The Eden Mar hotel is located at the Lido area of Funchal and is part of the Porto Bay group. We stayed for the first week of November in a junior suite at this aparthotel and had a wonderful week of very welcome sunshine.
Madeira is a great destination for winter sun with average temperatures in the high teens or low twenties. It is very hilly and many of the pavements are cobbled so it may not be suitable for wheelchair users. Stout shoes are definitely recommended.
Our junior suite was well-equipped with a small kitchen area with fridge, microwave, 2 ring hob, sink and all you need to cook and serve meals. There was a lounge area with armchairs and tv with a variety of international channels including Sky and BBC news, BBC entertainment channel but not the 4 main UK channels. The bedroom was very large and comfortable with lovely bedding and ample storage. The bathroom was a good size with bath and excellent shower over it and a full collection of Rituals toiletries. The hotel facilities are shared with the Porto Mare hotel and The Residence apartments and include 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools, spa facilities, 3 restaurants and 2 bars. We have been to the hotel many times and the pools are never busy, there are a lot of sun beds set among the tropical gardens.
While we were there we ate at a few local restaurants including Leeno’s, Il Basilico and TapasY Copos and can recommend all of these for good quality, tasty food and good service.
There is a local bus service from the front of the hotel into the centre of Funchal and another bus to the famous Monte Gardens.
Staff at the hotel are always polite and helpful and the people of Madeira are very welcoming. We are due to go back next April and we can’t wait.
