Canico, Royal Orchid Aparthotel Review

Overall Rating

Lovely hotel, professional and friendly staff, amazing location - the views are exquisite , rooms are generous in both size and appointments, comfortable beds, balconies are not overlooked, discreet and efficient maid service, lovely swimming pool, restaruant pleasant and tasty, sports facilities are very good, free bus into Funchal, discounts via hotel card, good bar and bar staff, locale is Madeiran not "touristic", hotel has sea bathing access also local beach (pebbles, Madeira only has one sandy beach!)

Nothing

The Royal Orchid Aparthotel is run efficiently by professional and friendly staff whose entire existence seem to be geared to ensuring you have a wonderful holiday. The views are exquisite - the Islas Desertas swim enticingly out to sea and the distant passing liners and shipping make for an occasional extra point of interest. Everywhere there is an air of discreet luxury. The rooms are generous in both size and appontments with comfortable beds, discreet and efficient maid service, a decent kitchen which is supplied with almost everything you could wish for on holiday. The balconies are not overlooked and privacy abounds. Even the lift gives one a wonderful view out to sea. The swimming pool is an elegant indoor to outdoors gently curving, refreshing dip with an attached "jacuzzi" so large I need to swim a couple of strokes across it. The sports facilities are very good. They are so good that I feel obliged to swim and exercise daily - this is not what I go on holiday for! The restaurant is good, and while it is possible to take meals in the adjoining Roca Mar hotel which has a wonderful restaurant we never felt the need. The hotel is jointly owned with the Roca Mar next door and there is a free bus to and from the capital Funchal many times a day. The surrounding area has many hotels but is definitely a Madeiran residential village and not a tourist trap. The local buses are frequent and clean. The shops are interesting, and there are many restaurants within easy walking distance. In all, I could not have wished for a better holiday.

Members' Comments onDdraigGoch's Review

• Ian Bassnett on 30th Jun 2004

  Whoever rated this review as -1, must be a typical Brit, as this hotel is just as Ddraig Goch has described it, or even better. We have been 3 times so far and found everything to our liking. It is quiet, friendly, exceptionally well-managed, not regimented, although trips are available. The resturant is well-run, with the availability of traditional dishes along with a menu to suit all tastes, and everywhere the hotel is kept in spotless condition. The staff we feel are now our friends. My daughter and granddughters were introduced last year and can't wait to return in August. The only point where one could find to criticise, would be that because of the character and formation of the Island which is Volcanic is that the area is rather hilly, but the hotel is built into the cliff edge, with wonderful sea views from all apartments.
  Incidentally I have to eat Gluten-Free food, and have been assisted very ably by the resturant, and have eaten exceptionally well every time, with confidence. Thanks to the manager and his team.