Tui Blue Gardens - Adults-Only - Savoy Signature

Room very clean. Very good buffet breakfast. Indoor pool nice. Highly recommend

Everyone we met was a returning visitor which, in the age group it seems to cater for, over 50’s, is a compliment to the hotel. There is certainly a lot to see and do in Madeira, without walking the Levadas even. There is an easy levada walk at the rear of the hotel. The staff are all friendly and welcoming particularly Natasha in entertainments and Santa. The fitness/wellbeing coach Gi does some great varied classes from sunrise yoga to band work or weights. They all made our stay really special. There is the new Spa now with massage etc ( extra but a discount available) and a warm modern indoor swimming pool, steam room and sauna all accessible. We sunbathed on the rooftop terrace where there is a bar and Jacuzzi and the four poster sunbeds along with the regular sunbeds and tables. The hotel was not full in April and we never had any problems getting a sunbed or a table at meal times. Restaurant staff are great and the food is very varied even for gluten free or dairy intolerant. Many salad variations, pasta, regional dishes and fish, two meats at least. Breakfast has a vast array of choice, no complaints at all. Many English dishes like fruit crumble and one day roast lamb with mint gravy, yum. Desserts were the best choice we have ever seen. The cakes were all fantastic tasting. The small gardens are to the rear of the hotel and the fitness pavilion and games area is set in further gardens and is up a couple of higher stepped levels which might be a problem for some. There is a table tennis table in the sunken garden near the unheated pool. In the evening there is live music which is good but as the weather was poor it was not held in the rooftop terrace area or around the pool but in the Magnolia lounge downstairs. This was very ‘working mans club’ style not much atmosphere , the chairs set out wrong for chatting we thought. There was a casino night and a quiz, several bands and some traditional dancing when we were there. All fun . Drinks are reasonable and they do add 10% service charge but we didn’t knock this off, it seemed mean as they were all so pleasant. We had a mountain view which was lovely with the mist rolling over the tops till the sun came out. In April we got no sun till 6pm. There is no beach so the sea views are literally just that, although you can see the harbour from some rooms and the cruise ships coming in. We had a small balcony, just 2 chairs. They are some Juliette balconies and some larger ones. The corner suites are massive. The rooms are not modern and maybe need a bit of work but perfectly good solid furniture. Totally clean. We had a bath and a shower above which was red hot all the time. Didn’t notice any toiletries except shower cap and dispenser on shower wall. Kettle and provisions, with a bottle of water, replaced daily. Fridge. Only complaint is there were only 2 of everything not 4, so limited, unless you asked, to one cup of coffee each a day! Easily delivered more to your room if asked though so no p

Due to fly home today, we have been here for 10 days. We booked the Tui Blu as we both like to do some activities whilst on holiday, my husband more so than me 😆 The hotel facilities are ok good, although the gym was too small with not enough heavier loose weights for my husband. The main reason for the review is to say what a great activities rep Milana is. She is enthusiastic without being ‘too much’ and her fitness classes up on the terrace were really good, easy to join via the app. She has been very pleasant throughout our stay, as has Adam. We have not had any disappointments in the restaurant, plenty of choice and all staff were great. The location is not good for anyone with mobility issues as it is on a steep hill as advertised, however, there is a bus stop right outside the hotel which takes you into the city/harbour. You can walk it in about 25 mins, a bit longer coming back due to going uphill (this is a common feature of Madeira) As there is no beach the resort has a city break feel rather than a beach holiday feel. We did do the toboggan and the cable car. Beware if the queue for the toboggan which you cannot see directly from the pay kiosk. We paid for our ticket then walked around the bend to find a massive queue which took us 1.5 hours to get to the front. There are toilets and refreshments though.Once off the toboggan go down the steps and turn right to the bus stop. This takes you back into the centre at €1.95 per person …. Don’t pay the taxi drivers, they charge a fortune for the same trip back. A day trip to the West coast was a very long day, highlight was the lava pools we swam in. Despite the hotel telling you have to pay to go to the rooftop bar in the sister hotel The Savoy Palace, this wasn’t the case. You enter through the Galaxia entrance just to the left of the main hotel and give them your name and room number to enter. The view is lovely and the cocktails were perfect, slightly pricy but worth it and you get honey roasted nuts, olives and crisps too 🙂