Vila Gale Santa Cruz

Great stay. We arrived late and the gentleman at the front desk was so kind and accommodating!! Would definitely recommend. Very convenient to airport!

Not a bad place.

We chose Vila Galé for our wedding reception in September 2024. Everything was perfect. Mr. Gonçalo was the person in charge of the organization from the hotel. He did an excellent job, following all the steps, starting from the initial meetings till the final day. We strongly recommend Vila Galé for your event: the venue is so nice, the food is great and the staff is very friendly. We stayed there for one night and we can say that also the room and breakfast were super nice.

Booked this for a get away from UK weather, travelled with Jet2. Booked a standard twin/double room. On arrival reception was good had an hours wait for room as with Jet2 we arrive early. Went to our room nothing wrong with room allocated but it was at front of hotel and balcolny looked out onto street which consisted of closed business and not what I like sitting on my balcolny. Went to reception enquired about a sea view room and for a very reasonable extra payment which was less than what Jet2 charge for exactly same room got a wonderful view and room was great. For that I thank the hotel. IMPORTANT TO NOTE we were there in February and I would suspect that if it was during busier time of year it would not have been available. If you book a Jet2 standard room you may be dissappointed with view unless of course you book a sea view when you first book. Hotel in general was guiet, (February) there were works going on which Jet2 never informed us about and whilst it spoilt view around pool did not detract from experience. Other travel companies do advise about these issues. Room was well appointed daily cleaning unless you decline it. Restraunt was pleasant enough, I have said this many times DO NOT EXPECT ENGLISH FOOD Its a foreign country. Hotels with a UK guests often try and provide a version of an English breakfast as do Vila Gale, Not for me on this occasion but it was enjoyed by many others and I found more than enough to keep me going. Only had dinner once was not bad but did not really reflect the standard of the Hotel. We were Bed and Breakfast so we were not that bothered. In the same vein about UK food Santa Cruz is very much Portugese. The restraunts supply local and national dishes which I have to say were very good, I am now addicted to Picado, such a simple dish Fish or Beef or Chicken with a Sauce/Gravy with chips or fried sliced potato it was excellent. It would be unfair to pick out one restraunt but I am going to, Recanto da Pitada situated just off the promenade and if walking from hotel on the left before tyou get to the Market building. English is not the staffs first language but we muddled through. If you are interested in full reviews on restraunts over next few weeks will review all the locations we used. To sum up hotel borders very close to 4 star but not guite there, rooms were clean and well tended. Room service was quick and efficient, Restraunt was hit and miss for me, my wife was okay with it but I would not go half board or all inclusive because I would look outside for restraunts. B AND B was ok. We used the bar snack service which was quick efficient and very good. Have to mention Sandra who was behind the bar 3rd Feb when we first arrived and several days after that and was an asset to the hotel a lovely lady and good at her job. Just a final nod to the fact this is Portugal, Santa Cruz recognises UK travellers with their written menus but is local food not an english breakfast anywhere. I don't mind this

The hotel was clean and well maintined. Our room was a decent size. All the staff we encountered were approachable and friendly (from the cleaners to the receptonists). The are two outdoor pools, a smaller "paddling type" one with slides for little ones, and a main larger swimming pool. We never had an issue getting sun-loungers (and we went for two together, complete with a small table and a parasol) - although the choice was a bit reduced after 1pm. You could hear the sound of the sea whilst sunbathing around the pool - nice :-) We stayed on a bed and breakfast basis - typical buffet style breakfast but done well with a good selection of fruit, cereals, yougurts, cheese, cold meats, hot breakfast foods and pancakes, breads and pastries. In short, the hotel did everything the brochure said it did. One word of caution, the free hotel minbus into Funchal fills quickly so book early at reception (ideally early the day before) - we found the local public buses really crowded and ended up standing both ways. Although we liked the hotel, and the people we met in Santa Cruz were lovely and welcoming, it is not a large resort and is relatively quiet - we don't like things busy or full of late night bars/nightclubs, but would have liked a little more choice of places to go. You will both hear and see planes on their approach to the airport - but we quite liked this and were awarding marks for the approaches! :-)