“A very pleasant hotel.”

This is a very friendly, comfortable and pleasantly situated hotel. We had a room with balcony overlooking the sea - it was lovely to fall asleep while listening to the waves coming into the shore.

“great hotel to relax and chill”

This is the 2nd time I have visited this hotel and would recommend it to anyone visiting Madeira. The hotel and rooms are spotless and everywhere is immaculately maintained. The staff are attentive and friendly. We stayed on bed and breakfast basis and the breakfast was extensive. The free hotel mini bus offered easy access to Funchal and the bus services are superb.

“The whole experience was wonderful.”

Cant wait to return asap! Fantastic location. Helpful, courteous staff. Excellent bus service to Funchal. A really easy place to unwind and get accustomed to champagne breakfasts!

“Lovely hotel”

We just spent a lovely week at the Vila Gale Hotel. It was a really nice hotel. Very clean and comfortable. The spa and treatments were so nice. I had a reflexology session and a massage. What a treat. The staff were very helpfull. We will definately be going back.

“Hope to return regularly”

We chanced upon our first Vila Gale hotel (Albacora in Tavira, mainland Portugal) some years ago, and after that one night stay, have returned annually. The hotels are immaculately kitted out, cleaned and maintained. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the food in the buffet restaurant is good with a wide choice. We liked Santa Cruz itself: it's near the airport, and unlike Funchal, one can drive out to anywhere on the island (apart from Funchal itself!) without negotiating town traffic. There is a free hotel courtesy mini-bus providing return trips to Funchal, operating at several times per day (you need to reserve your seat at reception). There are bars and, though we didn't use them this trip an indoor spa, gym and swimming pool, and outdoor pool with sun loungers. The rooms in Santa Cruz are equipped with DVD players as well as TV.

“good relaxing break”

booked this hotel after reading other reviews on expedia. Nice modern hotel clean and well organised. Breakfast good choice. Did not have meals here but plenty of snack bars around in Santa Cruz. Good free shuttle service to Funchal but book in advance as small bus and gets booked up quickly. Spa lovely worth the extra money. We got the three day pass which worked out a bit cheaper. Good relaxing 5 day break.

“Great Holiday”

This hotel can be thoroughly recommended. The breakfast comprises everything you could want. The rooms are large and comfortable. The views are brilliant whether facing the sea or not. Although close to the airport, aircraft noise is minimal.

“Definitely recommended”

The cleanliness and comfort of this hotel are very impressive, especially at the price we paid of forty pounds per night including breakfast. The choice of food at the buffet breakfast is huge - from plain yoghurts and fresh fruit to sparkline wine and everything in between! We ate once in the pasta lounge and felt this let the hotel down as the service and menu choices are very poor. The staff are friendly and helpful and always answered our many questions with a smile. We used the complimentary bus the hotel provides into Funchal a few times, but I can imagine that when the hotel is busy, booking in advance is a must. I would definitely use this chain of hotels again.

“Lovely Hotel, short of atmosphere at Christmas”

We had a week's stay at this hotel for Christmas 2007, we had never been to Madeira before so we used previous recomendations as a basis for choosing a hotel. We were definitely very impressed with this hotel, very new, very modern, extremely well decorated and comfortable. A very high standard of finish in our room with comfortable beds and chairs. the only negative being the lack of teacoffee making facilities. The hotel listing states that dvd players are fitted in all rooms, which they are, however they do not work as the hotel has installed a movie on demand service, however as soon as we mentioned this to the friendly and efficient reception staff, a maintenance man was summoned and within 20 minutes the system was rewired and we were able to play our own dvd's. There was a very good courtesy bus service in to Funchal about 20 mins away, however the frequency and cheapnes of the local buses made this an exellent way of getting around this very beautifull island. Our only dissapontment in the hotel was the totall lack of any Chritmas atmosphere, I guess most of the staff were happily celebrating the event at home with their own families. Breakfast was superb, plenty of choice in both hot and cold options and a friendly and obliging staff. We would certainly stay at this hotel again, however if you are looking for a busy and varied night life then this resort is not for you, being very quiet at night.

“Excellent for late arrivals or early departures”

This hotel is ideally located if you are arrriving late or leaving early, since it is only a few moments from the airport . . and yet there is hardly any aiport noise. If you intend to explore Madeira then you must have a car, and/or move to alternative hotel to experience Madeira but otherwise this is a great hotel for short breaks, for relaxing by the pool and for experiencing the spa. Our only criticism is the size of the dining room, too big for us. Breakfast was good though, and there are lots of little cafes and restuarants in the town plus if you turn right on the pool side exit and walk along the beach, there is a restaurant in the nex complex within 5/10 minutes walk.