Just returned from our usual annual visit and and the only change, was the refurbished sitting room where we usually read the thoughtfully provided daily newspapers. The staff were once again superb and made our visit a pleasure.

My wife and I were not hotel guests - we only stopped in to see the hotel while on a cruise, to see if we might want to stay here in the future. Other reviewers spoke of poor treatment of cruise guests who come for tea, but this was far from the case for us. We were appropriately dressed for such a hotel, which I suppose had something to so with it and which may not have been the case with some of the other reviewers. People should at least TRY to look like they belong...
We were immediately greeted by a doorman who may have suspected we were just nosy snoopers but nevertheless he immediately showed us around the public spaces, where to go for a drink or snack on the portico, or to the buffet by the pool. These spaces still have the charm of a grand old hotel and the views are incomparable. We decided to have lunch on the portico and the service was impeccable, the food very good.
100% certain we will be back for a stay in the hotel.

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.