Just back from 2 weeks in the CS Atlantic.Our room should have been side sea view but we were upgraded by the always friendly reception staff.Thomas Cook offer the side sea view rooms on the first 3 floors(which are below reception, which is on the 4th floor) and they are overlooking the garden area and over- shadowed by tall trees making them very dark,and either east or west facing, so only get the sun for a very short time each day.There are some sea facing rooms on these floors,at the very front of the hotel which would cost extra. All rooms from the 4th floor up face the sea and get the sun all day.
Our room was spacious and very comfortable.It was kept immaculately clean and it was very quiet,the sound on the television is restricted so no-one is disturbed by noise.The walls are well sound-proofed, there was a small child in the room next door whom we could only hear when we were on our balcony and the occupants had their balcony door open. The hotel is very modern , black leather/chrome/etc.. and lots of glass.Not a claustrophobic cluttered hotel.Plenty of quiet corners both inside and out.Breakfast buffet was excellent, I could not think of anything that was missing, there was always something to satisfy everyone.We were greeted most days as we entered by senior staff members and the breakfast staff could not have done any more, all are a credit to this hotel.Our coffee pot was replenished with a smile as was the jug of hot milk that accompanied it.It is ideally located.20 minutes downhill walk to Funchal centre and almost adjacent to the Lido, where you can join the 'Nordic Walk' ...2 km on level ground with lots of benches on which to rest and take in the views over immaculate gardens to the sea.
We had a few really excellent meals in the Mamma Mia, the hotel's Italian Restaurant which is directly in front of the main reception, this building also incorporates the large gym which has classes and equipment to suit all, there is a smaller gym in the main part of the hotel.There is also a self-service launderette on the 3rd floor.There are several snooker tables and a very small putting green ( how they got 18 holes on it is amazing!!!)With sun loungers galore by the pools and benches in the gardens to soak up the sun, we sat for hours without ever being disturbed.....a perfect holiday in a great hotel ......we will definitely return.
Having seen the comments re internet provision, I understand they are installing free Wi-fi in public areas of the hotel shortly.I really do think all 5* hotels should offer it foc these days...I used the very efficient Madeira Wi-fi, provided foc by the government in lots and lots of public areas of Funchal and in the Dolce Vita and Forum shopping centres.

Have just returned from a week at the hotel - warm greeting on arrival with very good reception staff - room well equipped (had booked a suite which was very nice but disappointing that there is no seperate shower cubicle, is just over the bath) The evening buffet was really not up to scratch with both of us being vegetarian there was VERY little choice - most evenings it was some form of pasta and on one evening there was not even a vegetarian option. It would also have been useful to know if soup etc was vegetarian. The staff were all very good

Great to see pool area had been resurfaced so much easier to walk on. Hotel is as nice as last visit with the added bonus of having a nice Italian restaurant to eat in just in front of main door of hotel. Hotel staff just as welcoming as last time with a few actually remembering myself and my wife from our first visit there.
The only slight negitive is the themed buffet still disappionting not from cost perspective. It's not up to general standard of hotel.
However plenty of nice restaurant's in the general area if you don't want to dine Italian in hotel.

We went to CS 24 october 2011 to stay for a week.. We were so looking foreward to the stay and have ordered the best room with the sea view and it was all so wonderful. Unfortunately my husbond got sick 26. oct. and we had to call the doctor ( who is brilliant) and the next day went to the hospital. The rest of our holiday we spent in the room with room service. However we would like to say thank you cause all the staff was so helpful and caring and a special thanks to Claudia who cared so much that I cried every time I saw her.
We do hope to come back in a year or two, when my husbond is better and will so much like to stay at this hotel again. It is nice to know that you can get help when you need it.