Flag Hotel Madeira - Ribeira Brava

This was a very decent and affordable hotel — nothing fancy or luxurious, but it covers the basics quite well. It’s clean, efficient, and does the job for travelers looking for a simple place to stay. One of the best surprises was that if you’re lucky enough to get a room with ocean views, it really adds a lot of value to the overall experience. That said, there were some clear drawbacks. The room itself felt extremely tight, especially for two people with a couple of suitcases. There was very limited space to move around, which made things feel a bit cramped and uncomfortable. The bathroom was also quite small, and while functional, it lacked the comfort you’d hope for in a multi-day stay. One highlight was the balcony. Though the interior space was tight, the room had a good-sized balcony where we enjoyed golden hour and sunset views — that part was genuinely lovely and added a sense of openness and relaxation we didn’t get inside the room. The most significant downside for me was the parking situation. The hotel only has three official parking spots, which are always full. Given the area is busy and surrounded by in-demand places like grocery stores, cafés, restaurants, and a laundromat, street parking is very limited and expensive. I had to park at a nearby garage, which cost 10 euros overnight. As for the rooftop, the amenities there weren’t particularly impressive — nothing that would stand out compared to more upscale hotels. But once again, the ocean and sunset views from the rooftop are stunning and give you a brief illusion of being at a five-star resort. All in all, this hotel offers good value for money, especially if you’re not planning to spend too much time in the room. It’s a solid base for exploring the area, as long as you’re okay with a few compromises in comfort and convenience.

Dated hotel but clean and very friendly helpful staff. Not bad breakfast with bacon and scrambled eggs.

I highly recommend it, the reception staff were very nice and helpful, the rooms were cleaned every day, a nice view from the balcony, there is no air conditioning, but there is a fan. Nice, large rooms, large and comfortable beds, shower gel in the bathroom and towels changed every day. Rooftop swimming pool and sun loungers. Tasty breakfasts, regularly replenished, good juices and coffee, the only thing is that there are no vegetables for a sandwich.