Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

We spent six nights at Reid's recently for a special occasion and it totally lived up to expectation. We had a Deluxe Junior Suite which came with some extras including a charming private driver from the airport to the hotel door. Bear in mind though - all rooms have a...

We spent six nights at Reid's recently for a special occasion and it totally lived up to expectation. We had a Deluxe Junior Suite which came with some extras including a charming private driver from the airport to the hotel door. Bear in mind though - all rooms have a sea view, minibar with free soft drinks etc, so the suite is about a touch more space I think. For example, we had a sofa and a couple of chairs plus coffee table and a bath with separate rainfall shower. Think the regular rooms lose those extras. Still, not life and death. Our greeting was extremely welcoming and a delightful check in which allowed us to have drink of bubbles on the famous Reid's terrace whilst the bags were whisked away out of sight and the desk dealt with all that 'boring paperwork stuff'. As we finished we were then guided to our room (via a small hotel tour) which was comfortable and spacious. (We did have a noise issue with our room on day two, but the team (thanks Raoul - duty manager) sorted out a room switch to one just as beautiful - including their team moving all our belongings (still on hangers!) to the new room whilst we went out. A flawless switch - thank you. Rooms are plush, bathrooms delightful and one of the best beds I have slept in (including a pillow menu!). Turn down service and little gifts each day (bookmark, Reid's glasses cleaner, postcards, garden guide etc) were a delight. Oh - and that view - every room has a great balcony with a wonderful view of the sea as I say. Ours was right above the tea terrace so dead central in the oldest part of the hotel giving us a great panorama from Funchal harbour and around. Breakfast (as many have said) is one of the best I have encountered anywhere - sitting in the sunshine with exceptional table service AND extensive buffet choice. Superb Eggs Benedict, daily cooked specials, lots of great fruit, good coffee, Portugues tartlets, perfect fresh orange juice and daily detox juices. We also enjoyed Champagne on a couple of occasions - hey, why not. The staff on this section were wonderful and special mention to Elisabet and others who ran things like clockwork. I shamefully forget the name of the manager of this section who also showed us to our Private Dining meal (see below) but he was one of the warmest people we encountered during our stay. Really nice chap. Other dining at Reids is superb too - we dined at William twice (two different menus) - exemplary service and food and a visit from the head chef to explain courses - this place has one Michelin star, but honestly (having eaten at many, it deserves another one). We also ate at Villa Cipriani which was also excellent (and possibly the best beef fillet I think I have ever eaten. Afternoon Tea is also in here at present as they re-fit the cocktail bar, but that is no put-off - it was just superb in every way. Highlight for us was the private dining experience we booked in our own candle-lit room with personal waiter and chef. Top marks to Pedro Miranda on this evening who was a TOTAL delight - a wonderful waiter who we left feeling like we had known him for years. Cocktails on the terrace a just lovely and special thanks to Ivania who is one of the best servers i’ve come across - great suggestions, super friendly, super efficient. Pool staff are super attentive wherever you are always bringing towels, adjusting brollies, fresh water and occasionally getting free bits of fruit, cake or juices from the poolside restaurant brought around. The pools are wonderfully fresh and large if you want to do lengths. Loungers super comfortable too. These are mere details - the key here is the personal flawless service - the remembering who you are, asking how your day was, remembering what you were doing on days earlier, the formal yet playful interactions with the staff, that EVERY single player on the team greets with a smile you from the management to the gardeners. They just get this very right. It's classy to a Tee - and not in a 'Disney' sham way - this is the real deal. Old school charm and class. We also took a half day jeep ride organised by the hotel which took us to the highest peak (we saw SNOW!!! that morning we had been in the sea!), and then round the eastern side. Top marks to the driver who had SO much passion for the island it was infectious. Negatives? Not many at all and I don’t mention these to put anyone off, but think the hotel should note them. The minor quibble with the room I mentioned above has to be raised (though sorted amicably - I will say though our first room was SO close to where the refurb work was going on that I don’t think it should ever have been offered to a guest in the first place - we could see the room with the work just below our balcony. The duty manager himself said that his own office was noisy at times..). One other thing that did stand out was that whilst people started greeting us by name during our stay (as they remember you!) I found it odd when we arrived in their OWN limousine (not just an airport taxi) that the chap who opened the door asked who we were. Surely they should have known who was in the car with that plate? The driver had our name! A minor point, but surely an easy one for them to get right? (I appreciate that sounds VERY sniffy, but when you have six days of staff greeting you by name, surely the team at the door should know who you are too? All staff have iPads which surely have guest details at the press of a screen?). Finally - we booked the (free) hotel history tour which was superb and thanks so much to that guide, and also the garden tour. The garden tour was less ‘telling you about the garden’ more ‘tour guide telling you about her own history and other things she can arrange for you to do on the island’ which was odd. I ducked out before it ended.. Checkout was superb - on our last morning we were given a bottle of Madeira wine in the room and a really nice leather Reid's luggage tag on leaving to remember the hotel by. Then the bags suddenly appeared and off we went in our private car back to the airport. Total classy luxury, something we had been looking forward to for months and will now never forget. We were sad to leave. I could have written MUCH more - but honestly - go see for yourselves. Probably the best hotel stay I have ever had. No it's not hotel like the mega palaces of Dubai, but it's MUCH more classy than that glitz. As I say - this is the real deal. (n.b - have posted other individual reviews of the Reid's dining options)

Walked up from the port on a rainy day and decided to call in for lunch. All the staff were so friendly and the food and local wines excellent. We’ll have to go back for a few days and explore the lovely Island of Madeira. The total cost of a...

Walked up from the port on a rainy day and decided to call in for lunch. All the staff were so friendly and the food and local wines excellent. We’ll have to go back for a few days and explore the lovely Island of Madeira. The total cost of a one course lunch with wine and coffee came to approx £85. Bread and petit fours were complimentary. Excellent value

Absolutely perfect stay at Reids, management and staff were professional, friendly and fun, and make Reids the amazing hotel it very much deserves to be. The breakfast was fantastic, and the setting around the pool was both relaxing and beautiful. The temporary location for the cocktail bar is inspired; love...

Absolutely perfect stay at Reids, management and staff were professional, friendly and fun, and make Reids the amazing hotel it very much deserves to be. The breakfast was fantastic, and the setting around the pool was both relaxing and beautiful. The temporary location for the cocktail bar is inspired; love the bar table, and the balcony area is a breathtaking spot to sit, relax and whatch the world go by. A very special mention and thank you to the bar staff who were simply fantastic, and gave the bar a really fun and special feel. We had an amazing room overlooking the sea, with a balcony view which made the holiday extra special. We love Madeira, and Reids is, by far, the only place to stay; stunning gardens, amazing service, perfect location, incredible staff and management. Absolute perfect. We will be back soon. Thank you.

Beautiful and historic place which has a lot of history. Actress, Actors, royalty and Politian's which include Winston Churchill have stayed here. The old black and white photos that adorn the walls show a slice of life long gone but is so interesting.

This is the most beautiful and welcoming hotel. We loved it! Management sets the standard. The staff are so professional. I loved the out door sea pool. So much attentional to detail, everywhere. Looking forward to our return. Food is terrific.