Stayed at Buganvilla Apartment Hotel for two weeks in September/October 2008.
Rooms badly in need of refurbishment but the hotel was very clean and the staff friendly and generally efficient.
Entertainment at night was poor in my opinion. The Gym was in need of some better exercise bikes, etc. though the trainer was helpful. The tennis court looked well maintained.
I found the room rather warm at night and with the patio door open sometimes a bit noisy (an errant restaurant burglar alarm three nights in a row and revellers/noisy motor bikes, though probably quieter than other hotels in Spain, etc).
Age group when we were there was firmly in the SAGA category and multinational.
Breakfast buffet was perfectly adequate but the coffee and fruit juice were amongst the worst I've tasted. Evening buffet was uninspiring though if you were hungry may be suitable.
The hotel courtesy bus was good but did not run on Sundays nor Public Holidays. Public buses and taxis were available cheaply and it was possible to easily walk into Funchal (35-40 mins though the return was uphill!)
Lots of eating places outside the hotel, but most of the restaurants absolutely destroyed the food! Vegetables completely overcooked, food seem to have been left in Bain-Maries for hours prior to serving. The Chinese Restaurant and the bottom of the hill, not far from the Lido was the best and most consistent. Unfortunately many of the restaurants insisted in having a Flat Screen TV, forcing diners to include football in their diet. Perhaps OK for a pub, but certainly not for a restaurant - such places best given a major body swerve!
I've never seen such a place for steep hills as Madeira. An excellent way to get fit.
In terms of things to do, Whale/Dolphin Watching, Swimming with Dolphins, Levada walks, Botanical Gardens and Blandy's Wine tour all worthwhile.
- Dorisol Buganvilia Funchal
