Canico, Royal Orchid Aparthotel

Cleanliness very good at the Royal Orchid Aparthotel in Cancico. Just about deserves its four star rating. T.V.programmes not suitable for English speakers

We exchanged through RCI into the Royal Orchid. We were given a shabby room which had a patio just big enough to place a chair and was overlooked by the dining room. So we couldn't sit outside of an evening without the occupants of the dining room looking at us. We had to keep the curtains closed when the light was on. Luckily we spent our days touring the Island, which was beautiful. We would certainly return to Madeira but would steer clear of the Royal Orchid. We don't know where the exclusive decoration went, that was advertised in the brochure.

Have just come back from Madeira where we were meant to stay at the Royal Orchid Apart hotel. The place is very shabby and needs a good overhaul. The gym looked amazing but I don't go on holiday to use the gym! Our room looked out over the patio of the dining area so we would have had to keep our curtains closed the whole time and had no view. We did not stay there but got transferred to another hotel. The pool is a lot smaller than the photos indicate. There were a few children in there when we arrived and you wouldn't be able to have a peaceful swim even with so few in there. We were very disappointed with the whole place. It is also in the middle of nowhere and you would need a car. As Madierans drive like lunatics this was not something that was on our agenda. Overall extremely disappointing.

The Royal Orchid Aparthotel is run efficiently by professional and friendly staff whose entire existence seem to be geared to ensuring you have a wonderful holiday. The views are exquisite - the Islas Desertas swim enticingly out to sea and the distant passing liners and shipping make for an occasional extra point of interest. Everywhere there is an air of discreet luxury. The rooms are generous in both size and appontments with comfortable beds, discreet and efficient maid service, a decent kitchen which is supplied with almost everything you could wish for on holiday. The balconies are not overlooked and privacy abounds. Even the lift gives one a wonderful view out to sea. The swimming pool is an elegant indoor to outdoors gently curving, refreshing dip with an attached "jacuzzi" so large I need to swim a couple of strokes across it. The sports facilities are very good. They are so good that I feel obliged to swim and exercise daily - this is not what I go on holiday for! The restaurant is good, and while it is possible to take meals in the adjoining Roca Mar hotel which has a wonderful restaurant we never felt the need. The hotel is jointly owned with the Roca Mar next door and there is a free bus to and from the capital Funchal many times a day. The surrounding area has many hotels but is definitely a Madeiran residential village and not a tourist trap. The local buses are frequent and clean. The shops are interesting, and there are many restaurants within easy walking distance. In all, I could not have wished for a better holiday.