PortoBay Santa Maria

PortoBay Santa Maria is an adults-only hotel on Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirenses, beside the Zona Velha, the old town of Funchal, Madeira. The location places guests next to the restaurants of Rua de Santa Maria, with its painted doors and traditional taverns, and within a short walk of the Mercado dos Lavradores, the cathedral, the waterfront promenade and the cable car station that climbs to Monte. Funchal's airport is about 20 kilometres to the east. The hotel is part of the PortoBay group and is designed as a contemporary adult retreat in a historic district, giving a quieter alternative to the family-oriented resorts of the Lido zone. Its guest rating of about 4.7 in the data held for this guide places it among the higher-rated mid-range hotels in the city. Rooms are offered as rooms with balcony, suites and rooms with kitchenette, and all are air-conditioned with private balconies, so guests can take advantage of the mild climate and views over the old town and the harbour. Facilities include an outdoor pool, an indoor heated pool, a spa and a sauna, along with free wi-fi. The restaurant and bar serve breakfast and evening menus, while the surrounding Zona Velha offers a wide choice of independent restaurants for guests who prefer to dine out; typical local dishes include espetada (beef skewers on bay-laurel sticks), grilled limpets and bolo do caco bread. The adults-only policy gives the hotel a calm, couple-friendly character, and service is oriented to guests seeking relaxation combined with easy access to sightseeing. Excursion assistance covers levada walks, whale watching departures from the marina and wine-related visits. Because the old town is largely flat along the waterfront but steep behind it, many sights can be reached on foot, while trips to higher areas are better done by taxi or cable car. The hotel suits couples and travellers who want to stay in the historic centre without children on site.