The Views Baia - Adults Only

“Great hotel”

Stayed for a week May 2024. Enjoyed it and would recommend the hotel. Location is a little way from the main town area and if you are out of condition (like me) the walk up the hill will be a bit of a slog initially, but we were fairly skipping up the hill by the end of the week. The back way ... more

Stayed for a week May 2024. Enjoyed it and would recommend the hotel. Location is a little way from the main town area and if you are out of condition (like me) the walk up the hill will be a bit of a slog initially, but we were fairly skipping up the hill by the end of the week. The back way out of the hotel (which is the easiest way to the main street) is not immediately obvious, you need to go down to level 0 and out through the car park. It is a little way to walk to the restaurants, bars, etc in Funchal (they aren’t right next door) but there are a lot of options within 15-20 minutes’ walk, and some closer still. Pool area is clean, tidy, well kept. There were always sun beds available when we wanted them. The hotel bar was good, decent options available and by hotel bar price standards, not horrific (especially at happy hour when everything was 25% off!). There were often bands playing who were not to our taste but in the early evening they were not too intrusive, and the bar area was big enough that you could sit around the corner and basically ignore them. Breakfast was decent - lots of options, all pretty fresh and decent quality. Coffee from the machine was good. It could get a bit busy at times but never problematically so. We didn’t eat dinner in the hotel so can’t comment on the evening meal. Rooms - we booked a studio room. The studios are effectively in a separate wing to the main hotel so if you are concerned about noise from the entertainment etc, they are a good option - our room was very quiet and we weren’t disturbed at all during our stay. No sea view from this side of the hotel but the mountain view is dramatic enough for me! The kitchenette is small but functional. Bed was twins pushed together but large and comfortable. The room as a whole was spacious and comfortable. The only complaints we had were: (1) the air conditioning was TERRIBLE and we couldn’t get the room down to a “normal” temperature for sleeping (I’d prefer 20-ish, my partner lower than that, and according to the thermostat it was at best 23 C), and the lighting is pretty dim even in the bathroom so difficult to do make-up. Safe is free (contrary to the website info!) but on the small side. You couldn’t get a laptop in it, but a large tablet is ok. We had an issue with being charged for water in the without being told that this was an extra, but reception took it off the bill at check-out without quibbling. Reception was very helpful throughout our stay with info, booking taxis, etc.

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“Great long weekend break”

Three of us stayed for 4 nights in a studio room. Unfortunately these rooms are at the back of the hotel so do not have sea views. Look down and you see a car park and look ahead and you see the castle and at night the view of the lights is spectacular. The studio came with a small kitchenette wh... more

Three of us stayed for 4 nights in a studio room. Unfortunately these rooms are at the back of the hotel so do not have sea views. Look down and you see a car park and look ahead and you see the castle and at night the view of the lights is spectacular. The studio came with a small kitchenette which is well equipped and tea and coffee making facilities are provided. There were 2 single beds pushed together and a ready made up sofa bed in the kitchen area. Good air conditioning which is only activated when your key card is in the slot and the patio doors are closed. There is no iron in the room. There is a huge wardrobe with enough space to store suitcases and hangers are provided. There is also a safe but you need to ask reception for the key. This hotel is very well run and maintained to a high standard. We didn’t visit the indoor pool and spa but the outside pool is lovely. More than enough beds when we there with cushions and umbrellas. Although in peak season I would imagine it would get very busy. A special mention to the girls on reception. All were very friendly and super helpful. In fact all of the staff we encountered were lovely. We were on bed and breakfast and breakfast was always great. Plenty of choice and they catered very well for my coeliac friend and gave her gluten free bread and a croissant and 2 small cakes each morning. The bathroom was fairly spacious and had a walk in shower (no bath) the water pressure was great. Complimentary hand wash and hair and body wash is provided. We opted not to have our room cleaned daily and we got a reduction of €3 per night but this comes off purchases (drinks, spa treatments etc) not of the cost of the room. The walk to Funchal is all downhill and a fairly easy stroll. The walk up however is exhausting, especially in the heat. Those hills are pretty steep! There is a complementary shuttle bus 3 times a day but this only runs Monday - Friday. I can’t comment on the restaurant for lunch or dinner as we always ate out. The bar area is very nice with spectacular views of the sea, hills and lights at night. Good cocktails and lovely bar staff. There was evening entertainment each night but the music wasn’t really to my taste, although they did get a good reception (especially from my friends) Adults only = no children, which around the pool area was absolute bliss. We really enjoyed our stay at this lovely hotel and would recommend it if you don’t mind being outside of the hustle and bustle of the town and you’re relatively fit.

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“Views Baia”

Clean and option when to have room serviced, friendly staff willing to assist when asked. Food in main dining room was not of standard we normally experience on jet2 holidays. On several occasions we had lukewarm offerings with many offerings not labelled. Repetitive over the week and limited, se... more

Clean and option when to have room serviced, friendly staff willing to assist when asked. Food in main dining room was not of standard we normally experience on jet2 holidays. On several occasions we had lukewarm offerings with many offerings not labelled. Repetitive over the week and limited, seemed to be mainly catering for German residents preferences. Pool bar menu was superior in choice and standards.

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“Disappointing after a great stay in 2023!”

We visited this hotel in February 2023 and really enjoyed the central location, spa facilities and comfortable facilities. Having stayed again this month, we would no longer recommend the hotel, for the following reasons. 1. The hotel is obviously now featured by tour operators in France and Germ... more

We visited this hotel in February 2023 and really enjoyed the central location, spa facilities and comfortable facilities. Having stayed again this month, we would no longer recommend the hotel, for the following reasons. 1. The hotel is obviously now featured by tour operators in France and Germany, as there are large and noisy groups of “older folk” from both countries who make the environment much busier and noisier than was the case, and you should be aware that, apparently, it’s deemed “OK” to go naked in the sauna in Germany, so expect some old guy in there with his Crown Jewels hanging out - hardly relaxing nor pleasant after a hard day’s hike! 2. The pool bar now bans pool users who are not dressed and wearing shoes, but they are unwilling to serve drinks at the pool! So if you’re having a swim, be prepared to get dressed and put your shoes on should you fancy getting yourself a cold beer! 3. The hotel appears to be trying to be environmentally-conscious, with its €3 per day incentive to forsake room cleaning. However, if you’re minded to help the environment by taking advantage of this scheme, not only will your room remain uncleaned, but you’ll receive no tea/coffee/milk, have your cups taken away and your bath towels reduced to a single for you to share for your stay - big savings for the hotel, but €3 for the guest - seems a little unfair!

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