Quintinha São João Hotel & Spa

The Quintinha Sao João is a very special property. Situated close to Funchal's vibrant centre, it is set in a couple of acres of carefully tended gardens and offers discriminating guests everything to ensure a perfect stay. Common parts throughout the hotel are all spacious, flooded with natural light, impeccably maintained, and charmingly furnished. Guest rooms are large, well decorated and extremely comfortable. The double beds are vast and extremely comfortable too. Balconies are generously sized and offer pleasant views. The hotel has an excellent, comfortable and well stocked bar The Vasco de Gama, which opens daily from 11.00am and also serves light meals though to 6.30pm This opens onto a charming and large terrace which is full of flowers and is shaded by ancient trees. The bar manager, Antonio, and his skillful team ensure that time spent here is a relaxing pleasure. The hotel's restaurant A Morgadinha has a large and dedicated following amongst Funchal's affluent business community and offers a unique and varied selection of Portuguese and European dishes daily. Open from 7.00pm daily, there is also a regular choice of Goan curries on offer. Guests are always recommended to reserve their tables here, so as to avoid disappointment. Other facilities include a games room, and well equipped gym, a vast underground car park for guests and diners, a world class spa for those wanting to be pampered, and a shuttle bus service, although Funchal's prime shopping area is just a 15 minute walk away. There are two swimming pools as well. Standards of service throughout the hotel are truly exceptional, and every staff member will go out of their way to ensure each guest's stay is both memorable and perfect.

There are so many positives. The staff are excellent and if approached in a friendly manner are happy to banter (I like these humorous exchanges). Breakfast buffet has a very wide choice. The evening "daily menu" (their equivalent to the table d'hote) is very good and has, for the main course, a fish, meat and vegetarian choice. There is also the a la carte menu which is very good. Wine choice excellent. The bar is pleasant and on 2 or 3 nights a week has a piano player/singer. Indoor pool is very good ( I think I was bitten by mosquitos here while sunbathing, so bring mosquito repellent). Spa available but bit on the pricey side. The rooms are good with tea and coffee making facilities enough to last 2 or 3 days until you get into the swing of going to the bar and drinking on the terrace. Further tea/coffee can be ordered if needed. Water in the room fridge. The location is about 20 mins walk from Funchal town centre. Clearly to be this close there is a compromise of some background noise, but not enough to spoil sitting in the very nice garden. Funchal is indeed full of steep slopes so bring blister plasters just in case. Do make a point of seeing the "Courtesy desk" (their equivalent to the Concierge) of Rosie. She is a force of nature and will find a tour activity to suit you, and if this were to include a tour with Madeira Electric Tours, grab it with both hands as Robbie is outstanding. With so many positives I did wonder why there were any negative reviews at all. I think there are 2 main reasons. First this is not an English or American 5 star hotel with all of their facilities and (cold?) efficiency. This in English terms is a boutique hotel catering to an older refined audience, hence expectations can be different. Second reason is more cultural in that Madeirans are very friendly and want to please, but they don't react well to be talked down to or as inferior servants. Would we stay again, absolutely.

This was our third stay here at Quintinha São João. It really feels like the most wonderful home away from home rather than a hotel. You're made to feel so welcome and looked after by the most dedicated and friendly staff. I can't imagine anywhere else in Funchal coming even close to this place. And it's all mostly because of the staff too. They can't do enough for you. Everyone from the reception staff to the serving staff to the cleaners and the spa staff made us once again feel so welcomed and went out of their way when it came to being of assistance to us. A special shout out is due to the restaurant staff, especially during breakfast time. The buffet is constantly topped up with fresh food and they're super fast with your coffee/tea and non-buffet orders. I'm sure we will be back for a fourth visit to Madeira in a year or two and needless to say that we will stay here. The loveliest hotel I've ever stayed in anywhere. It feels so odd to call it a hotel because I really do see it as my other home!

Stayed here for two weeks in January. The staff were fantastic throughout, and only being a small hotel it didn’t take long to know them all! The food in the restaurant was excellent, we were there on a b & b basis, but would struggle to find a better evening venue to eat at. However we throughly recommend Portaliano either for lunch or dinner. Minor drawbacks it’s a bit of a climb from the centre, but Ubers are readily accessible, the other minor factor for us is that the hotel had no afternoon sun. Looking forward to our return though.

Another lovely stay at this delightful hotel, hopefully not our last. There are simply no negatives about this place, spacious comfortable and well appointed rooms, wonderful food and staff who are thoroughly professional, always smiling and for whom customer service is paramount. This lovely hotel never disappoints.

Understated elegant hotel . Very comfortable . Wonderful breakfasts