Hotel Baía Azul

Hotel Baía Azul is a mid-range hotel at Rua da Quinta Calaça 1, in the Lido and São Martinho hotel zone of Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. It stands on the slope above the Atlantic in the western part of the city, a few kilometres from the old town, the Mercado dos Lavradores and the cable car to Monte, which visitors normally reach by taxi or bus. The Lido seafront and its promenade are the nearest walking destinations. The hotel is a conventional, facilities-led property rather than a boutique, and its appeal lies in the range of leisure amenities. These include three restaurants, a spa, two heated outdoor pools, a heated indoor pool, a gym and free wi-fi, with paid parking available. The indoor heated pool makes it a practical choice for winter stays, when outdoor swimming is cooler. Room types are single rooms, superior singles, double or twin rooms, superior doubles and triple rooms, which means solo travellers, couples and small groups are all catered for. Three restaurants allow a mix of buffet and à la carte meals without leaving the building, and half-board is a common way of booking in this part of Funchal. The spa adds treatment options for those who want a restful holiday. Service is that of a mid-sized resort hotel with a broad guest mix, and the rating of 4.6 suggests consistently good feedback. The surrounding streets contain supermarkets, cafes and further restaurants, and the hotel zone is well served by buses into the centre. Excursions to the levadas, Monte, Câmara de Lobos and the north coast can be arranged through local operators. The airport is around 20 to 25 minutes away by road, depending on traffic. As elsewhere in the hotel zone, the terrain is steep, so taxis are the easiest way to return from the old town in the evening.