Arts In Hotel Conde Carvalhal

This was a real find in every way. It's not in a tourist area yet only 15 mins from the old town. If you've hired a car and are using Google maps to find your way from the airport be aware that Google calls this Molhe Hotel, it labels Arts in Appartments as elsewhere. Come off VR1 at junction 13 and follow Rua Conde Carvalhal down, Arts in is on the right hand side. There is no pavement, you need to ring the bell and the garage door will be opened for you. We were met by Nuno who took us up in the lift to the ground floor where we were offered a glass of tea and biscuits while he completed the registration. There is no conventional reception desk just a civilised set of armchairs in which to wait. He showed us the reception room and then took us up to our rooms and showed us the facilities there. You are given a key fob for the garage door as well as keys for the gate, front door and room. We were on the first floor of the new part with views over the gardens and harbour. The suites are big with a fully equipped kitchenette. Apart from the mini bar in the fridge there are bottles of wine, Madeira, spirits, crisps and sweets and a coffee machine with pods. The kitchenette has a basket of cooking essentials. Nuno gave us his card so that we could contact him if we needed to. He gave us some excellent recommendations for dinner. You need to order breakfast, continental or cooked. We found the continental breakfast to be more than adequate. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We ate on the terrace but could have eaten indoors. The reception room also has a tray of wines and spirits which work on an honesty basis. Apparently the Market Box in the garden also works on that basis for snacks but it was closed whilst we were there. Yes, the walk down to the town is a bit steep but there are buses which stop outside. Taxi drivers may need to be told exactly where it is as it is off the main tourist track. The wifi is excellent and you can get CNN on the TV. The rooms have masses of storage space. This is a very comfortable, civilised hotel where you are made to feel really welcome and treated as part of the family. It's quiet and has wonderful views, can't recommend it highly enough.

We had the junior suite. View was great, although balcony is shared with the neighbour room. Service was great, although upon arrival, the small gate means we're not sure if we arrived at the right place. Big indoor parking is great. Breakfast is fresh and well rounded. Frequently had small ants coming in the room, probably need to improve the windows structure.

We really liked this hotel. It is like a home with 14 rooms. Get view across bay from No 210 where we stayed. The staff are very good natured, don't pressurise you and will arrange anything you want very easily and efficiently. Lovely breakfasts on the terrace with excellent coffee; not gourmet but simple and tasty. It is on one side of the town but better for that and away from the main hotel area. Getting a taxi to anywhere is relatively cheap and easy to arrange - all those hills! Highly recommended.

Definitely a good place to stay. Ok it hasn't got 200 bedrooms or a swimming pool but its a friendly converted and extended villa with lovely gardens to lounge around n or have breakfast (which is a bit expensive) but the staff are young, enthusiastic and very obliging and helpful. Its ok for those with moest mobility but a challenge for a wheelchair but then so is most of madeira! Lovely views, very clean and well maintained, a short taxi ride from most things in town and a bus stop outside the gate. Overall well worth staying at.

We were in the old part of the hotel with a balcony over looking Funchal and the Harbour. The room was bright and airy very comfortable, and nice bathroom. Yes it is up a steep hill, but we found if walk round and not as the crow fly's then it isn't so steep, but a slightly longer walk!! The Car Parking underground is an experience, tight space to turn around to get into a space, but much better than parking on the street, and the remote for the garage door is a very reliable! All the staff are very friendly, and nothing is to much trouble. Breakfast outside in the morning under the parasols is a fantastic way to start the day. The honesty shop in the grounds is a nice way to have a midday snack or drink, nice touch. Really enjoyed the stay, and would recommend the hotel

Enjoyed a great week in the hotel. Rooms are spacious and the kitchenette very adequate for preparing meals. One of the joys of the hotel is the lovely gardens with views to the harbour and sea. The breakfasts served both in the dining room and out in the gardens were excellent. With an underground garage and very helpful and engaging staff it was hard to fault our stay.

We experienced a very warm- hearted welcome and received great tipps concerning restaurants and sight seeing. The room were brightly illuminated by day light and comfortable. Great view from the terrace (decorated with white table cloth for breakfast) and wonderful flowers - blooming bougainvilleas in the garden area. Not enough storage places in the bathroom - sanitary fitting of shower not appropriate for small guests. No fume hood in the kitchenette and uncomfortable pillows. Good place to start Madeirien excursions. Altogether a wonderful place to stay

They arrived, the titans of the seas, like great sparkling jewels, sliding silently in the night into Funchal harbour and pictured spectacularly in the towering French windows of our splendid room. Everybody, it seems, has a view in Funchal, but this might be one of the best. ARTS IN, too, has a quiiet elegance with a graceful dining room set off with fine furniture and just a few tables because the temptation most of the year must be to breakfast outside under a large gazebo or on a number of terraces and tables set in the courtyard of what was probably once an impressive quinta, which has been retained and coolly modernised. A generous breakfast of juices, fruits, yoghurt, cereals, hams and cheeses, breads, croissants, tea, coffee and cakes and custard tarts is brought to you by the young and unfailingly helpful and courteous staff. (A fried breakfast is available at a small charge). Our room was tastefully decorated and furnished, and the bed of almost Tempur comfort. With the city centre within walking distance, this hotel was an excellent choice. Certainly the most likeable hotel we have ever stayed in.

We stayed here for 3 nights, great location. Parking onsite which is a bonus in the old town. Walk down to town is great, climb up is hard work! Staff were super friendly, the hotel is very clean, the old original part is super. You can feel the history. Wonderful garden and patio area. Will definitely go back.