Do Carmo

Mr Smartie and I recently returned from Madeira, where we based ourselves at The Editory Garden Funchal Hotel. We’d stayed there four years ago, when it was called Hotel do Carmo, and liked its city centre location, and close proximity to the restaurants and bars of the city’s old town, and other amenities.

Main point to note here is this is very much a city centre hotel, so there is some traffic noise during the day and perhaps a little construction work noise too. If that kind of thing grinds your gears, then pick somewhere in the hotel district to the west of Funchal instead. We both live in the centre of Edinburgh, so didn’t find the noise intrusive at all, but if you’re unused to city centre living then it may.

Apart from the name change - which none of the locals use, they all refer to the hotel by its original name – it’s has undergone a major refurbishment. Reception feels calmer, and there’s now a handy storage area for guests to leave luggage once you’ve checked out of your room but have an evening flight, like we did. The lounge area has been reconfigured, and doesn’t feel quite as television-focussed as it used to do. I still question the need for a snooker table. On both our trips we have only ever seen one couple use it. In my opinion that area would be better utilised with more soft seating. There are some changes in the restaurant area too, mainly to the central area used for the buffet breakfast. But so good to see that the lovely turquoise tiles have been retained. Outside seating areas can be accessed from the lounge and restaurant, but as these mainly attract smokers, we didn’t bother using them.

Our room - 418 on the 4th floor – had a large balcony with harbour glimpses. Rooms now have excellent air conditioning, a mini refrigerator, tea/coffee making facilities, and a security box. All the ingredients I expect a modern hotel to provide for its guest. Although bijou, the bathroom had a very efficient walk-in shower, hand basin and toilet. Storage in the bathroom was limited, but the additional shelf below the hand basin came in handy. I was taken with the heated electric mirror, but a bathroom extractor fan may have been a better option. We also felt a couple more hooks for towels would have come in handy, but it wasn’t a deal breaker.

Although we didn’t use it, there is now a small, well equipped gym at the far end of the sun deck, on the fifth floor. No real changes to the pool area, but there appear to be less traditional sun loungers than before. The elephant in the room here are the two types of beanbag recliners that adorn the poolside and sun decks. We tried both, and found the dark green samosa-shaped ones to be totally uncomfortable. There’s no way anyone is going to relax on those. The best thing that could happen is for those to be replaced with standard loungers instead.

The staff at The Editory Garden Funchal Hotel remain friendly and professional. Eager to assist, if they can, the personnel remain one of the hotel’s biggest assets. Obrigado for making our week so pleasant. If we return to Madeira again, this hotel will remain at the top of our list of places to stay.

Perfect just perfect! From the moment we entered and were greeted by the reception team who are all so polite helpful happy. They couldn’t do enough for us. Rooms were very comfortable and always perfectly clean very modern. Breakfast was very nice with lots of variety to cater all. Situated in a very good area very Close to the port, cable car and all tourist areas plus so many restaurants it was the only thing we stressed about trying to choose which one to eat in!!!! The pool area which is on the roof which is lovely clean and comfortable with stunning views and the pool is perfect and always clean. All in all we couldn’t fault this place in anyway possible and would 100% recommend and come Back here x