Orca Praia

There should be warning on this hotel that you need 6 approx 110 steps and steep slope to get to the pool, beach and prom. Nice pool and plenty of sun beds. Rooms are clean and a decent size. Large bed but far too hard, had to sleep on top of duvet. TV too small to see from bed. No dressing table stool or small table. Rubbish hairdryer Had, a strong coiled up lead may be ok if you are left handed and stand right up to the wall. Breakfast same each day and 40 euros if you want the evening buffet which seemed expensive compared with other places. No atmosphere to bar more like cafe needs breaking up into areas with plants etc, no stage, basic entertainment. Good if you book free mini bus into Funchal runs 4 times a day or you can get bus for 2 euros. Lovely fishing village approx 30 minute walk. Has lovely restaurants. We went a few times. Or approx 1 hour to walk to edge of Funchal.

Hotel is in a fabulous location overlooking the sea. Everywhere is spotless, the staff are friendly and helpful, the room was very nice and the buffet breakfast was excellent. But if you have any sort of mobility problems then you need to avoid this hotel. There are around 200 steps to/from the pool which includes 2 steep ramps. There is no other way down but to walk. To get up to the road there are 2 very steep ramps. I can't see this mentioned on their website but it should be as if you have health problems you would be totally stuck. Because of this we wouldn't go back which is a shame because in every other way it's fabulous. Once down on the promenade, if you turn left there are 3 bars/restaurants all decent. But our favourite was on the road, left out of the hotel - fabulous restaurant with great food and service.

Very nice, recommendable hotel. 30 minutes from the city center of Funchal. There is a public bus right outside the door, but anyone who wants to explore the island will need a rental car and luck to find a usually scarce, paid (very cheap) parking spot. In the morning, there is a hotel shuttle to the city and back in the afternoon.