Quintinha São João Hotel & Spa

This is a most beautiful hotel, with excellent facilities. The spa is great with a wide range of treatments; plus sauna, steam room etc. The ambience of the hotel is tranquil and very inviting. The level of service is second to none. The staff are extremely, accommodating and nothing is too much trouble for them. The food is excellent with a variety of choices, both local and international. The quality of the bedrooms are to a very high standard of furnishings and are spacious. The overall, cleanliness of the hotel is first rate in all areas. The gardens are beautiful with areas of seating. Overall, an excellent hotel that knows, what hospitality and quality of service is all about. I would definitely, recommend. I shall return.

We have been to Funchal 4 times and this is the first time in this hotel. Firstly I have to compliment the staff who were the friendliest we have ever experienced in a hotel. Lots of help and advice in the hotel on where to go and how to get there in Maderia. Spa was good although you do have to book. Room was lovely with great views of the sea and mountains. It's well located near to the centre, about 15 minutes walk. Breakfast was really good quality with a great selection. We ate in the hotel once which was good and they do cater for vegetarians. Thank you all at the hotel for a great and very relaxing week.

It’s hard to know where to start as everything and everyone about this special place deserves a mention. It is without doubt the best place we have stayed in. The hotel is in a great location, beautifully thought out and decorated with traditional art and antiques. Outside you will find stunning, well maintained gardens and grounds with an astounding array of plants of Madeira along with a lovely peaceful pool area with amazing views. There is a steepish hill walk down into Funchal centre (and of course back uphill on the way back!) which takes around 15 minutes but there is also a courtesy bus that runs twice a day. The rooms are super comfortable and very spacious, with a large bathroom and lots of space for belongings. Breakfast is excellent with a fabulous choice of fruit, breads, cereals, meats and cheeses, plus you can order from the kitchen if you want hot food, which is made to order. I would highly recommend dining in the hotel restaurant, A Morgadinha, as the food is delicious and provided us with the best meals we had during our stay in Funchal. The food is beautiful (try the rack of lamb, it is amazing!). The service is impeccable - the staff are friendly, courteous and professional with a personal touch. All the staff are wonderful - from reception staff, bar staff, restaurant staff and housekeeping, all took pride in their roles and gave exceptional service which made our stay extra special. Thank you to Felipe, Antonio, Bernardo and Marco (your wine knowledge is fascinating), and anyone else I may have forgotten. I would say that even though this hotel is indeed a beautiful place to stay, what really makes it extra special is the little personal touches and the obvious pride all the staff (and the manager!) take in making your experience the best it can be. We genuinely miss being there and hope to return as soon as we can. Thank you for making our holiday so special.

Amazing hotel full of charm and character. Elegant decor with beautiful antique objects and furniture. Room spacious and ultra comfortable.. Friendly and attentive staff who made us feel so welcome. Hotel situated in lovely gardens. Now we have discovered this we would not stay anywhere else.Totally 100% recommended.

This is an amazing hotel in every way! Our room was so spacious and clean with tea and coffee making facilities. Throughout the hotel there is an atmosphere of peace and calm and, at night, there is no noise at all. The windows had blackout curtains and the bed was so comfortable so we slept really well. The breakfasts were the best we've ever had and we're available till 10.30 every morning. There were fresh fruits of all descriptions, even papaya and some unusual passion fruits, croissants, pastries, muffins, cheeses, ham, natural yogurt, nuts, dates, prunes, apricots and, on top of this, you could have a delicious cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomato etc. Last, but by no means least, the staff were amazing and friendly. Nothing was too much bother to them. In particular, we'd like to thank Ana and Maria for their excellent service on reception, Rosie for her help in recommending trips and places to eat and Marco and Bernardo for their friendly and helpful service in the restaurant. ALL the staff were great! We absolutely loved staying in this hotel and wouldn't hesitate to stay again if we return to Madeira. Thank you so much for making our first visit to Madeira so special. Susan and Mark

Simply beautiful hotel, spacious rooms, exceptionally clean with wonderful attentive staff. The breakfast selection offers an extensive buffet of fruits, yogurt, pastries, cereal & excellent waiter service for cooked. Prior to our arrival I emailed reception and ordered in advance a bouquet of flowers for my good lady, & Rosie could not have been more helpful. It was our fourth visit to Funchal in eight years with our third stay at the Quintinha Sao Joao. As far as we are concerned we will always stay here whenever we go to Madeira again, which might be May next time as then there is the Madeira Flower Festival as well as the Madeira Classic Car Revival. This is a three day event sponsored by the Portuguese Government. ‘How to get to the old part of town & cable car if walking from the hotel.’ The walk is downhill until you leave the park at the Promenade, from here it is flat. Coming back from the park to the hotel is more of a challenge but plenty of yellow taxi ranks that charge 7-8 Euros, cash or card) back to the hotel. You just turn left as you leave the hotel, at the end of this short road turn left again and then within 15m cross the lights controlled pedestrian crossing. Be warned…… one motorist did a three second red light as we were stepping across the road, thankfully he was the other side. From here go straight on down this small road. You will see the cafe Maravilhas on your left. Turn right when you see the 'Vets' sign ahead of you, as you go up the very short hill the vets will be on your left. Then take your immediate left and this road will lead you down to the casino. Once at the bottom of this road cross over and you can walk along the main road downwards towards the large roundabout water fountain into Funchal, or as we did every time, walk though the park to the Promenade. If you decide on the park then as you enter from the main road you will note a cafe ahead of you. This has delightful views over the large pond area, however, there is a second cafe beyond this which is not visible. You will need to go through towards the sea and you will come to a viewing platform about one minute later with the other cafe. The views here are spectacular of the cruise ships and the old town of Funchal. From here or the first cafe you can meander down through the park which will take you to the newly refurbished promenade. From the hotel to the cable car takes circa 25-35 minutes. The cable car takes you to the Mont Gardens, bear in mind you are going some 1,900’ above sea level (it can get chilly if no sun and misty if rain forecast) but for us a must visit, we have done this four times and never find it repetitive. If there are cruise ships in, you can see how many from the park, then consider the bus up to Mont Gardens as the cable car can get busy. With the help of Rosie, customer relations, we took the bus for 1.95 Euro each and cable car back. Approx 15 Euro each. Another fun trip was catching the bus to Palheiro Gard