More about Hotel Albergaria Dias
Unbeatable
by TripAdvisor Member Kilderkin
We got back yesterday from Funchal,our second trip to Madeira.We booked directly with Cecilia, on reception, at the Albergaria Dias Hotel.We had read all of the reviews and we totally agree with the rave reviews from other visitors. Juan Dias and his staff are fantastic.We were embraced by him on our departure and thanked for for our visit.When was anyone ever treated like that?
We took the advice of a previous visitor and booked room 402 at the top of the hotel.Slightly more expensive but worth every penny.It's a large room with en-suite bathroom and large built in wardrobe.Two French doors lead out to a 15 ft x 12ft patio,with two lilos,umbrella ,table and chairs and 270 degree panoramic views.Suite 401 next door has a lounge,bedroom and bathroom and a large patio with front views only.
The 40s and upwards clientele were Dutch,French ,German and Brits who socialised in the evening in the bar and by the pool.Some Brits discretely brought small electrical gadgets for in room tea making.!!! Ssshhh
By booking direct and flying EasyJet from Stansted we saved almost £400 from the brochure price for two.We'll be back.
A Gem of a hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Chris&Carole
This hotel is without a doubt a gem - an oasis located in the old town area of Funchal. Have just spent 5 sun-filled days based at the Albergaria Dias and will most probably return there often in the coming years. The hotel, the location, the staff all are charming and friendly. Rooms (35 in total) are modern, clean and all overlook the delightful garden area and swimming pool and the sea beyond (we were on the 2nd floor). The breakfasts were super as was afteronn tea by the pool sampling the banana cake. The hotel owner, Mr Dias, was a charming host - always available yet remaining in the background. Access to the old town and beyond is via a private access-controlled lane at the side of the hotel (check out the lizzards!) where within minutes you are deposited amongst the old streets with some fine restaurants with street tables - all reasonably priced. We ventured into central Funchal on the saturday night but much preferred the feel of the old town ambience. We booked direct with the hotel and flew with easyJet from Bristol - no hassle. The hotel is approx. 20 minutes from the airport and they organised a friendly taxi driver (Virgil) to pick us up - door to door, cost 25 euros.
Funchal tips; take the open top bus tour early on to get your bearings. Cost 10 euros each but you can then use the ticket all day on the normal yellow buses. Vist the Botanical Gardens - fabulous (3 euros). Take the cable car - fantastic. Visit St Catarina gardens (free) at the far end of the sea front - wonderfull. We are so glad to have discovered Madeira. No stag or hen do's, no binge drinkers, no brit-yobs swearing and throwing-up in the streets. Hope it stays this way for many years to come. Enjoy!
Super little hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Merriott-Travellers
We stayed here for 5 nights in mid-February and found it to be everything that previous reviews have said. It is in a great position in the old town, close to loads of good restaurants, the cable car and bus station. We were very well looked after-all the staff are polite, friendly and attentive and the room was clean and well equipped. We did walk to the other end of Funchal to look at the Lido area as we had considered staying there but were very glad that we chose the Old Town area. Lido seemed a long way out, soulless, covered in builders cranes and you cannot see the beautiful scenery of Funchal
A JEWEL IN THE OLD QUARTER
by TripAdvisor Member sebastian8
Tucked away in the old part old FUNCHAL, two minutes walk to the nearest restaurants and only five into town,I found this gem of a hotel ideally situated. One does not need a car to travel around.
The hotel is kept immaculate, the food is excellent and the staff exceptional in their helpfulness. Mr DIAS the owner, always ensuring that all is well.
A four star hotel with only thirty five rooms, I advise anybody to book early and you will not be disappointed in your choice.
This is the one!
by TripAdvisor Member Brasrus
Our first time to Madeira,and we had read the very good reports on Trip advisor about this hotel. The booking was direct with the hotel, travelled with easy jet and caught the 'aerobus' from the airport to the town centre.The hotel reception was friendly, gave us a welcome drink and advised us on the best local restaurants. Room 301 was clean, comfortable, adequate balcony with chairs and a table with a splendid sea view. The slightly cheaper rooms were not so high, so no sea view but a view over the pool and lush garden.
Breakfast was very good, choice of hot and or cold - hot was typically a fried egg with bacon or sausage, and often pancakes as well. Cold was a great typical continental spread, fresh breads, croissants, ham, cheese and lots of fruit salad.
The hotel is in a very quiet (little traffic noise) area of the old town, a short walk from the seafront and harbour areas,and within literally five minutes walk were about a dozen restaurants. We tried about five, and we did not have a bad meal in any of them. The local fish, espada, is fantastic.The Portugese wines available were good and not too pricy, and typically you would be given a free Madeira wine as a starter
Public transport is cheap and easy to use.. Weather was excellent, 24 degrees some days.Would we go again? Yes.
Would we recommend the hotel? Definitely. One of the best all-round value hotels we have stayed in, and excellent food, reception and service staff could not have been more helpful. Plus, although it is a modern hotel, it is family run. Mr Dias is visible and takes a keen interest. My wife had a birthday during our stay and Mr Dias arranged for a beautiful flower arrangement to be placed in our room for her. a much appreciated gesture.
If you book this hotel you will not be disappointed.
Best Hotel Ever
by TripAdvisor Member Harribo
Possibly the best small hotel we have ever stayed at. Booked it on the basis of the Trip Advisor reviews and found them all to be true. Most courteous and helpful staff ever encountered. Lovely room with balcony and sea view (pay a little extra for the higer rooms for the sea view). Great ,intimate and relaxing pool area with terrace alongside where we had our breakfast each morning and night cap each evening! Lovely breakfasts by the way. The hotel is spotless and in a perfect location - a private entrance at the rear leads directly into the old town with a wide choice of restaurants and bars within 5 minutes walk. The fenicular is also only 10 mins away. We highly recommend this hotel without hesitation. Small and friendly but with all the facilities you need and perfect location. The hotel will arrange for you to be met at the airport which for four of you is very economical at 30 euros. Easiest to simply book by 'phone with email follow - all staff speak English. No credit card details were asked for on the 'phone or email - simply paid on arrival.
Great place to relax
by TripAdvisor Member Blueronnie
We chose this hotel from Thomson's Small and Friendly brochure and believe me they were not wrong. The hotel is perfectly situated in the old town with numerous restaurants within a couple of minutes walk and everything you need in central Funchal just a few minutes further. The bus stops and cable car are just down the road too. You cannot fault the location.
The hotel itself has an excellent pool area and a small bar. The staff, including the owner, are very friendly and helpful. Our rooms were very good with plenty of room, air conditioning, a balcony and a sea view(just about). They only serve snacks apart from breakfast but the breakfasts are wonderful. The stocks of fresh fruit, breadand rolls, cheese and cold meats and hot food are constantly being replenished even when the plates are still half full.
On one of our restaurant visits the ladies were given a bird of paradise flower, unfortunately there was nowhere really appropriate to store them. When we returned to our rooms later we found that the staff had found vases and a little extra foliage for them. That's the sort of touch that makes the difference. One of our co-residents had a birthday while we were there and was given sparkling wine with his breakfast.
We don't usually book with package companies but this holiday was something special so we may have to go through Thomson again.
Simply Wonderful
by TripAdvisor Member creepyLondon
What a gem of an hotel! It is situated in the old town with the cable car, marina and sea front, bus station, city centre and restaurants within easy walking distance. The personable owner, Mr Dias, was often in the hotel and made it his business to check that everyone was happy with the service they were receiving. His staff were extremely helpful - nothing was too much trouble. We booked through Thomson and had an extremely enjoyable week. The breakfasts were sumptious (self -service buffet) and for dinner (not available at the hotel) - we would recommend Le Jardin restaurant just a short walk away from the hotel back entrance. I believe the hotel does serve light snack lunches but we were out and about most days and found that the breakfasts kept us going until dinner time!
Our 3rd floor room was clean and spacious. We felt the premium we paid for a sea view was well worth the money. The hotel front entrance is down a steep slope down which the transfer minibuses do not seem to come so worth checking with the hotel/tour operator if you would require assistance to get your luggage down to/up from the road on the day of arrival/departure. (Taxis did not seem to have the same problem) However, the very narrow gated back entrance has no similar incline so provides the perfect route out of the hotel for everyday use and the hotel has a very efficient lift.
We will be recommending the hotel to our friends!
A wonderful place for a long weekend in the sunshine!
by TripAdvisor Member Dooscooby
We stayed at this hotel for a 4 nights at the end of March 2008. We found the wplace on tripadvisor and booked directly with the hotel via email. The hotel staff were incredibly welcoming, but not over-bearing - they were pleasantly suprised to see a young couple staying there (we are 30!). Overall we loved the place. It's really conveniently located to get to the restaurants/main tourist attractions, the pool is lovely (it's cold, but they can't help that!), the hotel is also spotlessly clean and has a nice relaxed ambience. If you're bored of the usual local type restaurants in the main area, take a left out of the hotel gate and walk up the road until you get to a lovely restaurant called 'Riso'. It's a modern place ith a beautiful terrace overlooking the ocean.
Small and Friendly
by TripAdvisor Member blueandwhitehoops
We stayed at the Alberegaria Dias for one week in July. The room was very nicely furnished with a fridge that could be used for cooling your drinks. We booked directly with the hotel and our room was No. 402 which was at the top of the hotel and is very large with a large balcony with table and chairs and sun loungers and has a spectacular view overlooking the bay. Our only criticism was that the beds were hard. Everything else was fine clean towels every day clean sheets etc. The pool area is quite small but seemed adequate for the number of guests that are staying here. The breakfast is extremely good very fresh and plenty of it there is a hot and cold buffet. The bar closed around 11ish so entertainment is low key and as most of the guests disappeared to bed around 9.30 it was very quiet. We met up with another couple who did not seem to want to go to be at 9.30 and we spent some evenings with them having a few drinks. Thaks for your company Steve and Eileen. If you want more entertainment you will probably better off staying in one of the 5 star hotels in the hotel zone but if you want a truly relaxing peaceful holiday where most things are low key then this hotel is definitely for you.
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