Hotel Baia Azul

The breakfast buffet was exceptional

This is a TOP hotel. Meals were superb, rooms are nice and airy, sunny and most with balconies.
Staff were the greatest asset. Everyone was simply great.
I wish I could stay at a hotel in every city as nice as this one. TOP STARS from me.

Excelente com muita variedade de comida e uma vista incrível logo pela manhã.

Beautiful hotel, amazing facilities with use of a private spa. Cleaning staff always left a nice treat in the room which was a nice touch

Stayed 10 nights on a B&B basis in a street facing room, sea view would have been nice but we live by the sea and can see it anytime. Hotel had everything we could want for, decent breakfast buffet and always plenty of space poolside and in the gym.
We used the bar a few times but apart from that ate out, no need to head downtown for dinner as there are plenty of very good restaurants within an easy walk.
Considering what we paid via Jet2 (am I allowed to say that) great value for a Winter break.
Took me until the last day to discover the little room to the left of reception has a library of books to borrow.
Minor gripe is the charge to use the in room safe, wasn`t actually mentioned at check in, I used a few 4 digit codes to find the default code to open it and got it on the 3rd attempt .......result 1111

The good:
Fabulous service from polite and attentive staff 99% of the time.
Booked on B&B basis and the breakfasts were generally good with healthy options available.
Very good location, close to the sea front and with excellent transport links into Funchal centre via the 01/02 green line buses. Bolt and Uber ranged from 4/5 euro to about 7. There's also a regular free hotel shuttle bus into town. Good selection of nearby restaurants with two very good and one decent one opposite the hotel (I've reviewed/will review these separately).
Rooms clean and spacious. Comfortable beds, though pillow was a little lumpy. Housekeeping did an excellent job. Booked a sea view room with balcony and was not disapointed at all. Mountain view might be an issue for some as it faces the (busy) road.
Good facilities with indoor and outdoor pools, sufficient sunbeds, decent gym, spa, sauna and steam room. Sauna and steam room were extra charges but cheap enough and you get the place to yourself - I understand why they charge and require reservation and it's fair enough. Free WiFi with good reception across the hotel.
Decent entertainment in the evenings and good choice of drinks. Lovely sun deck with great views.
Check in and out was very well managed with plenty of clear information at check in and an exact and accurate bill at check out.

The not so good:
I personally found some of the spa reception staff to come across as a little bit less friendly/more curt. Not at all rude but less approachable than other staff for some reason.
One incident of a bug in the indoor pool area. I won't say what kind. But on informing staff it was dealt with quickly and efficiently. It must be understood that it is an inevitability to have some incidences of this occuring in nearly all hotels and is by no means a reflection of the hotel's cleanliness which was in general very good. It happens, it should not put people off, but it would be remiss not to mention it.
We did not eat dinner at the hotel but did look at the buffet options available. They were a little uninspired if I'm honest. Again not unusual for hotels offering all inclusive but feel it should be mentioned.
Some noise from bar entertainment in room during evenings but nothing too bad and it stops around 1030pm. Could be a little irritating for anyone wanting an early night though.

Overall: a very good, well maintained, hotel with excellent staff that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. B&B option in particular is excellent value from my perspective. I'd like to thank all the staff for a very pleasant stay.

Simpatia dos empregados e qualidade do pequeno-almoço. Viajamos com um bebé de 6meses, e a equipa foi extremamente atenciosa com os pedidos que efetuamos, desde o berço até aos cuidados que tiveram diariamente com a mesma. Foi a segunda vez que fiquei neste hotel, e será o meu hotel de eleição nas próximas visitas à Madeira.

The location was perfect close to the city also close to the beach.The hotel was fantastic,we ate lots of times there for dinner.Never disappointed,enjoyed the breakfast as well.Nice selection of food and drinks.