Stayed at this hotel on a full board basis from 9th to 23rd january 2012. On arrival it is true to say you think you are entering a shopping centre but thats only because it does have a large centre alongside which it turns out is very handy..ON ARRIVAL WE WERE GIVEN ROOMS 1108 AND 1110. These turned out to be on the top floor and sea facing although the balcony wll was very high and you had to lean over to see out. Nonetheless they were fantastic rooms and well located. The rooms are spacious and bright and spotlessly clean with everything you would need for 2 weeks or more. The furnishings were of a good standard and well maintained. Maid service was outstanding possibly amongst the best ever in 42 years of going abroad. The hotel itself is attractively furnished and although the pool area doesnt look too great in pictures in real terms it is much more spacious than we imagined. Service throughout the hotel is faultless with all staff pulling together to make for great team work. The food at the hotel was really really good and very well cooked. A previous reviewer states that the eggs are all on top of each other at breakfast but they were so good they didnt last long to be lying around. The overall buffet was first class and we met some really great folk from all over the UK who all agreed on this. As we had full board which was part of a complimentary upgrade we dined in at lunchtime. This was from an a la carte menu and was just fantastic. WE COULDNT EAT IT ALL THOUGH AS THERE WAS SUCH A RANGE TO CHOOSE FROM AT BREAKFAST AND DINNER. But it was there if we wanted it. I have to say it was a marvellous holiday for what we paid and the added bonus of the bus stop right outside was brilliant too. Buy the multi journey tickets from the tobacconist in the shopping centre next door and you can top these up if and when you need more making your journey on all city routes jusr 1 euro including the marvellous 45 min journey to MONTE on the number 48 and all from your doorstep. It only takes 5 mins to funchal on the bus and they have a high frequency line on routes 1 and 2. All in all it was just really really great and we will without any doubt go back to this Hotel

The hotel is well placed and in easy walking of shops and buses.It is well cared for and spotlessly clean .Our chamber maid was a real worker and kept our room and bathroom very clean .She worked long hours and though she was very cheerful looked very tired.The room was comfortable and had a good view of the pool and sea.The dining hall was chaotic .Breakfasts were abysmal.The fried eggs seemed to be coated with a hard plasticy film and the scrambled egg seemed to be made from dried egg powder.The bacon was often rind only.Tomatoes were badly charred and even so empty dishes were left empty as guests waited food to exit the kitchen.Hoplessly understaffed.Guests had often to re lay their own tables and find cutlery.Dinner was repetative and good food over cooked.Why,when there is a fantastic farmers' market just down the road do they serve tinned vegetables and expect guests to eat burned carrots ? They may do well to get rid of the cook and employ a chef.Many guests who have stayed here in previous years spoke of the decline in the quality of the food.The nightly entertainment performed by the visiting local groups and dancers was excellent.It was impossible to talk in the bar against the ear splitting noise of the vocal performers .Complaints were made about the discomfort of this but to no avail.Many of the guests avoided this and went elsewhere.Having read the glowing reports of this hotel in earlier times I have to admit to being very disappointed with the quality of food, and efficiency in the dining room caused by shortage of staff.It is a shame, as overall this could be a first class hotel.Today I would not consider it to be a four star and will not return.

this hotel is superbly placed with excellent facilities and spotlessly clean. the hotel staff from room maid to general manager are cheerful and helpful. Entertainment in the evenings are what it says on the tin with a reasonably priced bar. Downside! good food spoilt by canteen style buffet dinners and poorly cooked breakfasts (rubber eggs,overcooked vegetables). Did it spoil our holiday? not really, but with a little thought about the food it would have been perfect for the money.

My wife and I have just returned from our stay at the Monumental Hotel but before I say anything about it I would like to report several conversations we had at the airport just prior to leaving and bear in mind, we did not know any of these people at all.
Most couples seemed to complain openly and with gusto about the way, they were treated by the staff of their Hotel, the lack of interest shown by their Travel Reps when they complained. Their accommodation in most cases got the OK, However, food was repetitive and the word poor in some cases were being polite. Incidentally, our travel Company Reps came out on top.
One Hotel advertised that they were on the flat but that did not tell them that they had to climb a hill to get there in the first place. The Island was considered fantastic but nearly all said they would not return in the near future.
In contrast, when we arrived at our (second home) Hotel we were greeted as if we were long lost family by the receptionist.
When we had settled in our room, we were visited by the Assistant Manageress, who eyed the room to make sure that the large bowl of fruit, the bottle of Madeira wine and the water was in place. The room was immaculate when we arrived. The smile on our friends face said it all, we had been expected.
The pool man ran up to our balcony the next day to greet us and give us a good weather report for the next two weeks and it was fantastic.
I can only say that the cleaning staff should be given new titles, Artists. The room was immaculate every day and we knew who she was by her signature of perfection just as it was the year before. This was confirmed by her big smile when we met her on our way to meet the friendly staff in the restaurant. By the way, the Fish dishes were fantastic every night.
After dinner, we made it to the bar just before the happy hour was to close. We nearly missed out on this because we were shaking hands with the staff for so long and catching up with old stories.
I think you have a picture now of our stay at our genuinely friendly Hotel. They act like a family, they all work together like a family and they are friends to many who return as we do every year.
To all our friends at the Monumental we give you our utmost respect and to the three musketeers. You know who you are.
Lots of love until next year. XXX
MikeM504