“Charming and Comfortable!”
My boyfriend and I were looking for a comfortable and affordable hotel away from the chaos of the large resorts. This is exactly what we received upon our arrival.
Hotel Monte Carlo is located in the heart of Funchal - not in the touristy resort area, which is a short cab ride or long walk away. If you want to be surrounded by other tourists and pay high prices for so-so restaurants and avoid locals, then do not come here and go straight to the high-priced, glitzy resorts away from town.
I wanted to truly experience Funchal and take it all in - which we got in heavy, delicious doses thanks to Hotel Monte Carlo.
Everyone was helpful, especially the gentleman who checked us in. He may have been the owner or manager - not entirely sure. He immediately asked what type of vacation we were looking for and offered invaluable advice on where to eat, shops to check out and even which hiking trails would be best for us. They arranged for a car rental to be brought to the hotel - we didn't have to do a thing!
The rooms are clean and spacious. It's like walking into another era. I loved the decor, although its hasn't been renovated in sometime. The free breakfast overlooking the entire city was truly memorable. We were even allowed to upgrade our room to get a better view for $8 extra when we arrived. The view was breathtaking. I loved this hotel and recommend it for savvy travelers looking to truly experience the wonders of Funchal.
Area recommendations
Definitely check out the old city and the busy city center. All of Funchal is worth checking out, except for maybe the touristy resort area. I didn't bother seeing this since it brought nothing to the table. I was here to experience Funchal - not other tourists.
Also rent a car and travel around Madeira. It was incredible! I was here for 5 days and didn't even touch upon all I could see. Driving was a little scary since the roads are so steep and winding. Madeira may look small, but the topography is outrageous, making it so much larger than you think. It will take a lot longer to drive from one side to the other since you have to go slow on some roads, wind around, avoid other cars. It's a real adventure. Don't miss the hiking trails - they are surreal!
Getting around
Definitely rent a car and travel outside of Funchal. There is so much to see and do!
What to pack
We went in early April, which wasn't quite hot enough to do any swimming. Pack GREAT walking/hiking shoes and a range of clothing as it goes from very warm in the sun to chilly at night. It is much colder in the mountains so pack extra when traveling around.
And don't forget your camera. I took almost 600 photographs and I'm still taken back by the beauty of Madeira.
Dining
We really loved this one place: Restaurant A Pipa on the Rua da Queimada de Cima. The staff and food were amazing. Definitely try the espada fish, its so yummy!
Also look for a place in Old Funchal called Arsenios. I think this is the name. They'll have a grill outside cooking giant skewers of fish and meat. They also have Fado starting at 8pm. Although a little pricey, the food was VERY good and the Fado beautiful.
Nightlife
I enjoyed the casino, but I didn't like the fact that everyone smoked inside. I'm very sensitive to second-hand smoke, so be prepared if you are a non-smoker.
Things only get crazy on Thursday - Saturday here. Madeira isn't a party town, but you can find a few local bars to enjoy a beer or glass of wine. Most of the bars are up near the resorts. I enjoyed the Prince Albert and other bars near there.
