Loved the Monumental Lido Hotel Funchal
by TripAdvisor Member henrymar
My husband and I have just returned after staying at this hotel for a fortnight. What a wonderful relaxing and peaceful resort Funchal is. The staff at the hotel were extremely helpful and courteous and the choice of food was excellent. There is some building work going on next door to the hotel, but this did not detract from our enjoyment of the excellent facilities the hotel provides. We would recommend spending some time in the indoor pool and jacuzzi when the heat is too much outside. The rooms are perfectly adequate and clean and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. We intended this holiday to be a one off, but would definitely return to both Funchal and this hotel.
Sun, sea and hills! Bliss
by TripAdvisor Member nalajoy
Have just returned from a week at Monumental Lido. Hotel was in a great location so that you could wander into some shops, down to the Lido or explore the island.
The food was always delicious but not a lot of choice - sald bar, then a couple of choices of meat, alongside a choice of potato, rice or sometimes pasta. The desserts always included fruit salad and ice cream along with gateaux or similar. We enjoyed it but would have struggled with our teenage son. Nearby are many places for cheap food for lunch.
Pool was really clean as was all the hotel. the bar entertainment was tasteful.
It is well worth looking at the rest of the island either with an excursion or in your own car. The scenery is beautiful and surprising.
Altogether an excellent week and very good value for money.
worth the money
by TripAdvisor Member jules89
just returned 13th august 2007from our 1st visit to Madeira,staying at the monumental Lido hotel. This hotel is worth the money we paid with first choice booking on line. Looking at the prices of the other posh hotels we had half board for less than bed and breakfast,and we had no complaints with the food or the hotel.Building work is going on next to pool area and it very disruptive to sun bathers relaxing round the pool. many people made complaints but we were warned before we went. As there was so much to do we were only round the pool for short periods of time and that was enough to be put off.Hopefully it will not stop you going as it is such a nice easy going, clean ,safe and friendly resort and hotel.
Excellent Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member Andlid
We stayed in the Monumental Lido Hotel in May. We were in a self catering studio which were very new. The only complaint we had was that they did not provide a Kettle, only a coffee perculator. Apart from that all the facilities were excellent, It was an immaculate hotel, they were very clean. The new indoor pool and Jacuzzi were lovely. We were advised there could be noise as there was building works just opposite us, but we heard nothing when we were there. The reception staff were always helpful, as were the staff that cleaned our room so thoroughly.
Although we didn't eat at the hotel other guests said the food was good. We ate at Moby Dicks,and Sun City both did lovely sea food. The steak cooked on stone at the Solar Da Ajuda just round the corner was good also. The Paradise which overlooked the sea was a lovely spot but poor service.
This was our first visit to Madeira and couldnt have picked a nicer hotel.
Perfect hotel for a relaxing holdiay
by TripAdvisor Member donlonbe
Stayed at Monumental Lido in July 2007.
From the first entrance to the last exit this hotel was perfect.
We stayed self catering in spotless accomodation on the second floor with our nine year old son who despite the fact that there was a sofa bed in the living area had a proper single bed for himself with a full size television in the living area and a portable in the bedroom area. The kitchen was adequate for our needs but if you wanted to stay fully self catering it would not really be good enough. It had a two ring cooker and a microwave/grill which i was not going to try to figure out on holidays. the only real problem was that while there was a proper size fridge with an ice box compartment the room was supplied with electricty which only worked when you had the room key card in the slot hence when you left the room the electricty went off i.e. the fridge. this was fine becasue we stayed by the pool most of the time and were up and down to the room a lot however if you were going on long day trips it could be a problem.
The one thing i loved about this hotel was the fact that it was kept immacutely clean at all times no matter where you looked someone was cleaning hovering washing or shining. The staff were friendly and helpful at all times remembering you name despite the fact the hotel was full, nothing was too much from any of them especially when you consider the staff who were serving in the poolside bar./restaruant at 11 in the morning were most likely to be serving in the "Awards" bar at 11 at night which incidentally was packed every night for the entertainment shows which tells how good the performers were (the nightly singers were not great however the shows which went on along side were excellent) The other thing which impressed about this hotel is the fact that there are table tennis tables, pool tables etc for the children to use absoultely free and no deposit requested for the use of anything. Having been victim to the please can i have money for the machine mantra to many time this was excellant. darts competion run twice weekly and on one of the days the lady who won was a non darts player it was simply played as better the previous score and several bottles of wine were given as presents. again no charge to play.
outside the hotel there were dozens of restaruants to eat in depending on you taste everything could be catered to with very cheap food there was really no point in cooking and the wine was very cheap at about seven euro for a bottle in most restaurants. it was about a ten minute walk to the large shopping centre and about a twenty minute walk to the town centre but with buses runnning very efficently and about 1euro 60 it was easy to take the easy option. There were not many of the tourist type shops you associate with resorts yet you could spend hours browsing around the city.
We went to small fruit and flower market in the city centre where you can sample all sorts of exotic fruit with no need to buy however they are delicious and you probaly will buy. We also went up the mountain on the cable car which was a first and a great experience. At the top are the tropical gardens and Monte Palace which were beautiful. You cant go into the palace however the gardens are a loverly place to see especially on a very hot day it nice and cool up there. you can purchase a ticket for the gardens with the cable car cost or just buy it at the top its very little difference but well worth the trip.
All in all we had a very relaxing break at the monumental lido with simply going in to the city and up the mountain on the cable car. but there were plenty of trips to be had around the island which i am told can be hair raising as the roads are very narrow and steep once you go outside the capital. One thing i would definatley recommend you do in this hotel is try the spa, both myself and my husband a massage while we were there at a cost of only 60 euors for the two of us!!! the best massage i ever had i just wanted to lie on that bed forever. definately to be tried with various baths, showers, jazucci, and turkish baths, not to be missed.
Just to note this hotel had a quite a lot of older people and couples staying and apparantly children comming to his hotel is quite a new thing but there did not appear to be a problem my son is nine and he had a great time here with plently of children his age to play with in the pool and games room (ps there is also a small children play room).
So definately the place to go and did i mention for two adults and one child flying from Dublin in July it only cost 1200 euro
"At this price level the hotel can only be described as excellent"
by TripAdvisor Member royuk_7
We have recently returned from a two week stay in Madeira, and would like to add our review.
We stayed at the Hotel Monumental Lido for the first two weeks in July, on a half board basis. We booked via a direct sell company in the UK. Booking before 28th Feb and paying the broucher price we received 14 nights for the price of 11 plus a free up-grade to a seaview twin. Mindful that the restaurant, swimming pools, sun-terraces etc are on the 4th level, we requested a room on 7,8,or 9. and received a twin on the 7th with an excellent sea view. We had a choice of flights, BA etc, but opted for First Choice from Gatwick and we arrived at the hotel before midday and left the hotel at 9am on our departure, so excellent times. Portugal keeps the same time as the UK so no problems with that.
We paid a total of £599 each which included meals on the aircraft and local tranfers by mini-bus, and we obtained insurance for around £15 on the Internet.
The hotel room was fine with two single beds pushed together, and adequate lighting. There was also a soft armchair and a stool under the wooden dressing/worktop surface. A TV sat on this with a number of cable channels, not many in English.
The room had plenty of wardrobe space and hangers plus a safe which cost 25 euros for two weeks. The bathroom had a basic shower above the bath which worked fine, plus the usual bidet, and hairdryer. A few basic things like hand soap were supplied but no bathrobes or slippers etc. There was a system for changing the towels, but the maid was excellent and seemed to change the towels and sheets every day no matter how you left them. They also supplied towels for the pool and sun-beds, these were changed weekly. The air-con wasn't the best and seemed to come and go at times, but Madeira doesn't normally get too baking hot so this wasn't a big problem.
The room lacked tea and coffee making facilities but this is not unusual. We purchased a travel kettle some years ago and always take this and a supply of tea bags and coffee. The room also boasted a mini-bar type fridge which was empty, so ideal for your own wine and beers from the supermarket. There was also an ice machine on the 7th floor for your own use.
We noticed that some previous reviewers had an issue with the food / restaurant service. My wife and I have stayed in a number of hotels in different European countries, and at this price level we had no complaints at all about the food or service, it was excellent.
Buffet dining is very informal and 'do it yourself', the guests are constantly up and down, walking around the room getting this and that, the staff are just there to tidy and clear away, and to serve drinks as requested. It is not their job to, and they do not have the time to keep tabs on who is on what course etc. So yes they will clear away your partners plate before you have finished yours, they are very efficient.
There is a hot and cold buffet at breakfast and evening dinner, with all the usual suspects at breakfast, plus a glass of fizzy wine if you are inclined at that hour. Perhaps a bucks fizz! The evening service included: Soup, salad bar, hot buffet with fish, meat, and pasta dishes, plus plenty of fresh vegetables, potato dishes, and sometimes rice. Followed by a selection of cold desserts, fresh fruit, ice cream etc, coffee, tea.....Problem is you eat far too much! T
he first week we regulary ate 5 courses plus coffee! The dishes included sea bass, sea bream, tuna steaks, roast sirlion of beef, lamb chops, pork fillet etc. The local black scabbard fish with fried banana was particulary tasty. The hotel also offered a facility to exchange dinner for lunch in the restaurant, you just let them know the evening before.
Summing up, this is not a posh buffet with ice carvings and ceremoniously displayed sword fish, you pay for those gimics. But well cooked tasty food that never runs out. We spoke to a number of people, some return guests and everybody seemed very pleased with the food and service.
One morning at breakfast it was particulary busy, and I noted with approval that the general manager was eating in the restaurant and making his presence felt, keeping the staff on their toes.
The drinks in the hotel are very reasonable as well, 6 euros 20 for a bottle of house white, 2.80 for a large beer. The main bar operates a happy hour between 6.30 and 8, ideal for a pre-dinner drink. 1 euro 70 for a large beer and a range of cocktails for 3 euros.
We found the location ideal, 30-40 mins walk downhill into Funchal, initially along the main road then into the beautiful park and onto the marina, and get the bus or taxi back. It is cheaper to buy tickets in advance, 1.60 valid for 2 journeys or 1.40 for 1 journey if you pay on the bus. Joe's a small supermarket up the hill to the left of the hotel sells them. There are 3 or 4 small supermarkets/booze ciggie shops a few mins from the hotel, and a much larger supermarket down the hill towards the lido.
We normally hire a car but this time booked a tour each week with Strawberry World, right next to the hotel. Best of the East and Best of the West cost 29 euros each, the coach was large with lots of leg room and the guide Ana was excellent. Your tour company will also do the same but I think at around 42 euros. There are much cheaper trips by mini-bus at 30 euros for two people including morning coffee and cakes plus a three course lunch with drinks! These are sold by the 'information centres' you see on the way down to Funchal, but we enquired and found that they are affiliated to time-share companies, so I guess you might get a presentation over lunch or some thing like that.
We did the Nun's Valley ourselves on the 81 bus from Funchal, 2.60 single, very easy, very beautiful!
Madeira is excellent, it is not a bucket and spade sort of place, just a few scrubby black beaches, but plenty of water opportunities in the salt water lidos etc, and not perhaps for party animals who want to dance the night away. But for families and couples / groups I would strongly recommend it.
I would also strongly recommend the Hotel Monumental Lido.
Forum Posts
Hotel Dorisol Mimosa or Monumental Lido?
by ciao_bambino
I am trying to find a decent hotel and wondered if anyone had any suggestions? I am looking at the hotel Dorisol Mimosa, has anyone stayed here? Is it nice,clean ect...??
Or is the hotel Monumental Lido a better option? Ive found the Monumental Lido for around £70 more is it worth paying this extra to stay there or are the two hotels similar? Please help, Thank you.
Re: Hotel Dorisol Mimosa or Monumental Lido?
by Torgut
Considering Euro is our currency, perhaps it would be polite to place your question in another way....
Re: Hotel Dorisol Mimosa or Monumental Lido?
by ciao_bambino
Im not just aiming my question at people who live in Madeira, im aiming it at all the guests who may have stayed there from other countries also and considering the currency is different all across the world I cant convert it for everyone.. Besides the euro and pound are pretty similar these days!!
If anyone can help on my question that would be great, thanks.
Re: Hotel Dorisol Mimosa or Monumental Lido?
by indian3summer
Mimosa is about 10 minutes walk uphill from Monumental Lido. It is located on a hill together with two other Dorisol Hotels, with shared facilities. Personally I would recommend Monumental Lido, it is on the main through road to the city and has bus stops and taxis close by, as well as many very good eating places.
This is the website address
www.monumentallidomadeira.com
www.dorisol.com
Re: Hotel Dorisol Mimosa or Monumental Lido?
by madmara1966
The hotels are quite similar and yet most people prefer the Monumental. They are both situated in the same area but the Monumental is best situated for everything. Have a look at this funchal map: http://www.madeira-seekers.com/FunchalMap.html . Monumental Lido is number 19 on D9. I personally would pay the extra €70.
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