Estalagem Jardins do Lago Quinta da Achada... I believe that once you’ve stayed here, you will want to return and will wonder why you ever wanted to stay anywhere else on Madeira. It is such an elegant country house style with surroundings where you are truly treated as a house guest. The room was well-equipped and quite spacious in the modern building overlooking six acres of peaceful botanical gardens. The main public areas of hotel, bar, breakfast and dining rooms are in the old house. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy their outstanding breakfast buffet outside on the breakfast terrace. We had superlative service from such a charmingly efficient staff. The high Standard of catering was exceptional and the best we found in Funchal or anything else in Madeira for that matter. The Hotel is situated on a hill about 1 mile out of the center of Funchal with extensive views both out to sea and towards the mountains and well clear of the tourist hotel zone, if you know what I mean!. It was a good 15 minute walk downhill into town, but you might want to get the hotel minibus or a taxi back… about a 30-40 degree incline coming back up! A good range of well-maintained leisure facilities within the grounds including a pool-side bar/bistro for lunch drinks etc. If you visit, don't forget to say hello to “Colombo” the Quinta's longest-serving resident - a giant Galapagos tortoise.