We stayed over the New Year period, changed rooms after the first night, found plastic sheet
inserts on the mattresses (!!), insects in the bathroom, poor service in the restaurant, shabby
facilities in need of upgrade and refurb, - this is far from 5 star, more like2 star.
The pics on the hotel web site are clearly old as is the hotel NOW!
Not worth the money and extremely dissapointing. In addition the Thomas Cook flight was
appalingly uncomfortable. Too many people on these flights-Holiday companies please learn.

I was staying at RP for two weeks on Nov 2011. Was tempted by its 5 stars, got dissapointed at that point. It really feels like 4 stars, but like 4 stars which need some good renovation. Well, it's clean, staff is nice and helpful, but smelly corridors, breakfasts which are totally average, dinners which are plenty of food but nothing special (it i just so easy to see what really tastes of madeiran food can be if You go anywhere outside), not-stable wifi accessably only at the lobby, quite dissapointing pools and lot of small less or more important details make this hotel a 4star at least and the hotel with its best days a bit ago. Tips: don't go for anything more than B&B, mind that only high floor rooms are with the views, but they are also viewing the pools and gardens so might be a bit noisy. If You're ok with average and nothing-but-ok service and accomodation, go for it. If you look for something special and a bit of luxury -
stay away.

I have used this hotel on and off over the past seven years and always enjoy my stay there.

The staff are invariably very friendly and attentive and give a general air of caring.

On a recent trip I noticed though that the hotel is beginning to look in need of a major face lift.

The reception furniture looks a little 'lived in' and it was particularly noticable that most of the carpets are very badly stained. Dirty marks on paint work, walls etc.

Overall the rooms are adequate and rooms serviced to a clean and tidy standard but I think that the place stands the chance of becoming dirty and rather 'lacking' if something isn't done to bring it back up to its previous standards.

Food is always good and the bar was not too over the top by UK standards.

I wouldn't let the slight critism put me off but I hope things are done before the place slips further.

Nice hotel but some rooms are showing their age. Service is very good, but bar priices are a little high. Courtesy bus needs to be booked both directions.