Quinta da Casa Branca

It's not a 5 star hotel, 4 star at a push. Extremely difficult if you have mobility issues.....totally out of the question if you are wheelchair bound, you need to go someplace else. All the facilities of the hotel are outside, restaurants, pools, spa, manor house, down in the gardens. Accessed by very rough pathways, gravel tracks, rugged steps without handrails. I would say dangerous. In the main hotel, no elevators, ramps etc anywhere. I would say a truly 5 star hotel would have all this. In the mornings you had to ask reception to turn on the steam room, jacuzzi etc, which was really odd.....5 Star?? But to be fair to the hotel, there were positive aspects. We found breakfasts to be excellent. Wide range of cold buffet foods followed by a good selection of cooked meals. All the coffee you want. Generally service with a smile (there was the odd exception) Equally, in the evenings, good food in the restaurant. Menu just a touch restricted, but no complaints of the quality The bedrooms are fairly basic and a bit dated. Beds (singles only, pushed together) were comfortable. Room generally quiet (busy road nearby) sleep no issue and heavy black out curtains all made for a comfortable night. Could do with power points beside the bed for phones, chargers etc etc. We stayed in room 101 (Orwell would be nervous) ground floor with a lovely small patio outside......lovely sun first thing, except for over hanging trees!! There needs to be a serious amount of tree lopping undertaken to get the benefit of sunloungers on a (reasonably) private patio. Most of the staff on reception were courteous, if a touch lacking in warmth & charm. The gardens/arboreteum were lovely, but as previously noted, if you are on crutches it will be hazardous, impossible on wheel chair. Pity. A few groundworks would sort that. There are various lounge/library areas in the hotel, but mostly empty, no 'buzz' whatever. (We were staying in January, maybe this changes in peak season?) The hotel needs to be more up front as regards difficult/impossible access for anyone with mobility issues. This should be clearly stated on the web site (note also Jet2.com ) and not as some kind of after thought.

We first visited the hotel in the summer and enjoyed our stay so much that we returned in November. Highly recommended.

I’m sad with my experience at this place! The staff were with a sad face all the time, the breakfast was medium and about the facilities “deze zouden beter verzorgd kunnen worden” ik ben van plan terug te komen en dit hotel nog een kans te gevIt was very bad

Gorgeous hotel, set amid tropical gardens that are immaculately kept. Staff friendly and helpful and a good selection of breakfast items. Walkable to the centre and the other hotel area. The garden rooms looked a little dated. Downside for me was the mosquitoes, I am susceptible, but naively was unaware that Madeira had them. The grounds unsurprisingly were full of them and we kept finding them in our room, so had around 20 itchy bites by the time I left. Bring repellant and bite cream if you attract them. The cabin on the flight home was sprayed so I guess there is a problem!

Another fabulous holiday in our favourite hotels on the island of Madeira. Nothing is too much trouble. From reception to the restaurant to the bar staff and the ladies who clean our rooms. The gardens are delightful, it’s like Kew but on a smaller scale.