The Residence

The Residence is not a base for a quick city break in Funchal; guests come here to relax amid the sprawling subtropical gardens or unwind by the sea. With its self-catering set-up and quieter setting, the hotel attracts more mature couples, and, thanks to the number of time-share holders and retuning guests, there’s a real community vibe. On the most part, usability and practicality are prioritized above style; the gardens are beautifully maintained and the marble lobby makes a smart first impression, but the general hotel decor is a little dated and uninspiring. Expect to see lots of wood paneling, neutral hues, and just a few sparingly deployed pieces of modern art throughout. 

This hotel occupies the west wing of the three-hotel Vila Porto Mare resort, in a hillside spot overlooking the sea. The resort sits in a popular touristy region dominated by hotels and restaurants, a five-minute walk along the seaside promenade to the popular Lido area. There’s a supermarket right outside, handy for self-catering. The pebble beach at Praia Formosa is a five-minute drive away and it’s a 15-minute drive to Camara de Lobos. A free 10-minute shuttle bus runs several times a day into Funchal’s old town, or it’s a half-hour walk, with one uphill section. Madeira’s airport is half an hour away by car.

Rooms are similar in style to those at the Suite Hotel Eden Mar. Beige dominates, but the marginally better quality materials (granite worktops, larger marble bathroom) and attention to detail (splashes of color through the rugs and modern artwork) remove an element of the bland, chain hotel feel found in its sister property. However, there’s still the feeling of functionality over style. Air-conditioning, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players come standard. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi costs extra. Kitchenettes (housed in a separate room in the apartments) have mini-fridges, two small cooktops, microwaves, and toasters. Marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos in the entry-level Studios, and the apartments include an extra walk-in shower. Double beds are twins that have been pushed together. The 320-square-foot (30-meter-square) Studios can sleep three people, with the third guest on a rollaway bed. Spacious One Bedroom Apartments are 750 square feet (70 square meters) and have a living area with dining table, plus a dishwasher in the separate kitchenette. Two-bedroom apartments are also available. All rooms face the sea, but those on the ground floor don’t quite have a sea view. However, these are the only rooms with a patio and direct access to the gardens. Rooms on higher floors have a balcony.

The Vila Porto Mare resort is well set-up for its time-share holders and guests looking for easy access to a choice of restaurants and pools. Each of the three hotels here has its own reception, while the facilities and the glorious gardens — housing over 500 unique botanical species — are shared. There’s no pool directly at The Residence (at 99 rooms, it’s the smallest property), but guests have use of four pools (indoor and outdoor) within the resort grounds. Other facilities across the resort include four restaurants (the Italian eatery, Il Basilico, gets good reviews from guests), a spa with seven treatment rooms, and good-size gym. Wi-Fi is free in public areas, but you’ll need to pay extra for the convenience of access in your room. For getting around, a free shuttle runs regularly to Funchal’s old town and city center during daylight hours and there’s free parking on-site for those with their own cars.