I don’t get excited about hotels generally but I’m making an exception here. This is an outstanding hotel in every respect. Small enough to feel utterly personal, its biggest asset is its staff - from the moment of arrival at reception through housekeeping, the restaurant, courtesy bus, every single person we met was friendly, courteous, totally professional and helpful including a fund of hints and tips on Funchal and on tour options. We just felt so special and we know they treated everyone just as well. The other key to any hotel is the bedroom - ours was generously sized and with a lovely view over the garden, so quiet at night and a comfortable bed all ensured a great night’s sleep. Everything was spotlessly clean. The breakfast was generous, and nicely presented. The half board dinners were varied, tasty and exquisitely presented. Oh, and the wine list of Portuguese and Madeiran wines was very good and fairly priced. The gardens equalled any of the major tourist ones, full of colour from and some real specimens from around the world, and the warm outdoor swimming pool was in this glorious setting. All in all it’s hard to remember a hotel that equals this one in all our years of travel. We just have to return.