Quinta Bela Sao Tiago

We absolutely loved this hotel. It was traditional but well located, staff were lovely, breakfast included was very good and the pool area and gardens really well maintained. It was a short walk to all the restaurants in the old town and the cable car and Funchal main shopping areas were not far away. People all too often jump to tell you what went wrong but not so often when things go well as they did in our case

Having read the reviews for this Hotel we were aware of the booking problems in the past, however having visited last year and been impressed with the location decided to book for a week in February. Our travel agents emailed the Hotel back in December requesting that under know circumstances did we want to be sent to the sister Hotel Quinta Vista Palace Gardens , based on its location ( having stayed for a week in this property two years previously. ) My partner has slight mobility problems as a result of a stroke. So on arrival on Monday 17th February—- guess what again over booked along with at least three other couples ! Apparently due to the weather conditions back in the UK various flights had been cancelled. Could this problem not have been resolved by shipping them up the road to the sister Hotel, as there rooms were know longer available as next weeks guest had arrived? We were offered a free taxi to the alternative accommodation ( did they think we could walk?). Plus free drinks with dinner —-again we had booked B&B , but soon got an upgrade to free half board. Whilst all this was frustrating it didn’t spoil our holiday, we made the most of a difficult situation, however we would never book at either of these Hotels again , based on the fact that there word is not there bond!

I only saw the lobby and terrace of this hotel. It looked beautiful and based on the reviews, was very much where I wanted to stay. However, upon arriving I was told the hotel was overbooked and that I would be staying at another of their properties, 10 min away. During my time at both of these properties, I witnessed many people (at least 6 different groups checking in over the course of an hour and a half) being told they would be moved to the other property 10 min away. I decided not to stay at the new property as it was important to me to be in the Old Town and the second hotel (Das Vistas) was not in the Old Town. I was told I would be given a refund and 11 days later I have not received the refund and had to file a dispute with my credit card company. This is not a good way to do business and what some might call a "bait and switch".