Quinta Bela Sao Tiago

Early May we booked a room at this hotel which was confirmed. End of august we reveived a message they don't have a room available. More than 3 months later! 6 weeks before our arrival which makes it difficult to find a similar hotel. They offered an alternative which did not even come close to what we booked. Very poor service. Don't risk making a booking here.

It's a smaller boutique type of hotel in a very good location for walking into the centre of Funchal. Lovely gardens, wonderful views. Two terraces overlooking the pool and gardens. The bar terrace was bigger and this is where breakfast dinner was served. Buffet breakfast was varied and generous. Dinner menu didn't change for the two week we were there and I guess it never does, however we were staying breakfast only so this didn't bother us although we did choose to dine there three time. Food in the evening was so so, can't really recommend. Typical bar meals available during the day which were ok. All staff lovely and always very helpful. The terrace was also targeted by lots of pigeons which were quite a nuisance, even picking food off of tables. A small sign was put up asking for people not to feed the pigeons but sadly some did, which only encouraged more.

We were in room 129 on the street level. On arrival we were handed a decrepit remote control which had buttons that frequently fell off. This was to control the lights in our room and on the balcony. It didn't work very well and couldn't be changed (we asked). There was only one unused electrical socket in the whole room that worked permanently. The only other one switched off with the lights. The air conditioning didn't work for three days after arrival because of a hotel wide fault. When it did work, it was centrally controlled and only operated for a few hours during the day and never at night. When it did work you couldn't change the temperature setting, only the fan speed. Sleeping as a result proved to be hot and uncomfortable. This was a major issue for us so the hotel provided a fan. It was a pedestal fan and given the location of the only socket it had to be so close to the bed that even on the slowest speed was literally pinning us to the wall - so not a solution.

Room 129 was right over the kitchens. Work to prepare for breakfast started at 6 am and created a lot of noise, which woke us up every day without fail.

The overall impression of the room was that it was very tired and well overdue for refurbishment. There was limited storage space - large wardrobe but only three drawers. There was a mini fridge in a cupboard but given the ambient temperature of the room it was pretty ineffective so we unplugged it, which gave us use of an extra socket.

The bathroom was clean but also tired. There was always plenty of hot water - and it was scalding hot. There was an over the bath shower with a folding screen that didn't seal against the bath so flooded the floor. The was basin was cracked.

The hotel had a spa in the basement. It was spread over several rooms, all of which were dimly lit and uninviting. We didn't see anyone use it in the entire time we were there. However there was a gym, jacuzzi and a steam room, so available for anyone who wanted it.

The pool area was nice and a few sunbeds always seemed to be available so no need to rush down to reserve one (at least in the time we were there). Towels available from reception. Bar service provided to your lounger.

And now, the thing that absolutely ruined it for us....there is a construction site next door and from 0930 to 1900 every week day, excavation was going on which produced constant noise, peaking at 80 decibels. There were also intermittent clouds of brown dust that swept over the pool area and covered all the tables on the bar terrace. For us it was intolerable and so we limited the time we actually spent at the hotel during the day. This looked to be a large site and we would estimate that works will be ongoing for many months to come.

Excellent value for money, the location is brilliant in the old part of town, with a short walk to the center of Funchal. Old fashioned style, which I prefer over a modern hotel block any day with beautiful views on Funchal and the sea. Super friendly staff and my half board food was ok, yes, no Michelin star food, but everything was freshly prepared and mostly tasty. The outdoor restaurant terrace was calm and quiet and the pool for relaxation.
I can highly recommend this little gem of a hotel.

A beautifully, clean, elegant hotel. The staff are lovely, the breakfast is plentiful. I love it here it's a delight. Love the fish, the terraces, the library, reception, pool, bar, everything. Perfect location in the old town and one day I will go back. Thank you for my lovely stay

Nice quaint hotel and end of steep hill near the town centre.
We stayed in room 223 and it was pleasant with a sea view. Reasonable price and breakfast included. Overall we chose this for its great location and views over the port and ocean. Car park looked quite small but we never used it.

Clean, comfortable and friendly hotel. A beautiful old building which was originally a manor house situated in a banana plantation( there is still a plantation in the well presented gardens) our bedroom was on the top floor. The balcony on three sides afforded amazing views over Funchal and the sea.
Breakfast and dinner were good, but the hotel had no facilities for guests to obtain snacks during the day. Furnishings are comfortable. The swimming pool elegant and spotlessly clean. We didn't take advantage of the sauna and gym .
The hotel is situated in a handy position for the renovated old town and lots of excellent restaurants, the cable car up to Monte and the gardens. An easy walk into central Funchal - downhill going, uphill returning.

The reviews said it was an old mess, well, it’s old… but it has character! The neighborhood is the best: just outside the touristic part of Funchal, but here you’ll find nice cosy streets and alleys with nice restaurants and shops. The staff is very kind, sometimes a bit too kind for two ladies traveling, if you know what I mean. 😉
Beds are hard, but I don’t mind. The only thing I was a bit disappointed about was that it said there’s a heated pool, well it wasn’t heated, it was so cold!

Come back from an amazing week in Funchal, hotel not so good apart from the location.
We had a great view from the balcony and breakfast was reasonable.
Our issue was with the ant infested room, my daughter was eating crisps in the room and ants appeared all over the bed, reception told us not to eat in the bed, yet they offer breakfast in bed and room service. Our bed was changed and room sprayed, next day more ants around the bed and I moved the valance, under was lots of tiny ants. I went to reception again to deal with a very rude and aggressive member of staff who shouted at me and my 11 year old daughter for having crisps in the room, which were at this time packed away. There were no ants anywhere else but around the bed, in the bed and around the woodwork. Rooms are dated with few electrical points, lack of lighting and no bath robes. Construction work behind the hotel is very loud so you are unable to relax fully.
On our last day we had a note left on the bed with numerous rules about not taking food at breakfast, not to being own food to pool, no naked swimming and many other rules of which made me feel very uncomfortable.
This is not suitable for families and the hotel staff are very rude and not interested in the paying customers.

This has been our third visit to this lovely hotel and wouldn't consider staying anywhere else.
The hotel arranged for us to stay in the same room as the previous two visits with an amazing view of the sea and Funchal old town (Room 315).
As a repeat guest there was a bowl of fruit, madeira cake and a bottle of madeira wine waiting.
All the staff, especially David Rodrigues on reception are excellent.
The hotel is well situated in the old town though anyone with mobility issues may think twice as there is a steep incline to and from the hotel.
The hotel, pool area and rooms are clean & tidy. The breakfast is good with plenty of choice.
Looking forward to our next visit. Well done Quinta Bela sao tiago.

We have just returned from a one week stay at the hotel Bela Sao Tiago, Funchal.Having read so many negative comments prior to arriving ,we were somewhat apprehensive. It is hard to imagine just what went wrong with other people’s holidays as we enjoyed an amazing holiday. Firstly, location, the views from the hotel are spectacular. The staff, especially the bar and restaurant staff are all very friendly and professional. We were on a half board meal plan. The breakfasts were plentiful and tasty. The evening meal was superb , four courses, starter, followed by the fish course, then the meat course and then dessert The food was always beautifully presented and creative as well as nutritious and appetising. Our room, on the second floor was comfortable and well maintained.All in all a fantastic holiday

I was really happy with my stay as a solo traveller. I booked a cheap and cheerful jet 2 package and I wasn’t disappointed.

Pool area and terraces lovely.

I didn’t eat breakfast as I knew it would not be up to my standard, on viewing it one morning this was confirmed.

Room lovely, proper wooden floors and marble in the bathroom. If this is not your thing then you will probably be disappointed.

Location great much better than most of the other newer hotels.

My 1 complaint is the pillows!!! They are the worst I have ever had the misfortune to sleep on. Honestly they should have been thrown out years ago. I kicked myself for not bringing my own as a previous post highlighted this issue.

Would I stay here again - definitely

Booked in today, writing this review on my first evening, this place is absolutely terrible, unable to make a drink in your room, water pressure crap, it’s like time travel, booking a ruin the 60’s, the place is terrible, planning to move hotels first thing tomorrow, feeling very ripped off, never again.

Booked months ago, having stayed exactly 4 years ago.
Was a bit concerned given some recent poor reviews, but have to report that the only difference was a lack of prosecco at breakfast. Hardly worth mentioning.
It was my wife's birthday and last time they gave us a small cake. This time they provided 2 cakes, a bottle of Madeira wine and a basket of fruit! How kind is that?
Room was clean and spacious, pool area inviting, and staff helpful and welcoming.
Breakfast fine (despite the lack of sparking wine!)
Well located near the old town and close to the sea and a couple of excellent beach bars as well as the 'yellow' fort, good for exploring.
Gentle, but longish, road up from market area to the hotel.

A bit of a mixed review. I could not contact the hotel via email or the Expedia app (quintabelasaotiago.com is not the domain name for the hotel email) prior to arrival. some of the front desk staff (Nadia) are excellent as is Sa in the restaurant but others are surly and disinterested.
We asked to borrow an iron and were told at the front desk that we would have to pay - then it never turned up since the only way to get clothes ironed is to use the laundry service.
We asked for a replacement knife at breakfast (to cut some cake and the other was covered in egg yoke) only to be told 'you've got one already!'.
The room aircon did not work and there is a very quaint button to operate the lights - something from many decades in the past.
The hotel is lovely, presented really well with fresh flowers. It's location is unbeatable with a wonderful view across the harbour. This makes up for the less than perfect staff.
I'd go back for sure, it is quirky and the location and hotel fabric is great - old style Portuguese.

Such a beautiful, authentic hotel, in a lovely setting in the old town overlooking the sea.
If you want slick and modern, the hotel district will suit you better, but if you enjoy character, gardens, spacious classic rooms and a real feel of the country you are visiting, I would completely recommend this hotel.
My tiny note to the managers is that morning coffee needs an upgrade.
We chose a room with a street and Mountain View, it was much bigger than expected and sitting on the sunny balcony every morning was a delight, followed by breakfast on the terrace looking at the lovely pool and sea.
We enjoyed every minute of being here and will certainly return.

we were upgraded to a family suit at the top of the building, spacious, sea and pool views but an odd shaped room.

Great location above Old town with restaurants with easy walk to main tourist areas in Funchal.

I can only say terrible because having paid for private transfers to get to the hotel, we were greeted with “oh did you not get the message? You’ve been moved”. No explanation, just a shrug and assurance we were going to their much nicer sister hotel. The new hotel was very pleasant with lovely views, BUT not in the city - 2 miles from our chosen hotel, and up a very long steep incline . It was also up in a residential area which then required buses or taxis to get anywhere , as there were no bars/ restaurants or any other things nearby. And no shuttle . We tried complaining but have just been blanked. Had we been told of the move we’d have cancelled the booking; we did not want to be out of the city, as I’ve recently had knee ops and wanted to be close to things for our very short break on Madeira. Very disappointing

It’s a fraud. Showed up to check in and was told I didn’t book there, but a sister property 3 miles up and out of town. Did not honor the reservation I had through hotels.com, I was left to deal with it on my own. 3 emails to this hotel and not one works. The manager is “ never in” it’s a scam

Parking sucked and there was not enough of it because the hotel kept using it for there vehicles! Told us to pay off site!!,
David the front desk guy was rude and unhelpful our hold trip and with many problems which he did not fix a promised! Like the 120 in the bathroom which did not work so my electric toothbrush got fried in a room outlet which he did not care about! Breakfast was Awful, slow and we stopped eating after 2 days for our 10 day trip. Dishes sat in our room all week and never gave us more coffee for our room. We also went out and could not get back in their locked gate at night for more than 30 minutes!!! Hotel looks nice but management and staff are terrible!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great option for a stay in Funchal. A spectacular view from the terrace across the harbour.
Staff extremely friendly and competent. The food is good (but not spectacular) at reasonable prices.
It does not have children's facilities - possibly more suitable for adults.
The rooms are clean and well maintained.
Definitely worthy of consideration