Casa Velha do Palheiro

If you want to stay in an elegant place, within a wonderful park, in an extremely peaceful environment this is your place. The service is good and the people are friendly. It’s a little bit far from town but who would want to move from such a place? You would want, because of the restaurant management. First, prices are very high compared to quality and diversity of food. They could be justified by the place, but if you are a guest of the hotel you are already paying for it. The half board offers a menu with zero alternatives for starters and dessert and only one for the main dish. The a la carte menu gives limited alternatives and is even more expensive. Worst of all the kitchen resorts to third rate restaurants’ ways as serving a 20 plus euros risotto made with precooked rice. I can prove it because I received the above mentioned risotto less than five minutes after ordering it, while it’s impossible to prepare a proper risotto in less than 12-15 minutes. Probably they count on the fact that, by taxi it will cost you around 40 euro for the round trip to Funchal restaurants. Better walk to the golf club house and eat there. It’s a shame because the place is a real paradise.

We have just returned from spending 12 wonderful days at Casa Velha do Palheiro, it was meant to be 10 but we were having such a lovely relaxing time we extended for a further two days. We visited Funchal for the first time last year. We came here to play golf but did not stay at the hotel, we thought if we came back we might like to try the hotel and we are just so glad that we did. We stayed in a suite in the main house which was perfect, lots of space with lovely furnishings and colours. We had everything we needed, Nespresso machine and also tea making facilities, fresh fruit every other day and water. The restaurant food is excellent, we mainly ate from the A la carte. Lovely fresh fish dishes and excellent desserts, couldn’t manage a starter as preferred dessert. Staff were absolutely lovely, so very helpful and friendly with sense of humours. Luis who runs the restaurant is the perfect host and certainly great at customer relations. He spent time talking to guests making them feel welcome and there are many repeat guests who seem to love him. Other members of staff who were fabulous are Lisete, Cindy, Sonia, Juan, Ricardo, Alex, Daniel and Victor to name but a few who make your stay the best it can be. Do use the Spa, Sandra is absolutely fabulous at what she does, from facial to massage. I even persuaded my husband to have a golfers massage which he thoroughly enjoyed, and felt great for it. The pool area was quiet as there weren’t too many hot days for sitting by the pool but we managed a few. The hot season hadn’t started so not sure how this is serviced but I’m sure it will be as good as everything else on offer. The gardens are magnificent and so special, just to sit and relax overlooking the gardens makes this place so very enjoyable and relaxing. The golf for my husband was good despite an injured leg but greatly enjoyed. The clubhouse is a lovely place to sit and enjoy a nice lunch after a mornings golf and take in the wonderful views. I would just like to say a HUGE thank you to all at Casa Velha do Palheiro for making our break special and I do hope the management appreciate every single one of you following such wonderful reviews. It couldn’t be done without you.

Our first visit to this hotel. Wonderful setting, great staff, great food and excellent golf and gardens. The location in the hills above Funcal provided for for a very relaxing break. If you want peace and tranquility. this is the place. Couldn't find a single fault and will definitely return.