Hotel Riu Madeira - All Inclusive

We’ve been to a few Riu hotels around the world and even got married in one but this is definitely one of the best we’ve been to, thank you for a fantastic holiday.

The Riu Madeira... what a dichotomy. Aesthetically, a beautiful hotel. Spotlessly clean, roomy, beautiful, spacious rooms, stunning views across the the North Atlantic. Sounds idyllic. The reality is a little different. But where to begin? If you enjoy 1970's style dancing cabaret.. virtually every night, then you'll love it! No discos or dancing here! No, you'll sit down (indoors) and watch something akin to a primary school dance class rehearsal. Food. If you like overheated, dried out food, you'll love it. Not just that, but the same dried out menu every day! Staff. There have been a handful of genuinely nice, friendly staff. However, by and large, we've been made to feel like an encumberance. I asked one member of the bar staff for a decaf coffee and he sighed! I appreciate it's not most peoples dream job, but a little civility isn't much to ask is it? I could go on, but you get the picture. Would I recommend this hotel - no. Would I come back - Not if you paid me. Am I disappointed- Massively Riu, you need to up your game.. majorly

Everything was just perfect! I was traveling as part of TUI CEE group as travel agent. We stayed at Your hotel for 5 nights and it was great to experience RIU Hospitality at the glance. Thank You once more for everything!

Everything about this hotel what amazing… the food , the people and it’s very clean and I’m hard to please but I do not have any complaints. Love love love my stay here . For anyone who will go and see the sunrise, bring a blanket with you . 😃😃😃

Well it’s day 5 and thank goodness the sun has come out! Seen very little sun up until now, and believe me when it’s cloudy and that breeze kicks in it’s quite chilly, imagine a cloudy day with a breeze in the UK this time of year and you have it. We decided to pop into Funchal as the weather wasn’t great which we found very pleasant. We tried the cable car up to Monte Palace Gardens, the views from the cable car were amazing. The Gardens themselves are worth a visit especially on a cloudy day as you spend a lot of time under tree cover, so keep an eye on the forecast and try and pick non sunny day. This was the Monday which was their festival day, effectively their bank holiday so we found out. We thought great we are visiting on festival day, there will be plenty going on, how wrong were we! Most things closed, residents had free entry into the gardens. This also meant that when we exited the gardens and headed for the toboggan ride all the tickets had been sold! So back down in the cable car, and back on courtesy buss back to hotel. We then booked courtesy bus for the following day as yet again cloud forecast. Took a taxi up to toboggans 20 euros, and boom - it’s mad but a must! Took a taxi back down, still 20 euros and visited cathedral which is very pleasant and a nice way to kill 20 minutes. Continued west and found the RITZ were we both devoured a knickerbocker glory, very nice.There is loads of little bars and restaurants to break up the hotels samey offerings. Now the hotel, we have stayed in many RIUs in Europe and Mexico and they are our go to. So this one is bang average, had better had worse. We ate in the speciality restaurant last night which is 5 out 5 , much better than expected having looked at the menu. The food on the whole is ok, never struggled for something to eat yet which I have at other RIUs and other chains in the past. Where it is lacking is there is never anything special on the menu, it is same same old. Previously there has been plates of prawns or perhaps a fresh salmon on offer but not here. Biggest winge is the most uncomfortable subbed in the world, 30 minutes numb bum The entertainment is ok to be fair, no RIU reps miming here ! Local area is pretty residential with a few shops and restaurants, biggest disappointment is the prom at the front of the hotel is only 5 minutes walk either direction then that’s it.Would we come back, no, are we glad we came yes.

Me and my partner had been needing a holiday to our selves with our the kids and this couldn’t of been a better hotel to stay at