VidaMar Resort Hotel Madeira

Location and Views: The hotel's location is frequently praised for its proximity to the town center and its stunning ocean views. Many guests found the surrounding greenery and scenic ambiance to be a highlight of their stay.(based on 1 review)

During our recent stay at what is advertised as a five-star hotel, we were particularly disappointed by the buffet restaurant, which fell far short of expectations in both food quality and variety. The buffet’s “hot” food section was especially underwhelming. Each morning and evening, the selection consisted of nine warming trays on either side of a central chef station, but both sides offered identical items, limiting the actual choice to just nine dishes plus whatever the chef was preparing. Unfortunately, the food in these trays was never truly hot—at best, it was lukewarm, regardless of when we arrived. Only the food served directly by the chef was properly heated. Breakfast was monotonous, with the same options every day: pears in tepid juice, small pancakes, waffles, warm porridge, sliced peppers, baked beans, cooked tomatoes, and bacon so thin it was nearly transparent and rock hard when crisp. The grey chipolata sausages were unappetizing laid on white bread that quickly became soggy. The chef could poach or fry eggs and make omelettes, but when we requested scrambled eggs, the cook simply whisked two eggs in a bowl and heated them until congealed, rather than preparing them in the traditional creamy style we’ve enjoyed at other hotels. The continental breakfast selection was equally repetitive, featuring melon slices, orange segments, pineapple chunks, a few cheeses, cold meats, crackers, and runny yogurt. The cakes were a highlight, and there was muesli and bran flakes available, but overall, the variety was lacking. Dinner options were similarly limited and heavily skewed towards fish and rice dishes. Some nights there were three fish dishes, one meat option, and the rest were accompaniments—often rice, with potatoes only occasionally making an appearance. I never saw chips (French fries) and when mashed potatoes were offered, they were lumpy. One night there was beef stew, but it was fatty and l left it. The salad bar was sparse, with just one type of lettuce, grated carrot, and small chopped cubes of chicken, but no pasta or substantial alternatives. The only truly enjoyable meals we had were at the hotel’s specialty restaurants, which can be booked at reception at no extra cost. Mamma Mia offered a good selection of pastas and pizzas, while Casa das Espetados served excellent quality meats and fish on skewers, cooked to order. Both restaurants provided generous portions, attentive service, and a much higher standard of food than the buffet. These venues are well worth visiting repeatedly during your stay. In summary, the buffet restaurant does not live up to the hotel’s five-star rating or pricing. The food is repetitive, lukewarm, and lacks variety, especially for those who do not eat fish. While the specialty restaurants are excellent, the hotel buffet was a major letdown. I cannot recommend this hotel if you are expecting a high-quality buffet dining experience.