Guest reviews Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

by JAMES L Salisbury, United Kingdom

NICE TO RETURN AFTER 21 YEARS

We were last here for our 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1999 and it was great to spend Christmas here. This is an old established Hotel which on approach is like an old country house with entrance gates and a curved cobbled driveway shaded by trees round to the entrance. The welcome at the hotel is very warm and our receptionist escorted us to our lovely room one floor down. The rooms have very high ceilings but are beautifully decorated and furnished in classic style with impeccable Portuguese bed linen. Out of the patio doors we had a very private palm tree filled garden where we could relax in the warm sunshine. Funchal probably does not have any bad hotels but Reids is a different level of experience and to come here on a bed and breakfast basis is a serious mistake since the food and wines available are exceptional and the service absolutely superb. Our half board included the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Gala Dinners with Michelin star exceptional cuisine which also extends to The William Restaurant where the chef really shows off his culinary excellence where he serves 5 courses plus Amuses Bouches and Coffee and Petits Fours with exceptional wine pairings. Villa Cipriani is the on site Italian themed restaurant where the food and service is also incredible. I have tremendous respect for hotel staff who devote their lives to caring for us at all hours of the day and the team at Reids are courteous, friendly and professional at what they do, including our chamber maid who serenaded us with Christmas Carols in English Can't wait to return.

by Crowflem Aylesbury, United Kingdom

Little piece of paradise

Me and my partner had the pleasure of a 4 night stay at the Belmond Reid in July 2019, we had booked 5 nights but missed our flight which is another story, but I digress. The hotel is magnificent, the service impeccable and I have never been made to feel more welcome and comfortable than at the Belmond. The breakfast was lavish but relaxed and the perfect way to start every day. Whilst exploring the hotel and it's beautiful rooms and gardens, you really do get a sense of luxury and splendour and it's not hard to see why it has been the choice of royalty and high society over the years. A must for anybody who appreciates the finer things in life. I would like to know how one gets to reside their permanently 👌

by 162LouiseM Rochester, United Kingdom

Great Hotel but Something Missing

After having four trips cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, we booked 10 days in Reid’s over Christmas as a treat and kept our fingers crossed we would get away. We arrived to a warm, Covid-safe welcome and were seated on the terrace while they put the finishing touches to our room. We were a bit early, so this was fine. Our room was lovely, leading out on to the gardens, overlooking the sea. Immaculately clean with great facilities. No tea or coffee tray - not sure if this is normal or a Covid precaution! Free soft drinks in the mini bar. Antivirus spray and masks provided. Breakfast was mostly good apart from the fact that any hot buffet items were lukewarm, at best. One day our eggs Benedict didn’t arrive until we chased them up, and when they came they were stone cold. Not what you expect from a 5 star hotel! When we said “they’re cold” the waiter just smiled and said “yes”! When a hot replacement did arrive it was delicious. The hotel only sells Portuguese wines in the Cocktail Bar and the waiter appeared to have very limited knowledge around wines in general. My husband asked for a really nice, full-bodied wine and the waiter just turned up with a bottle, showed my husband the label and started to pour. When my husband asked him about the wine he just said that it came from the mainland. It was an OK wine but we were disappointed with the lack of knowledge and customer engagement. We brought this to the attention of the head off food and beverage team, who dealt with the problem very well and treated us like royalty thereafter! We even got a couple of drinks on the house to make up for it. William restaurant was incredible. The sommelier there was spot on, as were the waiting staff, especially Cindy who made the experience even more special. The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day gala dinners were both amazing. Food and service were top notch and the wine and champagne really flowed. The reception staff were great when my flight home was cancelled. They printed off all my new boarding passes and Covid related paperwork for our replacement flight and organised our taxi to the airport, which was cheaper and more luxurious than the local yellow taxis! To summarise, I’d say that we were happy with Reid’s and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. There were just a couple of things that didn’t live up to the five star standard and price! We go to Madeira at least once a year. We always wanted to try Reid’s and are glad we did, but our next stay will probably be at a different luxury hotel.

by Gooyellmo Paris, France

Perfect getaway within Europe

We would not have planned a trip to Madeira if it was not for lock down reasons and I have to say we were pleasantly surprised, we ate wonderfully (also thanks to the advise from the hotel) and had a great spring time only a few hour flight from Europe. The hotel is beautiful, very old world, has been there forever, extremely charming, and elegant. The best feature is the pool area and the sea access, absolutely incredible. The rooms have been redone, are fresh, but are also dated, no 5 star superior would design a room like that in 2020 but they were after all designed in 1927 so I guess it makes sense. Not a bargain for NYE, but nothing is cheap at those dates. I will most definitely go back! Loved it.

by 316fs Sicily, Italy

Well-run Grand Hotel, what a pleasure!

So much good has been said about this well-run beautiful old Grand Hotel at Funchals steep and ruffled coast, it is hard to add something new. So far, a stay there is still a real treat, even if rooms are a little old fashioned. With its outstanding cuisine (Gourmet restaurant), its beautiful pool areas and gardens, afternoon teas and excellent services, it is well worth your time and money...