The Vine Hotel

The design of the hotel is pretty unique. Rooftop terrace is tranquil, with jacuzzi spanning one length and pool the other. Downstairs, the spa area is a jet pool, steam room, sauna and rain shower which were well maintained. Very good selection at breakfast, staff were friendly and professional. Small touches like the turn-down service, personalised greeting and free minibar were very welcoming. I travelled on my own, but this was definitely targeted more towards couples.

TV has been overwritten to the hotel splash screen, which made it really difficult to use a normal TV guide - it also had someone else's name! I would get rid of this and keep the TV as normal - it was also quite small for the room. Terrace music could be heard from the bedroom. Some of the design decisions seemed to make more effort than sense: Bedside tables slide away with no room for storage, only one socket by the door, pebbles on the toilet floor must not be hygienic or easy to clean... It was stylish but I wasn't blown away given the awards it has won.

This was the third time we have stayed at The Vine. We choose it because it is a small hotel and because of its excellent location close to centre of Funchal. It has magnificent views of Funchal from the roof terrace.