Funchal Madeira Hotels and Travel Guide, Travel Destinations - Discount Holidays, Package Holidays

Funchal, Madeira
Travel Bytes

Our undercover travel writing couple were on a mission - find one or two reasonably priced 2 to 3 star hotels / aparthotels in Funchal, Madeira. Of course, they jumped at the opportunity.

After initial research, they quickly narrowed down their choices to two hotels / apartment hotels.

Florasol / Dorrisol, Funchal, Madeira

This 3 star hotel is nicely situated in a tourist zone just 300 meters from the Atlantic Ocean and the Lido. You have to walk downhill to get to the promenade. That's easy. However, getting back to Florasol means climbing uphill and that is a little bit harder when you try it the first couple of times. You'll get fitter and healthier within a few days!

Funchal City Centre is just 3 KM away (free hotel courtesy bus or a short taxi ride). Funchal Madeira airport is 25 minutes away.

The reception area, swimming pool, leisure room, bar, restaurant, hotel rooms (with sea views, garden views, kitchenette, bathroom / wc,  telephone, tv, radio) are all clean and well maintained.

The staff are friendly and they smile.

If you book via a good Internet hotel booking agency, you can find daily rates from Euros. 50 to 70. Book directly with Florasol and you may end up paying Euros. 78 per night. Beware, some "agents" charge more than the official rates.

Aparthotel Duas Torres, Funchal, Madeira

This 3 star aparthotel is on the same street as Florasol but closer to the Atlantic Ocean. You can walk to the promenade and back again without feeling out of breath.

If you book online, you will first be attracted by the price - around 20% cheaper than Florasol. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

The reception area is outdated and you wouldn't really want to spend any time there. Sea views and garden views are spoilt as the gardens are not well cared for. The beds should be replaced with new ones.

Duas Torres boasts an excellent location and it is a real shame the services and facilities let it down badly. We didn't see a single smile during our inspection trip.

Hidden charges ...

Here's something else to bear in mind - hidden charges. We made around the same number of phone calls from Florasol and Duas Torres. Florasol charged us a very reasonable sum. Duas Torres charged us three times more than Florasol. The initial "cheap hotel price" wasn't a bargain after all.

Florasol Funchal is a pleasant 3 star experience. We can't fault it in any way.

Duas Torres Funchal on the other hand left us with a sour taste. At best, we would rate it as a basic 2 star experience.