Monte Carlo

A lovely, good value, central hotel that is an antidote to all the chain glass and concrete edifices in the hotel zone. It's immediate attraction are the incredible views over Funchal from it's perch on the hillside. However the delightful staff really made our stay special. Super-friendly and always caring to go the extra mile to make sure we were happy. We would definitely stay here again on a repeat trip to Madeira.

I arrived at this hotel without a booking, due to its proximity to the local hospital where my mother had been admitted. As a female traveller, I immediately felt at home in this hotel, thanks to Harri & Marcia the receptionists who were warm, kind and very helpful throughout my stay. They are a huge asset to this hotel and give it a personal, welcoming feel. Although I experienced a few maintenance issues with my room which were quickly rectified, the history & quirky nature of the hotel and family feel more than compensated for any inconvenience. The peace, tranquility and vista from the hotel's terrace are truly amazing and will be etched in my memory for many years to come. I have very fond memories of my stay at Hotel Monte Carlo and hope to visit again before too long. Thank you Harri & Marcia!

I paid more than €700 for four nights, and honestly, I do not think this hotel deserves that price. It was one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in. I have stayed in very old hotels near the French-Spanish border that were in much better condition than this one. When I first entered the hotel, I felt like I had stepped into an old Cuban hotel that had not been renovated or properly maintained for decades.

The overall condition of the hotel was poor and clearly lacking maintenance. As soon as I entered the room, I noticed a strong smell of dampness and mold. The bathroom and toilet were extremely outdated, and signs of neglect were visible everywhere. The tiles, plumbing, and general condition of the facilities were well below expectations. The excessive humidity and unpleasant odor in the bathroom made the stay even more uncomfortable. The lack of air conditioning in the rooms was another major drawback that significantly reduced comfort.

On top of that, the Wi-Fi barely worked in the rooms. We often had to go to the common areas just to get a usable internet connection. In this day and age, and especially at this price level, such poor internet service is simply unacceptable.

The biggest disappointment was the huge gap between the price paid and the quality received. For more than €700 for four nights, I expected much better standards. The hotel’s physical condition, maintenance level, and amenities do not justify the price being charged.

That said, I cannot say a single negative thing about the staff. In fact, the staff are the hotel’s greatest asset and perhaps its only real strength. The lady at reception with glasses, the Bangladeshi staff member, and the gentleman with earrings were all exceptionally kind, friendly, and helpful. Every member of the team genuinely tried to make guests feel welcome and supported. I would like to thank them all individually. Without their professionalism and warm attitude, my experience would have been far worse.

The hotel’s other advantage is its location close to the city center. However, to be completely honest, what made this trip enjoyable was not the hotel but Funchal itself. Funchal is such a beautiful, vibrant, and charming city that you spend your days exploring its streets, views, and atmosphere. You return to the hotel only to sleep and then head back out again the next morning. What saved my holiday was Funchal’s beauty, not the hotel.

In conclusion, apart from the location and the staff, I cannot recommend this hotel. If you expect value for the money you spend, I strongly suggest looking at other options in the area. For me, this was a major disappointment and very poor value for money.