I have a Time Share at the Royal and both my wife and myself enjoy the hotel and have had superb service over the six years we have been visiting. We do not skimp and eat out and in the Royal as well as going "al fresco" on our balcony. I have to say the meals are somewhat on the pricey side, for example a simple toasted sandwhich can cost around 9 euros by the poolside yet walk a couple of hundred yards to the Red Lion and a similar meal will be around half the price. The Monday night Buffet is the best value in the hotel yet still costs 32 euros. The plus side is that now drinks (water and wine) are included. I love a good Cheeseboard and the Royal charges a whopping 12 euros for half a dozen grapes, some extrordinarily boring cheeses(4 types) accompanied by 3-4 cheese biscuits including of all things a Ryvita. Mediocrity can still be found in the 5star Royal. Do not hesitate to ask to speak to the Matre d, they will listen but whether they will change things is another matter. The bar is best described as "The Moon Bar", no atmosphere, and pricey. Better value meals can be had locally and there is a fantastic cake shop opposite Reids, Staff at the Royal Time Share office will tell you of good restaraunts nearby and will only give a personal reccomendation if they have dined there themselves so make use of them. In my experience all the staff at the Royal are excellent, I cannot fault them nor can I fault the Hotel...well...just a bit but I still intend to return, year after year after.....

We traded our Marriott time share for a week here and have generally been pleased. The room is spacious, with a separate living room area and efficiency kitchen. The pool area is as beautiful as the photos although the spa was not warm enough. Upkeep is generally good, although there are a few nicks, etc., that could benefit from repairs. The room is very clean, comfortable, and the bath is spacious, with marble and separate shower/tub combination. The hotel is very quiet this time of the year ... and perhaps also because of the economic situation. The guests that are here are mostly older folks from the UK but we came to tour the island ... not socialize with the other guests, so that's OK with us. The staff is helpful, but not overly friendly; the evening doorman though is a gem. The bar areas are quiet and not always open. There is no free internet which is a negative in my book. AT 10 Euro a day, its not even wireless. High tea at Reids was very chi-chi as was dinner at Vila Cipriana but both were very good. The best parts of this destination are the gardens and the western side of the island with scenery like I've never seen. Lots of uphill walking but well worth it.

Spent week at this rather dull if clean and tidy resort. Staff tried hard except the night porter who was positively rude! Five star maybe for Madeira but don't expect five star British service and exclusivity. Turned over mainly to fractional ownership with the result that most stay in rooms to eat, drink, etc. Accordingly, public areas bereft of any atmosphere and conviviality. Equivalent to good three star or average four star but very much five star prices. Money much better spent at Reid's.

Beautiful resort and hotel had everything you could wish for! my 1 year old had a great time as rooms were so spacious so he could run around lots.
Lovely spa area but gym is very small. obly about 4 exercise bikes and not much else
Hubby used sauna and said it was great but i never went so cant comment
Very lush and close by to everything
The playground was small but had everything in it to entertain a young child for hour or so