Vila Gale Santa Cruz

Vila Gale Santa Cruz makes a fairly grand first impression that matches its dazzling seaside setting. Guests enter to a high-ceilinged, light-filled lobby that opens to the courtyard, pool, and sea beyond. It's a relaxed place for travelers seeking relative quiet, and the public spaces have a pleasant look, even if the slightly sagging vinyl couches are institutional rather than chic. Guests spend most of their time outdoors around the large swimming pool or on the pebble-and-stone beach. With little on-site entertainment and no nightclub, the atmosphere here is peaceful, and noise from planes taking off and landing at the nearby airport doesn't generally bother guests. The resort is fairly good for families with children, despite the kids' club not being as elaborate as at other area resorts. While the vibe isn't exactly romantic, couples are also drawn to the beach and peaceful setting. 

Vila Gale Santa Cruz is situated on the Atlantic Ocean in the quiet village of Santa Cruz, which has a few restaurants and shops (within a three-minute walk). A taxi stand and bus stop are both within a two-minute walk of the Vila Gale. Aquaparque and Madeira Oceanos Diving Center are both a little under a five-minute drive from the resort. Santo da Serra Golf Club is a 10-minute drive, and the resort provides a changing room and assistance in booking tee times. Central Funchal takes 20 minutes to reach by car, or 80 minutes by local bus. The hotel also provides a thrice-daily, round-trip shuttle, though space is limited. Central Funchal has a Farmers Market, Monte Cable Car, Santa Catarina Park, cruise terminal, 15th-century cathedral, and the Cristiano Ronaldo Museum, which is dedicated to the famous soccer star. Madeira Airport is under a five-minute drive from the resort. 

The spacious rooms and Junior Suites at Vila Gale Santa Cruz aren't dated, but the black vinyl seating, orange carpets and accents, and brown-infused art work aren't the sharpest design choice we've seen. Rooms get good natural light, and all have balconies, some with views of the beach or airport runway. Rooms are clean and in good condition, but there are a few complaints about stiff mattresses. All 262 rooms come with air-conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, CD/DVD players, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel can provide an electric kettle and instant coffee and tea upon request, though supplies are limited. Junior Suites have separate living rooms. Spacious bathrooms are done in white and have a reasonably modern look. All come with shower/tub combos, bidets, hairdryers, and magnifying mirrors. Room and public spaces at the resort are non-smoking. Despite the airport proximity, most guests are unbothered by plane noise.

While the rooms aren't the most memorable, the hotel's features make it a solid package for those seeking a relaxed and quiet getaway. Vila Gale Santa Cruz is situated on a pebble-and-stone beach that's fine for swimming and has a pontoon for jumping into the sea. There's also a big outdoor pool, plus an adjacent children's pool and seasonal poolside bar serving drinks and light fare. The pools occasionally get cold, and some guests have noted shortages of sun loungers. A small, heated indoor pool is situated in a light-filled space and features water spouts and adjacent hot tub. Satsanga Spa provides a sauna, Turkish bath, and contemporary treatment rooms for massages and aesthetic treatments. Guests get free access to the spa facilities. The fitness center is well-lit with large windows and provides updated cardio and strength-training equipment. 

Food here gets mixed reviews and all-inclusive plans are available. The breakfast buffet includes a good range of hot and cold items, and the hotel has a buffet restaurant and a la carte restaurant, both serving Portuguese and international cuisine. Room service is available around the clock. An evening soul and blues bar is also on-site. Unlike some other resorts in the area, the Vila Gale has no animation team and entertainment is limited to local dance groups and events like parrot shows. The kids' club is compact, but colorful, and there's a game room as well. The resort also has a library, conference center, concierge service, and free thrice-daily round-trip shuttle to Funchal (though space is limited). Wi-Fi is free, but unfortunately there's a fee for parking.