superb hotel with very friendly staff. not much for young children to do in terms of dedicated child facilities, just the swimming pools, but they're made to feel very welcome. dinner starts at 7.00, although poolside bar is open all day. Food is excellent, but there are no child menu/portions. They are, however, very accommodating in the kitchen and will whip something up (pasta, soup) if there's nothing on the menu suitable. An hotel minibus makes regular trips down to funchal, a cablecar nearby takes you up to monte where you can ride the toboggans down the cobbled streets and the beautiful botanical gardens are also closeby. A very relaxing place to stay, would definitely recommend for families and couples.

emma arnold, Oct 2005