We went here after looking for a value for money hotel as there were quite a few people with differing budgets going on this holiday. This place offers travellers fabulous value for money, some iffy reveiws on here almost put us off but we are glad we were not. The staff are brilliant and the views from the ocean view balconies are great. The place does look a little bit tired and in need of a lick of paint here and there but so what! You do need to hire a car though if you are to stay in Sao Vicente as there will not be enough to keep you busy all day every day, the little town of Sao Vicente is very quaint and beautiful. There are cafes and restaurants in the town and also on the sea front, all are very very good and superb value (6 euros for a good steak) and large beers for 2-3 euros (these are 5 euros in the hotel!), one place that was a great place to eat in the evening was Praia Mar on the seafront. So apart from higher beer prices the hotel is great and worth a stay. During our week stay we drove pretty much around the whole island which is so worth doing as Madeira is a very beautiful place.

I have recently returned from a week's holiday to Estalagem. I was under the impression that I booked a four star, all inclusive holiday. Whilst this was probably the case some twenty years ago, it is now a two star at best.
Estalagem Do Mar sits at the north of the island which is much cooler than the south (Fungal etc). The weather was wet, windy and grey, but picturesque, with the crashing waves against the black rock- stunning. Whilst weather is never guaranteed when you are abroad, at least in most hotels or resorts there are indoor activities to entertain you. Unfortunately, Estalagem had an antiquated pool area with dried on rust on the floor, the bottom of the pool had dark stain- not sure what that was. The table tennis area had low lighting and the gym was reported to me as being almost non –existent. Throughout the week there was no entertainment and limited resources in the bar area. There was nothing specifically for children of any age.

The food was pretty much local dishes, but tasty with limited choice. The staff were nice, friendly and helpful. There is virtually no information about local attractions. The local area was bleak, grey and desolate, feeling ghost like or void people and atmosphere. The Caves (a twenty minute walk away makes up for it), a visit or two to fungal or anywhere south of the island is a must, providing, character, entertainment and above all (surprisingly) very good weather.

Whilst staying at Estalagem I resigned myself to the fact that there were limited alternative options for my daughter and I. Once I did that, I allowed myself to rest, sleep and to do nothing, which I needed to do; I returned home feeling rested.

For those of you who have already booked, especially families with children, consider hiring a car, bringing a range of entertainment resources such as, toys for the pool, bat/ball, portable DVD player etc (a saving grace for me).

I will not be returning to Estalagem or that region, however, Fungal was fab (especially the weather, cable cars, shopping and the tour buses). I will endeavour to explore the south of the Island at some point.

Paula

Before I went to this Hotel, I was reading the TA reviews and got a bit confused. Decided to risk and check if it was how bad as people mention here. Funny to see that the hotel matched my expectations and at the end I had a lovely stat with them. Being an experienced traveller, gives me, a good rating sense to qualify hotels and to this Hotel I give a positive note! it is not a 5 star (far from that), yet with its cosy ambience and scenery views you almost feel at home...
Setting of the hotel is fantastic with the mountains and ocean view, ideal for nature lovers and active people. Location is smart, having a bus stop just in front of the hotel with buses to Santana, Porto Moniz, Funchal... Even the hotel has a minibus that takes the clients to Funchal and other places. Estalagem do Mar staff is very very nice. Everybody speaks fluent english and they are like the majority of the locals, very warm and friendly. Hotel is not a new hotel, yet it is clean and confortable. stayed in a renewed room with a SUPERB view to the ocean. Food was ok, specially at the dinners with the buffet choices. Facilities of the hotel are as well more than enough, with indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi being used all the time by my kids.
Overall enjoyed, and when we do the final calculations, hotel was a bargain compared to the average rates of Madeira Hotels.

Definitely not 4 star. The north of the island is pretty but limited sun and hence nothing to do when there is constant cloud. Everything about the place is dated. The food is appalling and bland - plan to eat out. We asked about the advertised 'brunch' and were told to go to the bar where we could get a biscuit. Afternoon tea was also just a biscuit.
We checked out early and moved to Funchal - the receptionist did not even ask why we were going!!!