Search Your Curral das Freiras Hotels

This hotel may have been a 4 star in the 60s or 70s but it definitely isn't one now in my opinion! The ”spa” is not useable! The balcony in the room was large with an awesome view but was filthy and in need of a serious pressure washing! The room furniture is adequate but very basic and old! The room itself was kept clean but is definitely showing its age and there were numerous water stains on the ceilings and walls with some moldy areas. The hotel in general is tired and worn outI! The quality of the breakfast is embarrassingly bad in every imaginable way! The service and food in the dining room in the evening was good. The very few staff at the hotel are nice and seem to be doing the best they can under the circumstances. The location is breathtaking and worth a visit but I would recommend just doing a day trip and avoiding this sorry establishment.

Vor 20 Jahren hatten wir bereits einen Aufenthalt in diesem Hotel erlebt, der damals sehr zufriedenstellend und äußerst entspannend war. Die Ausstattung war ebenfalls in gutem Zustand. Leider hat sich seit unserem letzten Besuch vor zwei Jahrzehnten wenig verändert. Die Handtücher, die wir vor 20 Jahren schon einmal genutzt hatten, waren immer noch im Gebrauch und zeigten deutliche Verschleißerscheinungen, sogar Ränder waren aufgelöst. Bei unserer Ankunft wurden wir gleich darauf hingewiesen, die Poolhandtücher öfter zu verwenden, was uns etwas befremdlich vorkam. Trotzdem haben wir nach vier Tagen die Zimmerhandtücher auf den Boden gelegt, in der Hoffnung, dass sie ausgetauscht werden. Leider geschah dies nicht. Ein weiterer Punkt, der uns enttäuschte. Außerdem ist vor den Zimmern eine neue Straße gebaut worden, wodurch wir den Eindruck hatten, als würden die Fahrzeuge direkt durch unser Zimmer fahren. Besonders in den Nächten zwischen 1 und 4 Uhr waren viele Jugendliche mit lauten Motorrädern und Autos ohne Schalldämpfer unterwegs, was zu schlaflosen Nächten führte. Am nächsten Morgen entdeckten wir sogar Kreise, die von den Hinterrädern der Fahrzeuge gezeichnet wurden. Ein wichtiger Tipp bei der Auswahl eines Hotels: Achten Sie immer darauf, dass keine Straße vor dem Hotel verläuft, selbst wenn es einen Meerblick bietet. Der zweite Punkt geht nur aufgrund des ausgesprochen netten Personals an das Hotel. ************ Twenty years ago, we had already experienced a stay at this hotel, which was very satisfying and extremely relaxing at that time. The facilities were also in good condition. Unfortunately, little has changed since our last visit two decades ago. The towels we had used twenty years ago were still in use and showed clear signs of wear and tear, with even the edges being frayed. Upon our arrival, we were immediately advised to use the pool towels more frequently, which struck us as somewhat strange. Nevertheless, after four days, we placed the room towels on the floor in the hope that they would be replaced. Unfortunately, this did not happen, which was another disappointment. Furthermore, a new road has been built in front of the rooms, giving us the impression that vehicles were driving right through our room. Especially during the nights between 1 and 4 am, many young people on loud motorcycles and cars without mufflers were causing sleepless nights. The next morning, we even discovered circles drawn by the rear wheels of the vehicles. An important tip when choosing a hotel: always make sure that there is no road in front of the hotel, even if it offers a sea view. The second point is awarded solely due to the exceptionally friendly staff at the hotel.

The bus stops nearby, but the staff take a walk if needed. The rooms are large, spacious, clean and warm. Breakfast is excellent, in our case we were only in 5 in the hotel so for each extra you could ask. Ex-cracked eggs, pancakes, etc. You can order a packed lunch, be careful with the bread. They write SANDWICH and it is with our bagleaf bread. Say you want the bread in a case made at home. That's great. Excellent dinner with various choices. Excellent prices. There is a small bar with Madeira's handicraft beers for the aperitif. I strongly advise this hotel!

We booked through Jet2 and I have to admit I hadn't done my homework very good. Our room was a Classic. On arrival found out that this is in the Reception Building. On the ground floor there is Reception, Bar and lounge areas. The bedrooms are located on the 1st floor - there are stairs and a lift. The other rooms with balcony's are located just across the road. On the ground floor and first floor - on the second floor is the pool and breakfast area. Our room was No. 136 which had 3 windows, which open - two windows overlooked the bar - just across the alley and the second window the road. The room is quite spacious - very clean and light from the windows, during the day. If you are a light sleeper, definitely a no. My husband wears hearing aids so once he took them out, he slept like a baby - but the noise goes on until the bars close after midnight. A good sized bed, very comfortable, pillows the same. There was only one chair - although when I asked we were provided with a dining chair. The wardrobe is opposite the door as you enter the room - you need the light on. The bathroom for two older, not so slim people was a bit tricky. The shower is to the left of the door, the sink directly in front and the toilet behind the door. So you have to open the door, lean back against the shower and the sink to squeeze round the door to get to the toilet. There is only one hook in the bathroom and not much shelf space in the room. Breakfast was good, plenty of choices and the staff are really pleasant and helpful. No problem with getting a sun bed in the pool area and the pool is very clean. We had a snack lunch on one occasion - a steak sandwich and it was excellent. The bar in the reception closed around 20.30. Daniel on reception was really helpful. The hotel is situated in a lovely spot, overlooking the harbour. Around the hotel are lots of bars and restaurants to choose from. We tried quite a few and they were all very good, quality and quantity of food. There is a local bus stop and the HOHO bus stops just up the hill from the hotel. Madeira is a beautiful island and is well worth a visit. The people are very welcoming.

Firstly, I’d like to start with the positives. The view from the hotel is second to none. The balcony looks out over the sea which is amazing. The room is a decent size and the breakfast is pretty good. However the faults for the hotel all add up and bring it right down. These are: 1. Ignored my 3 emails and Facebook message asking about parking. I also asked could I organise something to make my partners 30th birthday special. All ignored despite actually posting a video on Facebook after I messaged. 2. Adamant that I needed my hotel voucher despite not telling us we needed it in advance. They had us booked in and our room ready but wouldn’t give it to us after a long day travelling until I emailed this hotel voucher off the travel agent. Never heard anything like it. 3. They don’t tell you about parking online as that’s 7.50 a day. And if you wanted to reserve it advance don’t bother as they ignore messages. It was full when we got there. Luckily there were spaces for free on the road outside. 4. I wasn’t told about a holiday tax per night per person that was just introduced. I booked in December when it wasn’t in effect so I got stung by that. 5. They charged me for ice to take to my room. Again I’ve never heard of anything like it. 6. The double bed is actually 2 singles pushed together so you end up just sleeping apart. 7. The maid will without fail turn your air con off or pull your card out so your air con turns off. Glasses/mugs never got replaced when used 8. The bathroom is let down to feel like a public toilet as the soap and toilet roll is in dispensers like we can’t be trusted. So when you’re out you’re out. Overall could have been an amazing hotel but let down by cheaping out. It wouldn’t cost much to do the little things that make a difference.

It’s a nice quiet genteel hotel. Rooms are well appointed and spotless. We would have preferred a proper shower rather than one over a bath but it was adequate. The staff are helpful and always pleasant. Breakfasts are fine with a range of the usual fare you may expect. Food round the pool is again pleasant without being exceptional. We had only booked b&b so didn’t have dinner in the evening there although I understand it is exceptional if you choose to dine at the ala-carte restaurant. The hotel is quite a way out of town up some steep hills so walking to and from the hotel from Funchal isn’t really an option. However they do offer regular complementary shuttle service except weekends,which we found very unusual,but there are also regular bus services from a stop at the end of the road so no real problem. When we were there the hotel catered exclusively to the older traveller so not really suitable for younger people or families with children I wouldn’t think, but there are many other more suitable options in the area for that demographic. In conclusion if you’re looking for that quiet old fashioned charm with a touch of elegance and service this would fit the bill.