Hotel Porto Mare - PortoBay

Porto Mare is a big resort combining 3 hotels, but its clever design means that nothing feels too big. Not the restaurants, the gardens etc. There is so much to explore, and always another pool to find. The staff were excellent and the food amazing. The location is ideal, walking distance to Funchal central or the promenade through the tunnel to a beautiful fishing village.

The only negative was that a bottle of drinking water is supplied to each room gratis on the first day only, afterwards it has to be bought. When water is an essential it seemed an unnecessary frugal practice for such a lovely hotel.

First of all, the garden was extraordinary. Jardim botanico da Madeira was nothing compared to this. The pool was although a little bit cold, but beautiful with the palm trees, and the night light. The snacks at the bar next to the pool were surprisingly good. And you have to try the poncha at the other bar during happy hour. The stuff was extremily attentive and kind. The breakfast was delicious, and the restaurant looked great with the pool next to the tables. We loved to start our days there. Our room was with oceanview. First thing in the mornings was to step out onto the balcony to get a view and taste of the ocean and the garden, and to listen to the parrot chirping. The interior design was cosy and really nice. The only thing wich came to our minds was the absence of a cool, signature scent at the hotel lobby. There are pharmacy and shops, plenty of bars and restaurants in walk distance - Il Basilico is the very best -, but if you'd like to get in to the center, I would recommend car or bus.

Location is central to restaurants. It is possible to walk along the esplanade going West. After a short walk along a road there is a board walk to Camara do Lobos, the fishing village. Buffet food was excellent as well as the breakfasts. The suite we had was very spacious with side sea view west facing. ideal for sundowners!

Being central does mean some traffic noise and sometimes loud music. There is no esplanade going east towards Funchal, but the bus stop is outside the hotel and only costs 2 EUR for a one way trip. Multiple bus tickets can be purchased at a ticket booth in Funchal. It would be good if there was a booking system for the tennis…always seemed to be the same people using it at the best times.

3 different pillow sizes,breakfast, cleanliness of the hotel, location,quality of the bathroom products . Room view. Music every evening was fantastic. Bed size massive.

Big Cage in the middle of the pool area with parrots. There is no need for that. Release them. Coffee was not great during the breakfast time. Had to pay extra for cappuccino.

The staff were very friendly and helpful. A special thanks to our checkin staff, who were very accommodating and made us feel welcome from the first minute. Lots of swimming pools, lovely gardens and a good breakfast buffet. The room was very big, facing the ocean and with a great view. We also really enjoyed the cocktail "happy hours". The property, although somewhat old, was well taken care of. In contrast to other, larger hotels on the island, this one felt very cozy. It was the right size, with the right amount of people. The gardens definately gave a lovely charm to this property.

We booked the hotel with breakfast only, but decided to give the dinner buffet a try for 3 days, since they had a promotion. And while it wasn't bad or anything, I feel like the buffet lacked variety after the 2nd day already. Also, the chefs have a tendency to cut very thin slices of meat and overcook it. Again, it's not like the buffet was bad, but adding a bit of variety to dishes served would massively improve the experience, especially for those booked with half-board or full-board. For now I'd recommend to go with breakfast only, as 3 days of dinner buffet already felt repetitive.

Everything! From the number of pools, to the facilities that you can use (crazy golf, tennis, table tennis, spa), to the friendliness of the staff, we as a family loved every minute of being here. Breakfast in the morning had a great selection from cereals, hot food, meats, cheeses and pastries, so you can fill up before heading out to explore Funchal and Madeira as a whole. There is a bus stop outside the hotel that the number 1 and 2 stop at and will take you into the centre of Funchal. Not only could you eat at the hotel (we enjoyed the Portuguese buffet night), there are lots of options a stones through outside of the hotel. We loved staying here so much that we are planning a repeat visit (which we rarely do!) next year.

The only thing that I would have a slight gripe about was the volume of some of the bands that they had playing in the evening. When you can hear the music from the inside of your room, with the balcony doors closed then it is too loud, but it didn't go on past 10:30pm. There were some performers where the sound levels were perfect, so potentially it was down to the performers speakers and not the hotel. Oh, and the fact that you have the usual numpties that head down to the pool to put their towels down at 5 or 6 in the morning, something that the hotel could do something about

Superb location, lots and lots of flowers and plants, big and clean pool, a bit cold, very good breakfast, big and spacious room with partial view of the ocean. I choose this location based on the reviews and I was not wrong, I loved every minute in the location.

If I had to be picky I must say the coffee at breakfast was not on my taste, I`m more of a cappucino girl. And the lack of slippers in the room, but this are not things that I could do without. And the fact that the sauna was with tax, 5 euro per person.

well maintained property, very comfortable beds with great bed linen, beautiful garden

breakfast should be improved- always the same, most of the guests of the hotel are pensioners, so not really a family friendly hotel, staff not always the kindest, overpriced for what you get

beautiful hotel the grounds are beautiful. our room was spacious with a balcony. awesome views of the garden and ocean. the breakfast was great everything one needs is there. the front desk hospitality was great very helpful. we had an issue with our car rental and they really stepped up to help with a smile!

the room and halfway carpet is looking worn out needs to be replace. the waiters at breakfast most of them don't even smile. not like the last time I stayed 4 years ago. don't know if they are overwhelmed with the amount of work and people everyday. the front desk is the opposite! very welcoming!!

We had an amazing stay at Porto Mare! Location is fab Our sea view room was clean, spacious and very comfortable The breakfast is amazing! We only tried one of the restaurants Il Basillico and that was wonderful - we definitely want to try the others on our return, we were just too busy this time round The happy hour every day (5-6) was not to be missed All the staff are friendly and seem very happy Overall we had the BEST time and will be back next year 😀

Nothing bad to say - it was all fab!!