We stayed at Reids in the summer and enjoyed a week of complete relaxation and excellent service. We stayed in a charming room which is their most basic room and we found it to be excellent, we had a small balcony with a lovely view and the room was perfectly comfortable and if we return to the hotel we would opt for the same style of room

The breakfast was probably the best we have ever experienced and we also enjoyed several excellent dinners in the hotel. We had afternoon tea on the terrace which is an experience not to be missed.

We loved the style of the hotel with its different levels, slightly faded grandeur, beautiful gardens and old fashioned service.

Just returned from a week at Reid's. Not our first time in Funchal (have visited several times via cruise ships) but our first stay in this very pretty island town.
Imagine Edwardian glamour, a large helping of Britishness, beautifully maintained gardens, fabulous pool area, a little stuffiness perhaps (fellow guests rather than the hotel); peace and tranquility - all atop a rocky promentary with superb views over Funchal night and day. Reid's has it all.
We booked a 'Classic' room but were upgraded to 'Deluxe' on the 4th floor. Perfect, with a lovely balcony (but choose a higher floor to take full advantage of the island views). Good amenities throughout and complimentary soft drinks in the mini-bar.
Not much else 'complimentary' however - prices for drink and food are expensive (c£120 for 2 courses x 2 in Les Faunes restaurant with a couple of glasses of wine; £16 for a beer and a G&T) - but food quality and presentation is good and service first class. A twice weekly 'gala' event in the main dining room was particularly glamorous (collar and tie required).
As an alternative, the main town is a 15 minute walk (but steeply uphill on the return so a taxi makes sense) - with an excellent choice of restaurants covering every cuisine, particularly in 'old' Funchal. Riso the rice and risotto restaurant is definitely worth a visit.
At this time of year (January) the weather is in the warm high 60's - so very pleasant.
If you're looking for for a touch of style, tradition and quality - and don't mind paying a bit more for it, you'd be hard pressed to find better than Reid's Palace. We're already planning a return trip.

From the street outside the dirty pink building makes impression of cheap hostel. Inside, however, halls are decorated with nice furniture and pictures of famous visitors to make you feel you are among those important persons. Receptionists are different, some helpful, some not at all.
To find your room, breakfest/lunch restaurant and swimming pool, you need a good guide - plenty of corridors, lifts, underground levels.
Nice view from the room. Beds are too soft, I am slim but I dived into matress.
The worst is room service: missing towel, soap. We were very naive to think we are secure in 5star hotel and just left our bagage and bags in room not closed safe. We both were stolen pretty much money, most probably by room service. In the reception not much surprised about, and no help.
Breakfest & lunch buffet of big choice of food, quality OK but not much tasteful.

Time at Reids is always a delightful experience; we have lost count now of the number of visits, but every stay has featured common themes. Very attentive, charming and polite staff are one of the hallmarks of the hotel, the gardens are a delight, and a wonderful sense of relaxation settles over us as soon as we arrive in our room and look out over the gardens to the ocean. We have never detected a trace of 'stuffiness' amongst the staff or management.

We have stayed at many luxury hotels in the UK and Europe, and we are well aware of the things that can go wrong - but every stay at Reids has truly been a joy. If there are any minor issues, they are always quickly resolved by the efficient management. Yes, the hotel is expensive by comparison to some, but we have always considered the charges to be represent very good value for money in the context of the facilities and services provided.