3 independent reviews for Madeira self drive holiday
Reviews for Madeira self drive holiday
Diana Ruthven review 15 Jun 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The cable car at funchal and the botanic gardens.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The caves are closed for the foreseeable at Sao Vicente and there’s not much else to do there. Also massive works which will take some time to finish. Better to stay further up the coast in seixal or Porto Montez with its volcanic pools. If you’re a vegetarian it’s very hard to find food outside of Funchal. Madeiran food is very meat and fish oriented. The portions are massive! One sandwich is nearly always enough for two!Take waterproofs even if it is sunny where you are as the weather even in June is changeable and the levadas are v wet so take walking boots.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not really aside from staying in small hotels. Disappointed that in two of the hotels (Sao Vicente and Ribera brava) had small plastic sachets for shower and shampoo rather than filling up a larger bottle (as Funchal hotel Caju did). No recycling evident in any of the hotels. Sachets for tomato ketchup etc all used in two of the hotels. Can’t see why the hotel in Sao Vicente was chosen at all. It was very basic.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It was okay, but in hindsight we should have done our own research of the places suggested. The hotel in Sao Vicente particularly disappointing. The last hotel wnd hotel caju were very good and the evening buffet and hotel do campo was very nice. Staff were very friendly.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Diana
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a review and we’ve noted your comments on where you felt we fell short of your expectations. It’s so helpful to receive your feedback – we are always striving to improve the service we offer to our customers and we will share this with the wider team and our local partners. If you would like to discuss your experience further however, please do get in touch.
Pam Taylor review 10 Nov 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Experiencing a different culture and island.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Rent an automatic, better for steep hills.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefited local people as we were tourists. Not sure about the rest.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I have recommended Madeira to all my friends.Deborah Robinson review 17 Mar 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to choose. The view from our room at Casa da Capelinha. The amazing seafood and local restaurants/bakeries. MUDAS at Calheta.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Stay away from the bigger resorts and visit the smaller towns (Ponta Delgada, Seixal, Canical, Ponta do Sol, Camacha, Curral das Freiras)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, particularly the use of smaller locally owned hotels.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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