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Hotel Escola

Name: Hotel Escola
Address: Travessa Dos Piornais, Sao Martinho, Funchal, PT

★★★★·8.4/ 10Recommended

·Hotels

📍Travessa Dos Piornais, Sao Martinho · Funchal ↗

📞00351291700386·Official site ↗

Check-in 02:00 PM / out 12:00 PM

Offsite parking discounted rates availableSwimming poolLift / ElevatorSafety deposit boxFax/photocopyingIroning serviceAll 34 facilities +

Review

Official

This modern hotel run by a hotel school is situated in a slightly elevated position with fantastic views to the Atlantic Ocean, only 3 km outside of Funchal and close to Formosa Beach. The Madeira Casino is 3 km away, Frederico de Freitas Museum can be reached within 5 minutes by car. The hotel features 20 rooms, 24-hours reception, meeting room, free WIFI in public areas, restaurant, outdoor pool, car hire and free on-site parking. Wheelchair accessible.

Guest scores & sentiment

From 297 guest reviews · multi-source · as of 2026-07-10

Guests praise friendly staff, spacious clean rooms, and sea views. Key complaints include outdated facilities, peeling pool tiles, AC failures, uncomfortable mattresses, and basic breakfast options.

Dimension scores · cross-source

Service9.1

Value8.8

Cleanliness8.8

Rooms8.0

Surroundings8.0

Location7.8

Facilities7.8

＋ PraisedFriendly and attentive staff · Spacious rooms with great views · Convenient parking · Quiet and comfortable environment

－ ComplaintsAging and worn-out facilities · Broken or missing air conditioning · Poor pool maintenance · Limited breakfast variety

KEYSuitable for those valuing service/views over luxury. Bring tea/coffee gear, check AC, and consider pool condition.

FAQ · grounded in hotel data & reviews

locationIs the hotel location and transportation convenient?＋

Rated 7.8 for location, guests find parking convenient and the property bicycle-friendly. Car hire assistance is available, though some note it isn't in the absolute city center.

diningHow are the breakfast and dining options?＋

The restaurant offers à la carte breakfast and international dishes with fresh ingredients praised by guests. However, some find the variety limited and basic, so those with high culinary expectations should manage their expectations.

coupleIs the experience good for couples?＋

Highly suitable for couples. Among 183 couple travelers, guests highly praised the sea-view balconies, spacious clean rooms, and professional staff. Convenient parking is a plus, despite slightly dated facilities.

businessIs it suitable for business travel?＋

Basically suitable. It offers free wired internet, laundry services, and invoices for basic work needs. However, limited front desk hours and occasional AC failures in older facilities may affect efficiency and rest.

familyWhat should I note when staying with children?＋

Children are allowed, and the pool has safety fencing. However, family guests noted severe facility aging, such as peeling pool tiles and worn furniture, along with hygiene concerns, so parents should inspect rooms carefully.

roomHow are the room facilities and comfort?＋

Rooms score 8.0, known for being spacious, clean, and having sea-view balconies. Major complaints include outdated facilities, uncomfortable mattresses, and AC failures, which significantly impact sleep quality.

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Nearby & map

DiningSights

Il Gallo d'Oro

mediterranean · ★★ Michelin

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They say that Madeira, the “Pearl of the Atlantic,” is paradise on Earth; we cannot guarantee that, but… dining here is like being in Eden! French chef Benoît Sinthon champions a fresh, flavourful, creative cuisine that celebrates local flavours (From Our Seas, Traditions, Homage to the Atlantic, From the Valley to the Mountain...) by reviving old recipes, reinterpreting them with modern techniques, and using products that underpin his commitment to sustainability (many are organic, from the PortoBay garden). They offer two tasting menus: Terroir Experience (which highlights the island’s own i

2.1km

William

Contemporary · ★ Michelin

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Are you looking for an exclusive gastronomic venue on the charming island of Madeira? This could be the perfect choice! Located in the luxurious Belmond Reid’s Palace, this restaurant offers you one of the most breathtaking views of Funchal’s coastline. Its name pays homage to the legendary William Reid, the Scottish dreamer who began building the hotel more than a century ago. The proposal focuses on two tasting menus (William and Discovery) that showcase local ingredients and pair them with modern techniques in a classic, elegant setting. Dishes such as Atlantic fish served with a tasty cele

2.3km

Desarma

Contemporary · ★ Michelin

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Chef Octávio Freitas has shown that it is possible to turn your dreams into reality here on the terrace of The Views Baía hotel, where the dining experience is matched by truly superb views, particularly from the sofas on the patio and once night starts to fall.In this attractive space, featuring an impressive open kitchen and an original interior design that is inspired by a banana plant, the cuisine has a strong local DNA showcased via typical “petiscos” from the island prepared with a contemporary touch. These are complemented by a whole host of accompaniments that, wherever possible, are p

2.7km

Horta

Vegetarian

€€

This restaurant, which also belongs to the PortoBay group, focuses on a concept of healthy, comfort food. It offers a dining experience centred on a strong emphasis on local and seasonal ingredients, with fresh produce taking centre stage. The interior features a bright décor, with natural touches that blend perfectly with the wooden furniture and warm lighting; outside, the discreet and pleasant terrace blends seamlessly into the surrounding greenery. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes, such as Baba Ganoush Hummus served with pickled onions and sesame crisps; however,

1.5km

Avista

fusion portuguese-japanese

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It is located in the fabulous Cliff Bay hotel! This restaurant, like its older “sibling” — the two‑Michelin‑starred Il Gallo d’Oro — enjoys truly spectacular views, with the immensity of the coast and the Atlantic as its backdrop. The menus, signed by chef Benoît Sinthon, are prepared daily by chef João Luz and, among a wide offer, include two tasting menus (Innovation and Vegetarian Innovation), à la carte options, vegetarian dishes, petiscos (Portuguese small plates) and even a children’s menu. The focus is seasonal Mediterranean cuisine and the concept of comfort food based on local ingredi

2.1km

Gazebo

Contemporary

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This restaurant, set on a beautiful Madeiran estate, realises the dream of Filipe Janeiro, who first made a name for himself as a private chef and today, with his family’s support, gives free rein to his personal vision of gastronomy. The concept, already unique in terms of space (the dining room, with the kitchen in full view, recovers an area formerly used for events), is expressed in a contemporary-style tasting menu, always based on island produce: North to South (6 courses) and East to West (9 courses).

2.4km

Audax

regional

€€

Located in one of the most dynamic leisure areas of Funchal, where there is plenty of competition and many alternative dining options, this restaurant stands out for its flavourful, tradition-filled offering. Inside, with a modern decor and a fully open kitchen, chef César Vieira offers a contemporary cuisine rooted in the island’s folklore, featuring a tasting menu with 3 or 4 courses at lunchtime and a more haute cuisine approach in the evening, where you can choose between 5 or 7 courses. An enticing dish? Their delicious Poncha and Coastal Prawn, which references the typical Poncha fisherm

2.6km

Vila do Peixe

regional, seafood

€€

An ideal lunch or dinner option for visitors given its location in the upper section of the old town (opposite the municipal market) and its huge windows boasting superb views of both the bay and the ocean. If you’re looking for authentic maritime-inspired cooking and fresh fish caught the same day you won’t find a better option, as guests can choose the piece of fish they want to eat as if they were in the market; the fish is then weighed in front of you and cooked immediately on the grill. Typical dishes well worth sampling, if available, are the popular limpets and sea snails.

2.6km

Click a row to locate it · distances are approximate. Data from Overture / Michelin / Wikidata.

Hotel Escola

Guest scores & sentiment

Room types · 4

Triple Room with Sea View

Double Room with Sea View

Double Room

Single Room

Facilities · 34

Nearby & map