Carlton Palms

We have stayed at this five star resort at least five times. It's ideal for children (ours love it) and there aren't normally too many there! In addition to everything mentioned in the resort description… Everyone is so friendly. The staff there go the extra mile every time to help you. There’s a small dive school that operates from the hotel if anyone wants to try scuba. The bar at the quinta (the villa that’s been restored as the clubhouse) is staffed by world champion cocktail waiters. You sit in cane chairs in the beautiful garden outside this historic quinta and drink the best cocktails in the world!

It’s perfectly placed to get into Funchal. Don’t miss the mad ride down the hill from Monte in a wicker basket! If you don’t believe me, go to http://www.madeiratourism.org/ :o) A good day out is to take the cable car up to Monte from Funchal, visit the gardens and the Church, then take the toboggan back down into Funchal and have lunch in one of the great restaurants in the old quarter. The restaurant in the castle is well worth a visit.

Don’t miss the Madeira wine lodge in Funchal (Is he drinking again?) Go for a walk through the lava tunnels left by the old volcano – you’ll need to hire a car or take a trip for this, the resort will help you. Have a drink at the old Beatles yacht in the harbour, you sit at a table in a dinghy (it doesn’t move) with water all around you, throwing crumbs to the fish… The trout farm (eat the trout there, fantastic). Take a walk along the Levadas (water irrigation channels) – the resort has a guide who does terrific walks talking about life in Madeira and the plants. Some walks are easy, for others you’ll need walking boots. The views are out of this world!!

In short, don’t miss Madeira or this fantastic resort.