We stayed at hotel Girassol, we cannot fault the staff they were very friendly.

The decor though needs updating, I was also surprised to see that we didn't have any tea/coffee making facilities in our room which we would have liked.

The food reasonably good, I quite liked the octopus but the local fish called scabbard was my favourite. Lunch beside the pool was very nice, I would recommenend the club sandwich or the club sandwich spring. Wednesday night we had dinner by the pool, I wish that had happened more often as it was a very pleasant evening.

The entertainment left a little to be desired and the dining room could do with air conditioning.

I would suggest rooms either high up or to the sides of the hotel as the road in front of the hotel is very busy and although it didn't bother us, it could annoy others.

stayed at this hotel for the second time this year returned to maderia to see the lovely gardens choose to stay at this hotel again because rooms staff and food all very good only downside is the lack of entertainment the is a lagre area at the reae of the hotel being used at present as tv room wich would be ideal for this ienjoyed my stay and would stay there again

I would rate this hotel as a 3 star, clean but looking a bit dated now. In a good position in the middle of the tourist area around 25/30 mins walk from the centre of Funchal.

The food was reasonable but nothing to write home about, not a great deal of choice, just one fish and one meat to select off the buffet. Would stay here again if the price was right, but would probably go B&B.

We stayed in a standard room at the Girassol and did not see what the suites were like so would emphasise that our comments on the room are on standard rooms only.

We stayed bed and breakfast and the food was fine with a choice of fresh fruit/cereal, bacon, sausages, eggs, beans etc., and the usual continental breakfast choice. The bread and rolls were always fresh and the croissants were wonderful. However, if you like toast be prepared to queue for ages at the small toaster which holds about six slices. Also the coffee is not the best.

The hotel reception, lounges and bars were always spotless and the pool area was immaculate, with towels provided and never any shortage of sunbeds. Staff were helpful and courteous at all times.

The gardens are beautifully looked after and you can sit in the shade and relax for a while and admire the tropical flowers.

Our room was on the first floor and had a view of the main road which was disappointing. Be prepared for road noise and definitely request a higher floor if you want a bit of a view. If you want a pool/garden view you will need to book a suite. All the standard rooms appear to be facing the road. We could just catch a glimpse of the sea through the buildings across the street. The room was spotless with clean towels and linen on a very regular basis and although the furnishings were a bit dated it was fine for what we paid. There were plenty hangers in the wardrobe but a lack of drawer space. However, the one thing that let it down badly was the bathroom. Dingy green tiles, many of them cracked and although the maid obviously worked hard at it, it just never seemed very fresh. It has to be acknowledged that it is an older hotel but crying out for the bathrooms to be refurbished.

We never had dinner at the hotel as there are countless restaurants in Funchal to suit all tastes and pockets. Dinner at the hotel cost 22 euros per head and for less than 44 euros outside the hotel we could get three courses, coffee, wine and beer. However, the lunch time snacks at the pool bar were a good price and the club sandwich at 3.50 euros was a favourite. Beer is 3.50 euros a pint in the hotel and 2.50 euros in most of the restaurants. 200 yards along the road from the hotel is a small bar "El Silencio" where beer is 2 euros a pint. We usually had out last drink of the evening there.

The hotel is on the bus route and it is easy to get around. 1.40 euros for a return round trip ticket which you buy at the newsagents in the shopping mall at the Monumental Lido Hotel along the road. We always bought a few at a time.

Finally, as far as the standard rooms go, this is not a four star hotel by any manner of means. No air-con, mini bar or tea/coffee facilities. However, we did not pay a four star price for this holiday and had a fabulous time in Funchal. So for what we paid we couldn't really fault it (apart from that dingy bathroom !!)

I would go back to Funchal again but would prefer to try another hotel.

On arrival the staff were very polite and efficient.We were very surprised to find that our accomodation was a suite with nice views over the pool and gardens. We had only been expecting a normal hotel room.

The only complaint about the room was that the bath was extremely small. The food was ok but not very imaginative and sometimes cold if you went into the dining room after 8.00pm.

Most evenings there was a trio singing and playing and once a week there was a folk group in the dining room while you were eating. This was the only entertainment in the hotel.

The hotel is located on a bus route into Funchal and only a short walk to the Lido, shopping centres and supermarket.However this is down a steep hill which is easy going down but an effort coming back up!

The swimming pools were lovely. There was never any need to reserve sun beds as there was always plenty of room.

I would love to return to this hotel.

The Girassol is centrally located on the Estrada Monumental, the main strip into town linking the hotel zone with the center of Funchal.

The hotel itself is very clean and quite large and well maintained although some might argue that the decor is a little dated but it certainly looks well for its age.

The staff were v friendly and helpful. We were on our honeymoon and we were moved to the top floor suite with amazing sea views for no extra cost.

There are 2 pools both of which have plenty of sunloungers around them. We never struggled to get one whatever time we went to the pool.

My only complaint was the breakfast. The cooked breakfast wasnt good and the continental breakfast whilst nice enough was without variation, got a bit sick of bread and cheese by the end of the holiday to be honest.

The food at the pool bar was good though and reasonably priced. cheeseburger and chips for example for 3.50E. We never ate in the hotel at night because there was such a large amount of choice around and about.

Don't bother booking your excursions through the rep because there are numerous excurcion within a 5min walk of the hotel.

These offer mini bus tours at reasonable prices, the full day excursions include lunch which was really nice too.

More details about restauraunts etc on resort review page.

ps only put one for entertainment because it usually happened in the hotel restaurant and we didnt go there.

We have just got back from a week (well almost) in Madeira. The first problem came when we were unable to land at Funchal due to strong winds, we diverted to Tenerife with another Air 2000 flight from East Midlands (we flew from Manchester) after landing all six coach loads were transferred to Mare Nostrum resort. Check in took a little time due to large numbers we were told dinner was at 9pm this was buffet style and a bottle of wine between 4 was also provided. We think both the hotel and Thompson did very well to get organised as we only left the skies over Madeira at 4.30pm though we heard grumbles from some fellow guests (people who had only booked the flight got the same service). Breakfast was to be at 7am as were were due to fly on at 9am but then came problem no.2 due to heavy rain there had been a power cut and breakfast was served in subdued lighting! Next came problem no.3 also due to the heavy rain there had been a landslide on the motorway to the airport and the coaches were unable to collect us. The first 2 left nearly on time we were lucky enough to get on the 3rd coach and we do not know how long others had to wait as we saw traffic jams miles long on our journey to the airport. After some discussion at the airport it was decided that all passengers that had managed to get to the airport would fly on the East Midland plane leaving our original one for those still stranded at the hotel. After finally landing on Madeira the Thompsons Reps had the problem of sorting us all out and getting us to our hotels we arrived at Hotel Girassol about 1pm and think Thompson deserve a pat on the back

We had booked a suite with a sea view this turned out to be on the 10th floor. The suite was very spacious with a comfortable suite and bed and amazing views if a little dated.

The food was excellent served buffet stlye one evening we had Caviar and giant King Prawns. We were on half board and if we wanted we could exchange lunch for dinner. My only criticism is that for the main course there was only a choice of 1 fish dish or 1 meat dish this was fine for us as we eat most things but could be a problem for some.

The only entertainment in the hotel was in the dining room most evenings, this consisted of a musical trio all of a good standard one night there was a folk dancing group who managed to get most of the guests joining in.

We hired a Toyota Yaris from Strawberry World with no hassles for only 26 euros per day though this was a special offer due to low season.

We walked some levadas, went on the cable car to Monte and visited the gardens (Avoid the sandwiches at the cafe in the gardens stale bread yuk!)before taking the sled ride then walking the rest of the way down, visited the Nun's valley and the highest peak and the north coast having a brilliant lunch of local fare Scabbard fish with banana and skewered beef at Estrela do Norte in Santana and visited the wicker shop at Camacha.

It is said 'Madeira is for the newly weds and nearly deads' we are 52 and will be back Madeira is a paradise for walkers and plant lovers