Formosa on Promenade Funchal (toward Camara de Lobos). Maybe get proper shoes for the beach, no flip-flops: it’s pebbled beach in one area, and the pebbles can be 3 to 10 Kg heavy.
- All day-trips/tours collect passengers at the hotel. Even if you want to do the Porto Santos ferry trip (leaving marina at 8 AM daily), there is a special bus stopping here shortly after 7. In October the sunrise is around 7:30 AM.
- Haven’t tried the spa services.
- To get fresh towels one must leave them on the floor, always a bit reluctant (probably have been too many times to Cuba). One day (Oct. 5) happened to be an important local holiday (Day of the Republic) and many smaller restaurants/shops were closed (without a posted notice) – service came later that day (I guess many people had the day off) but it happened towards 3 PM (I was planning to get and use a clean pool towel), otherwise much earlier in the day.
- October seems to be a great time to visit, few tourists (my guess as first-time visitor) and great weather – had one rain in seven days, and at least two days with 27-29*C and clear skies.
Highly recommended, would be happy to return here but the main factor would be the YYZ-FNC flight prices before a hotel selection.
