Guest reviews Melia Madeira Mare

by GMnemonic

Good days away from rain

We went to this hotel after a cancellation of our trip by our tour operator. We still are inside Melia Madeira Mãre, We got in contact with the hotel on dec 15 2020 before booking with Susana Silva who mistakenly informed us that the spa and all of its facilities where open. So on arrival we where unpleasantly suprised to discover the facilities where closed due to covid. As this is tge reason we booked this hotel specifically. Fortunately for us after some talks eith the staff and manager the hotel offered us a good solution to our troubles. Ehich we thought was fair. We could have the vacation we wanted, they even offered us two free umbrellas on a rainy day. The breakfast at the hotel is one of the better ones that doesnt feel heavy on the stomach. We thought the beds where a bit though but that too was easily solved by the staff, in 2 goes. Unfortunately due to covid you should expect the hotel to have some facilities closed. It was more rainy and still is then usual for this time of year, all in all Melia Madeira Mãre offered us a good stay and helped us get a solution to our troubles with some effort and even offered us 2 free umbrellas on rainy days, like a savehaven for a boat in a storm and they kept our heads away and safe from rain. This is what you expect your hotel to offer, we had some problems but all where resolved by staff in a try or 2, it is not the best hotel on our list but we we had a good stay. Everything comes in doubles, thank you melia for helping us getting the vacation we booked and expected and the stay we wanted. It took you some time to figure it out but it was a fair solution

by cannylad1973 Sunderland, United Kingdom

Very Good Hotel in a Great Location

Due to ongoing travel restrictions, we ended up in Madeira over Christmas 2020 somewhat accidentally. However, it proved to be an excellent destination, so much so that we were genuinely astonished never to have hitherto given it serious consideration. The island is beautiful, clean, safe and offers a very wide variety of places to see/visit, eat/drink. The Melia Mare is a brisk, pleasant 20 minute walk from the centre of Funchal or less than 10 minutes in a bus/taxi located close to the hotel. The hotel itself is clean, comfortable and stylish. The staff were extremely friendly, courteous and professional. We had a room on the 5th floor with a 'side sea view'. The rooms were cleaned and bedding/towels changed every 2 days. Everything was very COVID-19 safe, including plenty of sanitiser stations, self temperature checks, mask wearing etc. The buffet breakfast was varied and plentiful, and very well organised for everyone's safety and comfort. The outdoor and indoor pool areas are very spacious, with constant cleaning and sanitisation of loungers, chair, tables etc. The hotel is in a lovely area, very close to the beach, surrounded by lots of shops, bars, restaurants as an alternative to going into Funchal centre. We would rate this hotel highly and would definitely include it as an option when we return to Madeira.

by Thenovicetravellers London, United Kingdom

Four Star Hotel

We are currently moving around Madeira staying at different hotels whilst working remotely, so I will be writing reviews of each of them (along with restaurants) as we go. The Melia was our first hotel, where we stayed for four nights. Good Points: Large room with lounge and desk area. Stunning balcony view over the sea. Excellent WiFi in the bedroom. Good shower pressure in the bedroom. Good size indoor and outdoor pools. Lennie one of the waiters at breakfast was very attentive and had a wonderful positive attitude. Negative Points: Small double bed. Weak air conditioning - we had to keep the doors open at night to cool the room (bearing in mind it is November). Thin walls between the bedrooms - there was a toddler in the room next door and we could hear everything. The plug in the bath did not seal properly, so you were unable to have a bath without losing the water. The rooms are only cleaned every other day. Excessive COVID measures in the gym - you are watched like a hawk for your entire work out and constantly told what you can and can’t do. There are numerous personal trainers so we got the impression that they are less accommodating if you just come in and do your own workout. Overall this is not a five star hotel. We booked this hotel at a significant discount, so I have increased the review from three to four stars to reflect the price/value.

by belindatN8756XK

All the atmosphere of a Travel Lodge

I was expecting a really great hotel experience. But The room cleaned only every other day, but refreshed for one day, so we ran out of coffee and loo roll on a regular basis. No bath robes in the room ‘due to COVID’ but aren’t towels more personal, it seemed that they were just cutting costs. The outdoor furniture was piled up in a heap, on the upper sun deck, so the hotel looked to be closed. Thank goodness for Carlos (trainee) on breakfast reception and Lennie a server at breakfast who were terrific and actually spoke, and were interested. The breakfast was good and all precautions possible taken including mask wearing, using disposable gloves and temperature checks whilst you were there. The main reception staff either ignored customers or were hidden in the back office. Everywhere was very quiet and soul-less, far more could have been done create a warm welcome for so few guests, so very disappointed with the Melia. But loved Madeira even if we were forced home by the tour operator 6 days early.

by Superhooooper Barnet

Nice hotel but avoid half board at all costs!

The hotel is very nice but the evening meal is terrible. On arrival we were welcomed at reception by a friendly face and we were efficiently checked in - the hotel has very strict Covid protection policies which is very necessary in current times. We had to issolate in our room whilst we waited for our Covid test result, which we underwent at the airport. This took about 8 hours and we were offered our evening meal in our room whilst we waited. This meal was freshly cooked and was delicious. The hotel was spotless and, in particular, the pool area was constantly being cleaned and sun beds once vacated were cleaned before the next person arrived. Breakfast was the usual buffet affair and guests were temperature checked before being allowed in the dining room and you were given plastic gloves which you had to wear when loading you plate. Breakfast was quite good, although we did notice that when items ran out they were not replaced. Additionally the hot food was sometimes cold - a tip here is to watch out for the newly fried eggs! In the dining room was the star of the hotel - Lenine - who was one of the most friendliest people I have ever met and the whole restaurant seemed to run much more efficiently when he was there. Unfortunately, for us he had a couple of shifts off and then the service became sloppy, and one member of staff was quite rude to us. The evening buffet was one of the worst experiences we have ever had. The a-la-carte restaurant was closed and so the buffet was all that was available. The main course, of which there was 3/4 choices were so dried up and unappetizing looking. It looks like they were put out at 6pm and stayed there all night until and nothing was freshly cooked. We visited the buffet on 2 occasions and the last time we went there we looked at the dried up offerings and just walked out. Advice is to not book half board and use the many other local restaurants. The hotel was excellent but very badly let down by the restaurant.