Alto Lido

Popular with older couples, this three-pearl hotel is located along the main tourist strip and a 10-minute ride on the free shuttle to town. The hotel is largely dated, especially the standard-type rooms and public spaces. The marble-floored lobby is done in old-fashioned, worn light-yellow and blue country-style sofas, plus a few blue-potted plants. Hallways have wicker chairs with patterned cushions facing windows that overlook the sea. The Baia Azul Restaurant has a more appealing design of trompe l'oeil wallpaper, a wooden horse sculpture, and simple wood furniture. Many furnishings and structures are showing their age, though the hotel claims refurbishments are planned for the end of 2017. 

The Hotel Alto Lido is well situated on the main strip of the tourist area, a five-minute walk from the seaside. The area is quite hilly, so the 30-minute walk into Funchal town can be a bit difficult, though the hotel offers a free shuttle four times a day. There are also ample restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity. Madeira Airport is a 25-minute drive away.

The standard-type rooms are dated and in need of a refresh, outfitted with patterned green carpet, old-fashioned wood furniture, and coral-colored linens. They are, however, spacious and clean, as well as equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and safes. Rooms have furnished balconies, some with lovely views of the sea. The apartment-style rooms are more contemporary and attractive, featuring wood floors, blonde-wood furniture, and pops of bright-pink and olive-green in the walls, linens, and artwork. These come with well-stocked kitchenettes, dining tables, and living areas with sofas. Bathrooms appear aging across the board, and they come with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and basic toiletries. In-room Wi-Fi requires a fee. 

Hotel features are standard for a resort town and vary in quality and datedness. The outdoor pool is pleasant and it has an adjacent small pool for kids. Worn loungers and a smattering of umbrellas are available. There's also an indoor pool housed in an atrium, though it gets little sunlight and the tiling appears dirty. The gym is windowless and has only a few basic pieces of equipment, and there are also a squash court and ping-pong table. A sauna and jetted tub are available for a fee. Two restaurants are available, as well as an indoor bar with occasional live music. One section of the pool bar features lovely blue tile and a tented roof, while another section with a pool table is a bit rough around the edges. There's also an on-site gift shop for tourists looking to bring a bit of Madeira home.