This hotel is literally 5 minutes from the airport but don`t let that put you off. We were never disturbed by the flights which seemed to stop between mid evening and 7am. In fact from the hotel you can`t hear take-offs until the planes suddenly appear as if from inside the headland, it was actually quite impressive.
We booked a package which included transfers (£60 for 3 of us). Had we known we would have used a taxi of which there are numerous both at the airport and in Machico. There were permanently 2 or 3 outside the hotel . I reckon you could have done both ways for £15.
Machico was very quiet and not at all touristy which meant there was little to do in the evening around the town (village).We found it best to keep busy in the day have a late evening meal and stroll along the promenade before returning to the hotel entertainment /bar.
The hotel was clean and comfortable and we were pleased with our room.All staff were pleasant and helpful.
The food was OK but got a little repetitive after a few days and was probably the only downside to this holiday.
We were due to go to the reps welcome on day 2 and no doubt would have booked a few excursions but on leaving the hotel on day one were approached by one of the taxi drivers all of whom will offer you tours of the island for half or full day. Francisco , who approached us, was extremely pleasant so we chatted and ended up booking him for a whole day tour of the island. It worked out slightly cheaper than the reps tour of the island (3 of us going ) and was a fabulous day out seeing the "real Madeira"
stopping off frequently and staying as long as we wanted in any particular place.Francisco was very knowledgeable , spoke several languages and was an excellent guide for the day .We were so impressed we booked him for 2 further days later in the week.
I would HIGHLY recommend using one of the taxis for your tours
it made our holiday.
Weather was warmer than forecasts we had seen on internet before going , ended up running out of t-shirts.

Having just stayed at this hotel with my husband and our 6 year old child I would like to advise for families. It all depends on what you are looking for in a holiday, there are no kids facilities as such with the exception of a small kids pool and Maderia itself nas no real family excersions (the water park does not open until high season) However we found enough to amuse ourselves,there is a small park 5 minuties walk from the hotel,a pebble beach and promanade with beautiful views of the sea and mountains.
There is a boat company that picks you up from the hotel and we had a lovely trip on the boat which took us around the bays and further out to sea where we saw many dolphins,the boat crew served a delicious lunch and were very friendly.
The actual hotel was spotless, the food although not varieried enough was tasty and the staff were nice.
If you are looking for a relaxing break and don`t mind finding your own fun this is a good place,the weather was not great but can`t be helped. Watch out though you can soon burn when the sun does come out!

we have just spent two weeks here and the hotel was very good,very clean and with friendly staff,But unfortunately we had the worst holiday weather we have ever experianced,madeira had more rain in six days than they had had in all of 2007 even the airport closed down and some people were delayed by up to three days.!!!
But of course not the hotels fault,altho listed as a 4star not everything was as good as that,the food was the worst all inclusive we have ever had,ok for soup,salads and sweet courses but the main courses were dire,not catering for british tastes at all,choice of one fish and one meat only and one night it was bones supposed to be chops!!,potatoes were usually boiled with herbs and very repetitious,lots of sprouts too .
the actual hotel is good ,rooms very clean but there are stairs everywhere,this hotel is not suitable for people with walking difficulties or wheelchairs or pushchairs as even with lifts you still had to walk
stairs to access most areas.everything else regarding trips and the area has been covered by other reviews so I wont repeat them again.just be aware the food is not the greatest and this was echoed by lots of people.but otherwise a good hotel,I must add I have never craved chips before but after two weeks without one I did,!!!

We enjoyed our stay at the Dom Pedro. Rooms were spotless, indeed we went back one day to see the maid scrubbing the bathroom floor on her hands and knees. Needless to say she earned her tip.
First off, the hotel is literally five minutes from the airport and the No 113 Funchal bus stops at the airport and 100 yards from the hote l- if you want to do it on the cheap. We pre-booked a taxi, but could have been transported for even less.
The staff were priceless, hard working and always willing to help with a smile. The entertainment, if it mattered to you, was repetitious. Same singers on a rota basis churning out same tunes every night. So don't expect a lavish turn. Actually the musicians were not bad when we saw them. The service at the bar was slowed by the barman having to put everything through the till...then you had to sign for it, even if you were all inclusive.
The pool was superbly monitored by an old chap who took enormous pride in his job. When he saw you coming he brought you comfortable covers for the sunbeds. He was constantly tidying, checking the water, cleaning the shower and area ... Top class, pity the water was icy cold.
The restaurant staff, like their colleagues elsewhere, were the business. However, the food was mixed. There were copious amounts of eggs, beans, bacon, on a rota basis, for breakfast with croissants, ham, cheese and fresh fruit. Lovely salads for lunch, but the evening meals were less than average. For example, boiled cabbage, oily potatoes and tough grey meat, ie for chickens legs, read thighs, pork leg read pork belly (fatty). There were just four containers with hot food, a miserable effort. We were all inclusive but did go and eat out, but some of the salads etc were first class.
Incidentally, beware the hotel bar prices if you are not all inclusive. I ordered two pints of coke and if I had been paying would have been charged £10. The prices varied depending on the visit.
The hotel is excellently located and from almost anywhere in it you can see the bay and sea. The airport noise could be annoying but seemingly only on certain days. There is also some work going on on the stony beach about 500 yards away and the clanking of rocks being delivered by the lorry load did become irritating.
The resort is developing but there are lots of little streets and many restaurants, not far from the hotel. You could almost walk out of the hotel onto the superb promenade which made it an excellent location.
We had a fine time, but, it was not a four star experience. Madeira is a marvellous place to go to, and we took the bus to both Funchal and Canical for next to nothing.
Finally, for those internet minded folk. There is wi fi on the prom and you can sit and browse your lap top while watching the waves. Also there is one free access point in the hotel, which you could usually get on.