Orca Praia

Portugal , Madeira
FUNCHAL, Estrada Monumental, 335
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20 reviews shown

8/10

Excellent

10 Nov 2025

Daren

The staff (housekeeping, reception, hospitality, even maintenance) were top notch; people who appear to have found their niche in providing a welcoming, comfortable environment. The location and amenities were also great. Being built on the side of a cliff, the view from every room we visited was difficult to beat.
The drawbacks of this hotel are (1) limited free parking (2) a location that’s a bit further from downtown amenities than some other options; requiring a car or using the convenient city bus (3) some slightly annoying cost management practices, e.g. locking the minibar unless a 200€ deposit was paid, providing only 1 pillow per guest (4) Pool access requires use of stairs, which might be a consideration for guests with limited mobility.
On balance, a terrific place with terrific staff. We would definitely stay again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

10 Nov 2025

Michael

Every aspect of our stay was top class. The staff were extremely helpful and efficient.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

18 Oct 2025

Eileen

Really enjoyed all aspects of the hotel. Great staff, entertainment and breakfast. Plus the views!! 5 star views

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

02 Jul 2025

Magda lizeth

The hotel and the accommodations were very nice and everything was maintained well, however, the staff was extremely disappointing. They were not helpful at all and made us feel unwelcome.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

03 Jun 2025

Eleni

We liked the location, views, and facilities. The staff could have been a bit more informative upon our arrival about the hotel services, like laundry and housekeeping. We had to figure out some important information ourselves and take the initiative to ask. Also, the restaurant menu was slightly pricy, and our dinner not as delicious. Still, the (free) breakfast buffet had an appreciable variety of good food which we really enjoyed. Also, our room was rather big and comfortable.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Oct 2024

malber Silva

Ricardo at the Front Desk was outstanding.

Leisure

4/10

Poor

19 Sep 2024

Alex

Claimed to have sent VIP wine to the room and when confronted the staff wanted to double check with maid and we never heard the result. No luggage rack, heating iron, nor tissue paper. Really crowded breakfast.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 May 2021

Verified traveler

I liked location.
I didn't like that there was no tea and coffee added every day in the room when run out. You have to go to the restaurant or bar just to have cup of tea.

Business_and_leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 Oct 2020

Verified traveler

the location of the hotel is perfect for relaxing holidays, the view from the balcony is breathtaking. the hotel is very clean and safe. all staff is very friendly and helpful.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

03 Oct 2020

Aneeka

More like 4 star - highly recommend

This is a lovely hotel to relax in. My room was spacious, balcony was massive and private (I think all the rooms have balconies but some balconies are smaller and less private, my room no. was 816). Very clean and nicely decorated. It's so close to the beach that you can hear the waves from the room which is heaven and if that's not your thing the doors are soundproof. Best view I've had in a hotel (just the ocean). It's about 15 mins to the centro by bus, the hotel has a free shuttle service and the bus stop is just outside with a regular service. There is a black sand beach in front of the hotel, really pretty. The food was good, varied. Restaurant near it is worth a visit. If you are covid cautious, this place is for you. They take it very seriously (e.g. disinfected my suitcase on arrival, disinfected salt shakers when setting the table etc.) and it sets a good tone in the hotel e.g. ppl don't get in the same lift. They take your temp at check in and having masks, gloves and gel is mandatory (they made me buy gloves as I didn't have any). I felt very covid safe here. The only negative was that the service wasn't great. Only met 1-2 nice people on the front desk and otherwise, I found the staff to be a bit abrupt, questions about activities were met with responses about QR codes. Professional but not overly hospitable. There are steep gradients to the hotel and pool/beach! Overall my stay was super relaxing and I would certainly stay again.

Self

8/10

Excellent

04 Jan 2020

Verified traveler

The front desk person that attend me was no nice. Has an actitude and kind of rude. The parking is terrible

Business

8/10

Excellent

01 Sep 2019

Verified traveler

This was a very nice experience! The rooms are nice, spacious and clean and they all have a gorgeous terrace with spectacular ocean views. The amenities are nice, the pool area is clean and very well maintained. Breakfast was ok, coffee could be improved but good value for money overall. We had a very nice stay although the location is not the best (being situated at the end of Funchal) but this is what makes it a bit quieter. They do offer a free shuttle bus to Funchal. All in all, I would recommend it!

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2019

Verified traveler

Amazing location, couldn’t fault it other then air con for the hotter periods of the year! We went May and it was fine and 23 degrees - great weather. The room are huge and has sliding doors opening to sea and hear the sea view. Easy quick access into Funchal with number 1 bus which stops outside the hotel takes you there within 10 mins. The staff are lovely, so kind and friendly. The food at breakfast was amazing and dinner buffet was such great value for money. Would so go again! The pool is also so great little walk down and back up but so worth it!

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

03 May 2019

Verified traveler

Very relaxing area. right on the beach. Breakfast ok and decent variety.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

30 Oct 2018

Angela

Only a three star hotel but in my opinion it could be a four star. Fabulous uninterrupted views of the sea from all rooms and the restaurant too. Good breakfast buffet and very adequate dinner buffet with plenty of choice and good value.
Far enough from town and other hotels, but with a good local bus service (half hourly).
Beautiful good size uncrowded pool with access from there to the beach which though not private, is far enough from habitation to make it seem so.
Good walks all around and a few little cafes , bars and restaurants within walking distance.
Very friendly staff, large room with floor to ceiling windows and doors leading onto a good size balcony.
I stayed for nine days and wished I had booked for longer
From Funchal (about 20 mins on the local bus) I took a bus to Cabo Giro which travelled through some stunning scenery and some hair raising roads.
I also booked an off road trip more into the centre of the island which was fun
I will definitely be returning.

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jun 2018

Verified traveler

Quiet location next to the sea

Veryu nice good value hotel. Food was ok but not that inspiring. Breakfast choices were good but the cooked was lukewarm much of the time. However overall very good.

8/10

Excellent

23 Jan 2018

Emily

Generally a nice hotel, clean and comfortable. Asked for a double room but it was just two twin beds next to each other. Hotel room view was lovely overlooking the sea and the beach was just out the front of the hotel. Not located in Funchal town so only really accessible if you have a car to go out for dinner and activities. Parking was limited and on two nights we had to park on the main road, and staff on reception were rude when we asked what to do when there was no spaces in the car park. They also hadn’t told us we needed a parking pass so we didn’t realise until the day after check in. There was a wide selection of food at breakfast, all tasting nice. They have recently put WiFi in the rooms which worked well.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

19 Sep 2017

Almost Perfect

Everything was lovely but let down by Average Buffet Meals & Lack of Lift down to swimming pool

8/10

Excellent

12 Jan 2016

Not Provided

quiet place for relaxing

very quiet hotel except the thundering of the waves (which we liked)

Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Mar 2026

Markus

Sauber, herrlicher Meerblick mit kuscheligen Brandungsgeräuschen, sehr freundliches Personal, bis auf den Kaffee ausgezeichnetes, umfangreiches Frühstück

Partner