I absolutely loved my time at Residencial Mariazinha. It was the best place I stayed on my whole trip. The interior was tastefully decorated, with elegantly dark wood and curving staircases, and the room was quiet and peaceful. Everything was sparkling clean. The breakfast was also very good, with plenty of food to munch on while browsing maps for the day's adventure. The staff was also very cheerful and helpful, and the location central and yet calm. Would love to go back!

Our room was bright, airy and spotless, bathroom too, with a good powerful shower (albeit over the bath.) Staff were friendly.

More a guest house, where we didn't have reception staff fussing over us each time we entered and left (which we hate), but they were available if needed. The only downside for us was that there were no double beds - only singles pushed together. This is not an issue for many couples.

Fantastic location, right in the middle of the old town (but not noisy), with authentic restaurants and barson the doorstep - the other end of Funchal to the "Tourist Town" where the older generation of Northern European tourists reside.

We 40 Euros a night for a doubleroom, with breakfast - excellent value.

I walked in off the street to look at this hotel, as the studio I was staying in at the other end of town was very noisy, and after a week I needed some sleep!

Ligia, on the reception desk, was very welcoming, and I decided to stay. I had a quiet room at the back - no 9 - a little smaller than some of the others but very pleasant, clean and comfortable. All the staff here are really nice, especially the breakfast and cleaning staff - who seem to sing as they work.

Nothing to add to what others have said about the breakfasts - I found them OK. The terrace at the back became a favourite place for a last glass of something flavoursome before bed.

There are some very good places to eat nearby - my favourite is the Estrella do Mar, (turn left at the front door, right at the next junction, and it's on the left hand side - about 60yards.) I also like the little Italian place opposite the front door - not such great food, but lovely atmosphere and staff.

Definitely a place to go back to - so much better than the anonimity of the hotel district.

My wife and I have recently spent our third holiday in Madeira. This time we took the decision to stay in a Hotel in Madeira town itself instead of one of the large Hotels 2km out of town in the Hotel district.
We stayed at the Residencial Mariazinha in the Zohna Vehla (old town) a small 10 bedroom Hotel, bang in the centre of the old town and restaurant area. We booked the Hotel directly from their website, and had no problems at all. The Hotel staff, especially Ms Ligia Pinto were very cheerful and eager to help. I found the Mariazinha to be excellent value for money.
As we spend our days out walking the Levadas and mountains, our need is for a simple, clean, no frills accommodation with a good breakfast. A hotel with all facilities, pools, sports suites etc is all very well, but if they are not used, they are a waste of money. Certainly eating in a Hotel restaurant can vary greatly from excellent to awful, but a bed and breakfast enables you to get amongst the real restaurants and eat what the locals eat. What is the point of travelling hundreds of miles to another country and still eat the same English food.
The breakfast at the Mariazinha was wholly adequate with fruit, cereal, meat and cheese, yoghurts and wonderful bread and rolls, pastries from the Bakery right next door. There was no cooked food, the coffee was excellent, the tea – ask for more than one teabag in the pot!!
The rooms are larger than normal with high ceilings, a larger than average satellite TV and simply furnished. The small Hotel exits directly onto the street, the Rua de Santa Maria. This is one of the oldest streets in Funchal.
We sometimes found the noise at night and early morning to be a little intrusive but not enough to be a problem. There are no views from the rooms, but there is a small outside area and terrace.
There is also a small bar.
The biggest bonus was the position of the Hotel, the best restaurants were literally on the doorstep, the Cable car to Monte was about 5 min away and the town centre and harbour was only 10 min flat walk away.