The property must be managed by the Savoy Hotel chain. I was contacted by email one day before we were scheduled to stay at the Hill Houses. The email stated that they were sorry, but the rental house was no longer available, and they could give me a suite at their 5 star Saccharin Hotel in Calheta.

I'm sure the hotel is nice, but it would not provide the amenities that the Hill Houses offered (notably a kitchen, more space, a cliffside view out over the valley, and a small private pool). My family of 5 would have to fit into a hotel suite with 4 beds, so one of us would have to sleep on a sofa bed. No thanks - I've slept on many sofa beds and they are not comfortable and are in a public area, so you wake up every morning when the first person awake enters the living room. Also, two of my kids have Celiac Disease and we prefer to make them customized/safe gluten-free meals in a kitchen. The suite that they offered us in the hotel did not have a kitchen. After unsuccessfully contacting the Savoy hotel by email, I had to drive to the hotel and speak to the front desk staff (who were very nice), but they were the night shift and had no idea what I was talking about. They did confirm that I had two reservations (one at the Hill Houses and one at The Savoy Saccharin Hotel). They told me that I had to speak with someone the next day at their main hotel on the island (the Savoy Palace Hotel in downtown Funchal. Not trusting emails, we drove to the Savoy Palace and spoke to the front desk. Eventually they improved the offer, giving us "golden status" at their all-inclusive Calheta Beach Hotel. I accepted this offer. We lost the kitchen, the private pool, and the great views, but gained free food every day with the promise that the chef would personally arrange our gluten-free meals. The chef, "Nelio" met me when we arrived, then came to our table every day to explain the gluten free options to my kids. He customize our experience and made us feel special. Thank you Nelio, you turned an annoying situation into a success and saved this review.

Amazing view! Very large villa with 3 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, too much for the 3 of us actually. The pool is great. Very quiet and beautiful area.

The house was not super clean (bugs in the kitchen cabinets, hairs in the bathrooms, etc). But the bed linen and towels were very clean, which is the most important of course. The kitchen is not very well equipped, e.g. there is an oven but there are no baking trays.

Location

Some kitchen devices were not clean.

Member of staff actually met us by the house and showed everything inside. He was very helpful and friendly. House actually exceeded our expectations as we didn't thought it will be so big! Great views from where the house is located.

House had all the things what needed except pan, so used pots instead. AC units didn't worked due some electric issue, however heaters were provided (we stayed in February).

The helpfull people, always nice, and good communication. The great area. Nice place to stay and relax.

The view was amazing. The breakfast (extra 15€ per person) was very good but it was too much and lacked in variety. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

The house had no heating and some rooms were humid. Impossible to take a shower without flooding the bathroom because the glass panels were either not wide enough or long enough.

spectacular views as you are at the top of the mountain.

dangerously situated 1000m above sea level, on the side of the cliff. not sage for kids or those with a disability. can fall off onto the cliff at the edge of the property. not clean on arrival. problems with no hot water. pool not maintained and left dirty and not safe for swimming. broken and in disrepair. mould and damp in property. broken crockery and things in the house. broken door. the list goes on. I DO NOT RECOMMEND.

the view and comfortable beds clean property

very remote ... delayed services from savoy. only breakfast available no other dining option no takeaways no delivery around