nicole

We are thinking about Reid's Palace in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Is that a good place to honeymoon?

Maribel

Nicole,<BR>I loved Reid's (was there between Xmas-New Year's with my parents), but some have found it very "stuffy and overly formal". It is quite British- formal, but I don't mind at all dressing up for dinner, so the formality didn't bother me, and I did like very much the multi-tiered gardens and pool area and all the luxurious amenities (but then it wasn't on my "nickle"). Madeira itself is a magical place and one of the most memorable vacations I have ever had in my life! Kavey posted some other nice suggestions of places to stay that she liked even more and that are less exp. I hope she sees this and will weigh in here. If not, try the search function, and see if you can find her posts on her fairly recent visit to Madeira. You'll love the island! It's a truly lovely place.

kavey

Hello<BR>Kavey weighing in!<BR>Bread machine is beeping and I am just about to sign off, but please do email me with any specific questions and I will also try to respond here.<BR>For a honeymoon you might want to consider one of the much smaller and more intimate 5 star Quintas, many of which are converted "manor" homes.<BR>More soon<BR>Kavey

kavey

Madeira is a wonderful place for a honeymoon because there is lots to see but not in the sense of hundreds of key tourist attractions which you must tick off in order to return home satisfied.<BR><BR>It has outstanding natural beauty and is a geat place for romantic walks and low key pottering.<BR><BR>I have quickly culled this from advice I have given previously.<BR><BR><BR>The first bit of advice re Funchal hotels would be to avoid any situated in what is referred to as the hotel zone. <BR><BR>This is an area a little outside Funchal centre, which, as the name suggests, is full of hotels and related services. <BR><BR>With all the wonderful pleasures of Funchal to be enjoyed in an evening stroll I would recommend somewhere nearer into Funchal centre. <BR><BR>There were few places we passed often and thought looked well located and pleasant (didnt look inside) but I cant recall the names without checking in a few brochures... I would recognise the pictures and be able to match them up no problem. <BR><BR>We stayed in the Carlton Casino which is a huge hotel. Not really what I would normally choose, but we chose it for the superb location (one of the Quintas I mention is just near this and has an excellent location) and also, more importantly, because I work for a travel operator and get travel concessions, and this hotel happened to have a good deal on at the time! The rooms were very average, though perfectly comfortable, they certainly couldnt be referred to as luxurious by any stretch of the imagination, however, the hotel had a beautiful location, wonderful pool and gardens overlooking Funchal harbour, and was a quick walk either down into town towards the harbour or old town, or back towards the Reid/ Savoy hotels, amongst which are a number of great restaurants.<BR><BR>Staying in closer to the centre gives you access to so many truly excellent restaurants for your evening meals, as well as allowing the pleasure of strolling the harbour and town and parks at leisure... <BR><BR>When we were choosing a hotel for our 2nd visit, before we narrowed down by price and current special offers, there were a number of excellently located smaller quintas which we considered, one of which, Estalagem Quintinha Sao Joao, was highly recommended by one of our admin team on the island, who was kind enough to respond honestly to my questioning emails. <BR><BR>Hotels I have looked at:<BR><BR>Hotel Madeira <BR>3 star <BR>Location is right smack in the centre of Funchal (but its such a small little city that this is good not bad) and is located next door to the municipal gardens. Check building work as they were renovating it recently and this was why we ruled it out for Feb 2001. <BR><BR>Estalaem Quintinha Sao Joao <BR>5 star <BR>1.5 km from seafront and funchal centre <BR>This one was our top choice and highly recommended by my friend in the admin office there for a classy and intimate stay. We only didn't choose it because I wanted to use my company discounts which happened to be higher on the Carlton Park that week.<BR> <BR>...

kavey

I wrote a long reply and cannot post it even in chunks, so I am emailing it.<BR>If anyone else has questions please contact me.<BR>Kavey

kavey

Since part of of it DID post I will try the rest.<BR><BR>Penha de Franca <BR>We passed this one often as it is near a couple of very good restaurants, its location is very close to the Casino Park, between that and the Savoy... It looks like a good quality smaller hotel, nestled in between some of the larger ones.<BR><BR>Hotel Cliff Bay<BR>5 star<BR>This is between Reid's and Savoy and is much newer than many others, yet still within prime location. It seemed to offer 5 star accommodation with less stuff formality than Reid's and in fact we would have stayed here and not Savoy was there not building work that year.<BR><BR>As for the Savoy where we stayed for our first visit, we loved the rooms and hotel areas but thought the standard restaurants for breakfast and lunch were appalling, the only good one being the very posh Grill on the top floor. The breakfast buffet at the much cheaper Carlton Park beat the Savoy's hands down. <BR><BR>There are many many wonderful restaurants in Funchal. <BR>My favourite is the Quinta da Palmeira. It's on the main Avenida up from Funchal in the direction of the Hotel Zone, between the Carlton Park Hotel and Casino and the Savoy. <BR><BR>It's a little expensive, about UK60/70 for 2 including a bottle of wine, but the food is absolutely fabulous and we usually go there twice during a week stay. <BR><BR>Another great restaurant if you want to splash out is the Grill on the top floor of the Savoy hotel, I think you need to dress for this one, I seem to recall. Very good food and service, quite expensive. Lovely though. <BR><BR>Other favourites include <BR>Dona Amelia <BR>Casa Velha <BR>Casa dos Reis <BR><BR>which are in the area near Carlton Park and Savoy. <BR><BR>We also really enjoy walking down to the harbour and having some fresh kebabs of beef or seafood... <BR><BR>I always get confused between Espetada and Espadarte but I believe the first is the Madeiran skewer and the second a local fish which looks a lot like a long black toothy eel, it is a real local dish, actually very good, a white soft fish which I enjoy served with Banana in the local way. <BR><BR>These restaurants on the harbour front are much much cheaper, but also a lot more basic, the food is still great though. <BR><BR>Also walk across to the Old Town for another great selection of restaurants, most offering good food, though see if you can peer in at what those already dining have on their plates, the prices here are much lower again than those in the first list of restaurants I provided. <BR><BR><BR>Apart from one meal, provided within a full day coach excursion to the far side of the island, mass catering for tourists in a canteen atmosphere, we have not eaten badly in Funchal. <BR><BR>Kavey<BR>

elina

I have been six times to Madeira, and I would say that it is an excellent place for a honeymoon. Cannot really say anything about Reid?s, bevause I like to stay in a hotel called Atlantic Bay (just outside Funchal, right next to the roaming ocean). But Atlantic Bay is too modest for a honeymoon, so I would also say that some five star finca would be a good choice. <BR><BR>If you like walking in the nature, walk at least one "levada". A good, typical one goes from Ribeiro Frio to Portela. Also the mountain walk through the three great peaks is spectacular, but you have to be in good shape.<BR><BR>Funchal is a charming town, and Madeira is an enchanting place. Just remember to explore also the countryside.

Paige

Last month we stayed at the Quinta Casa Branca and loved it! It's a really nice, cozy, romantic hotel. The staff was wonderful. I think it would be a nice place to spend a honeymoon.

ROSE

I did honeymoon in Madeira, 13 years ago. The travel agent said the island was known for ' Newly weds and nearly deads!!'. This is an exaggeration, though there were no beaches and no discos, so it doesn't tend to attract younger people looking for a wild time. Suits me!. I haven't been back since, as we loved it so much and had such a great time, we thought the island may have changed so much that it would spoil the memory. We went to Reids for afternoon tea and sat on the verandah, went on the tobogan down this hill (can't remember name - but must do). We hired taxis for the day and they took us to all the sights (it was v.cheap and more intimate than a bus tour).Go to the other side of the island, which is v.dramatic. Food was fantastic and people v. friendly. I hope you decide to go and will be as happy as I have been. Good Luck.