Your stay — Windsor
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Funchal.
The Property — Windsor
The Windsor is a reliable, no-frills three-star perched on Rua do Carmo, a side street a three-minute walk from Funchal’s seafront. The lobby is compact, tiled and clean — think functional rather than characterful, with a reception desk that gets you keyed in fast. Its USP is location and price: you’re steps from the marina and the old town’s restaurant strip, but the street stays quiet enough for sleep. This suits budget-conscious travellers who want a central base and don’t need a pool or resort extras.
Chronicles of Funchal
Funchal was founded in the early 15th century by Portuguese settlers who named it after the wild fennel (funcho) that grew thickly on the hillsides. Its 16th-century cathedral, Sé, is the best surviving example of Gothic-Manueline architecture on the island, built from local volcanic stone. The city grew rich on sugar and, later, Madeira wine, which attracted British merchants who left their mark in the old town’s trading houses and the English Cemetery. Today, Funchal is a year-round cruise port and a launchpad for levada walks, mixing cobbled lanes with modern shopping corridors. Its cultural identity is distinctly Madeiran — polite, unhurried, proud of its botanical gardens and the 500-year-old Monte toboggan run.
Best Time to Visit
Full Funchal guide →Best months
April to June and September to October: warm seas, fewer rain days than winter, and cruise crowds haven’t peaked. The gardens are lush and the levada paths are walkable without midday heat.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the busiest months, driven by European summer holidays and the Atlantic Festival (fireworks and classical music) on Saturday nights from June to September. Hotel prices at places like Windsor can rise 30-50% above shoulder rates. Book by March for a July stay.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best discounts — still 20-22°C air temps, quieter restaurants, and room rates often 20% below peak. October has the Madeira Wine Festival, which adds interest without the full summer crush.
Weather & packing
Funchal has a microclimate: the south coast stays mild year-round but can flip from sun to a sudden Atlantic mist shower in under ten minutes. Pack a lightweight, packable rain shell or a small umbrella that fits in a day bag — don't rely on just a jumper or jacket.
Live City Briefing — Funchal
- The Madeira Cable Car from Funchal to Monte is closed for scheduled maintenance until 30 June 2026; if you arrive 2 July, it will have just reopened — check the official website the day before travel.
- Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal’s main restaurant street, now has new pedestrian hours: vehicle access is blocked from 17:00 to 23:00 daily, making dinner walks easier but taxi drop-offs to your table a bit trickier.
- Work on the new cruise terminal extension at Funchal’s Praça do Povo continues through summer 2026; expect construction fencing and possible minor road diversions near the marina until August.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Windsor, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, facing the rear courtyard or side away from Rua das Hortas. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible by lift (the hotel has a working lift).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1 or 2 facing the street; Rua das Hortas is a narrow road in central Funchal with delivery vans, scooters, and early-morning rubbish collection. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
Ask for a south-facing room on floors 3-4 — you'll see rooftops and possibly a glimpse of the harbour over the lower buildings. Rear courtyard rooms (north side) offer a quieter vista but no sea view.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are typically quietest — above street hubbub but below any roof-level equipment or terrace seating.
🔊 Noise notes
Rua das Hortas is a busy one-way street serving local traffic, plus pedestrian footfall to nearby cafes and shops. Expect noise from scooters (common in Funchal) and early deliveries around 7-8am. The bar on the ground floor may have music until 11pm on weekends.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, pre-book parking at the nearby multi-storey (the hotel has no on-site parking). 2) Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking — and call a week before to confirm the rear-facing quiet side.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Windsor
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 20 Mbps, stable for streaming; no login required, simple password from reception
Single lift serves all 6 floors (including reception). No stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers; complimentary digital access to PressReader via hotel tablet in lobby, no personal device download
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop from 10:00 no charge; late check-out until 13:00 for €25, subject to availability
Free, secure luggage room available before check-in and after check-out, accessible during reception hours (08:00–22:00)
Step-free entrance; lift to all floors; one accessible room on ground floor with roll-in shower; no hearing loops or braille signage
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Fórum Funchal garage (300m, €12 per 24h). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.00 per person per night (tourist tax, payable at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja do Carmo (131 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de São João Evangelista do Colégio do Funchal (270 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Capela de São Luís de Tolosa (301 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Sé do Funchal (372 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centro Comercial Europa — 68 m · ~1 min walk
Jardim Municipal do Funchal — 678 m · ~8 min walk
Museu de Arte Sacra — 251 m · ~3 min walk
Auditorio Municipal — 668 m · ~8 min walk
Campo da Quinta Deão — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk
Carmo — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Amanhecer — 144 m · ~2 min walk
Funchal — 754 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Avoid airport and hotel exchange desks; use ATMs at local bank branches for the best rates.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; contactless is common. Small places may be cash-only, so keep some euros handy.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service was good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) at a local café costs about €0.70-€1.
A prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca or café costs around €7-€9.
A grilled fish or meat main with sides at a simple restaurant runs about €10-€13.
Look for poncha bars and kiosks near Largo do Municipal for cheap snacks; the Mercado dos Lavradores has produce but no real street-food strip.
Pingo Doce and Continente are the main budget supermarkets in this area.
Rua de João de Deus has a few affordable chain stores; for market shopping, head to the Zona Velha street market on Saturdays.
A Giro bus day pass costs about €5.50. From the airport, take the Aerobus (€3.35 one-way) or a local bus 20/24 for €1.95.
Eat the prato do dia at lunch for the best value; refill water bottles at public fountains; skip taxis and walk the steep streets or use the cable cars sparingly.
Good to know — Funchal
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
Funchal112 (European emergency number) for general information and assistance
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Funchal, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Windsor
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 102 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Carmo — 149 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal City Centre (near Living Funchal Bloco-III)
💡 A hop-on hop-off service that allows you to get off near your hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 Buy tickets on the bus or at the bus station; then take a taxi or walk to the hotel
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Living Funchal Bloco-III
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher prices during peak hours
Cristiano Ronaldo Airport → Funchal Bus Station (Rodoviária)
💡 A cheaper option, but with less frequent departures
About Funchal
Wikipedia ↗
Funchal (Portuguese pronunciation: [fũˈʃal] ), officially City of Funchal (Portuguese: Cidade do Funchal), is the capital, largest city and a municipality in Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The city has a population of 105,795, making it the sixth largest cit...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Windsor?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4, facing the rear courtyard or side away from Rua das Hortas. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible by lift (the hotel has a working lift).
Which rooms should I avoid at Windsor?
Avoid rooms on floors 1 or 2 facing the street; Rua das Hortas is a narrow road in central Funchal with delivery vans, scooters, and early-morning rubbish collection. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor.
Is Windsor noisy?
Rua das Hortas is a busy one-way street serving local traffic, plus pedestrian footfall to nearby cafes and shops. Expect noise from scooters (common in Funchal) and early deliveries around 7-8am. The bar on the ground floor may have music until 11pm on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Windsor?
Ask for a south-facing room on floors 3-4 — you'll see rooftops and possibly a glimpse of the harbour over the lower buildings. Rear courtyard rooms (north side) offer a quieter vista but no sea view.
What are insider tips for staying at Windsor?
1) If arriving by car, pre-book parking at the nearby multi-storey (the hotel has no on-site parking). 2) Request a room on floor 3 or 4 when booking — and call a week before to confirm the rear-facing quiet side.
What time is check-in at Windsor?
Check-in at Windsor is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Windsor have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 20 Mbps, stable for streaming; no login required, simple password from reception
Is there a city or tourist tax at Windsor?
€2.00 per person per night (tourist tax, payable at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Windsor?
A prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca or café costs around €7-€9.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Windsor?
A Giro bus day pass costs about €5.50. From the airport, take the Aerobus (€3.35 one-way) or a local bus 20/24 for €1.95.
When is the best time to visit Funchal?
April to June and September to October: warm seas, fewer rain days than winter, and cruise crowds haven’t peaked. The gardens are lush and the levada paths are walkable without midday heat.
Top Attractions in Funchal
💡 Look out for the park's botanical garden, which features a wide range of tropical plants and trees.
💡 Take a guided tour to learn more about Ronaldo's early life and career, and see some of his personal belongings on display.
💡 Look out for the centre's beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings.
💡 Visit the church's sacristy to see some beautiful azulejo tiles and a collection of ancient relics.
💡 Visit at sunset for the best views and a spectacular sight.