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Vila Galé Santa Cruz

4 star rated hotel
8.8/10 Excellent
(254 verified Hotels.com guest reviews)
See real reviews (12)

generated by AI based on family reviews

Overview

The Vila Galé Santa Cruz offers a convenient location near Madeira Airport, with many guests noting its proximity (a 5-minute taxi ride). The hotel is praised for its large, clean facilities, comfortable rooms, and a good breakfast with a variety of options. Guests appreciate the hotel's ocean views and the availability of spa facilities. However, reviews also mention that the hotel's beach is rocky, the town of Santa Cruz offers limited activities outside of the hotel, and some find the service to be lacking in certain areas, such as inconsistent room cleaning and issues with the evening meal's included drinks. The hotel is approximately 12-15 miles from Funchal. A free shuttle bus to Funchal is provided four times a day.

About the hotel

Along with 2 restaurants, this smoke-free hotel has a full-service spa and an indoor pool. Free buffet breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, an outdoor pool, 2 bars/lounges, and a fitness center are onsite.

Nearby attractions

Located in Santa Cruz, Vila Galé Santa Cruz is near the beach. Santo da Serra Golf Club and Palheiro Golfe are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Santo da Serra Market and Funchal Farmers Market. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Madeira Stadium or Barreiros Stadium. Scuba diving, parasailing, and windsurfing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby.

Popular amenities

Parking

Limo/town car service
Onsite parking includes off-street options
Self parking on site (EUR 7.50 per day)

Wifi

Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Food and drink

2 bars/lounges and 1 poolside bar
2 restaurants
Free buffet breakfast available daily 7:30 AM–10:30 AM
Room service available

Spa

Body treatments
Massage - hot stone
Sauna
Spa tub
Steam room
Turkish bath/hammam

Guest services

24-hour front desk
Daily housekeeping
Dry cleaning service
Laundry facilities
Luggage storage
Porter/bellhop
Tour/ticket assistance
Wedding services

Accessibility

Accessible bathroom (select rooms)
Elevator
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
In-room accessibility (select rooms)
Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
Wheelchair-accessible lounge

Things to do

Aerobics classes
Arcade/game room
Bicycle rentals
Fitness center
Full-service spa
Indoor pool
Outdoor pool
Playground
Sauna
Shopping
Spa tub
Steam room

Outdoor

Garden
Terrace

Conveniences

ATM/banking services
Banquet hall
Elevator
Front-desk safe
Gift shop/newsstand
Library

More

Smoke-free property
TV in lobby
map

Reviews that mention...

Hotel Reviews

for Vila Galé Santa Cruz
star-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-fullstar-empty

4.5 out of 5 stars

12 reviews

Review data

5 star reviews

67%

4 star reviews

8%

3 star reviews

25%

2 star reviews

0%

1 star reviews

0%

We have selected a sample of reviews which reflect what travellers have said about Vila Galé Santa Cruz

Showing 1 - 10 of 12 reviews

Latest reviews (12)

S

Susan M

14 Oct 2024 - 15 Oct 2024
reviewed on hcom

5 out of 5 stars

This is our go to hotel when flying out of Madeira Island. Staff is extremely accommodating. Although we left for the airport at 3 AM, we were provided with a boxed breakfasts. It is only about a 10 minute cab ride to the airport and runs around 10 euros. Perfect and convenient.
C

Clare

23 Feb 2024 - 24 Feb 2024
reviewed on expedia

4 out of 5 stars

Large, clean facility, close to restaurants and airport. Just a bit noisy.
M

Michael

24 Apr 2023 - 25 Apr 2023
reviewed on hcom

3 out of 5 stars

Hotel is super far from anything besides the airport. The breakfast, while included was not good. Better off saving the money and eating in town.
A

Alan

24 Apr 2023 - 25 Apr 2023
reviewed on hcom

5 out of 5 stars

Only stopped one night as we were flying out to the Azores the following day. Hotel nice, close to the airport (5mins in taxi), Santa Cruz is very pleasant to walk around, nice cafes/restaurants. The hotel staff are very friendly and helpful.
L

Leonid

18 Feb 2023 - 19 Feb 2023
reviewed on orbitz

5 out of 5 stars

Clean hotel with ocean view, 5 min from the airport
D

Dagmar

27 Oct 2022 - 28 Oct 2022
reviewed on orbitz

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful property near the airport. We had a 5 am departure so we had to leave at 3 am. I recommend this property. Some staff at the front desk was not too friendly.
D

Daniel

21 Oct 2022 - 24 Oct 2022
reviewed on orbitz

3 out of 5 stars

We booked this due to its proxy to the airport (5 min drive) so was great on that. Overall it's sort of a "resort-style" hotel but just didn't hit the mark on actual service. Don't get me wrong, the hotel is nice, the views are great and right on the beach... it's just the beach is all rock and stone so you can't really use it. Then there is the town itself which is one of the smaller towns on the island and while it is cute, there is just nothing to do. There are about half a dozen cafe's type restaurants not much else to do so I would advise staying in Funchal unless you just need to be close to the airport. My main issue was that service felt kind of lacking and the food at the hotel itself was awful. We ordered room service breakfast which arrived at almost lunchtime and was nothing more than dry bread, bad coffee, and warm juice with no cups or mugs to drink said coffee or utensils to cut or spread anything... felt like leftovers from that morning. Then that night we tried the "Buffett" and oh lord... for $25 a person you get (and I'm sorry) but really bad cheap buffet food that was so unbelievably not worth it that we each got half a plate and just walked out knowing we did not even want to try anymore. I did not complain because I did not want to be rude and say how disappointing it was. In the end, I got the sense this was more of a local/European little honeymoon spot or something and not much of a business traveler hotel, especially since the WiFi cut out a lot.
I

Idriss

3 Jun 2022 - 6 Jun 2022
reviewed on orbitz

3 out of 5 stars

There was no room cleaning until we asked them to even then did not do a proper job cleaning .There was no kettle in the room so I asked the room cleaning lady she said No they do not provide in room. I asked in reception the Lady Chris gave me one straightaway. We booked half board the evening meal would not give us water unless we paid we have had HB before that included soft drinks water and tea/coffee very disappointed buffet choice was not great. They told us we must buy a cap when using the swimming pool which I think is unfair they should provide them as I have never come across paying for a swimming cap for men and women its their rules they should provide. The spa facilities have communication problem different staff tells you different things ie booking sauna steam room Jacuzzi towels etc just annoying really. The reception area is just dead and gloomy they put out some kind of refreshing drink there which always looks dirty and staled seem like its been there for days. The shuttle service was good . The staff at check in reception desk need to be more friendly approachable rather than being serious and finish with you as quick as possible. I must say the young Lady at the reception desk who works nights only 19 or 20 years of age was absolutely fantastic always listened helpful very professional she is 10 out of 10 she should be given a medal wishing her all the best in her very bright future she truly deserve. All in all it was ok not great but yeah thanks
L

Linda

15 Aug 2021 - 16 Aug 2021
reviewed on hcom

5 out of 5 stars

Great location on the water with a huge pool and easy beach access. Staff was friendly and very accommodating. Close to the airport, which is helpful after a long day of traveling. We had a late afternoon flight and wanted to relax before heading to city center of Funchal. Breakfast had a good variety with an omelette and egg station, fresh fruits, yogurts, cereals, bread/butter, cold cuts, and more. Only minor downside were that the bathroom and some parts of the hotel were a little dated. It's a very nice hotel as long as you don't have some over top expectations and expect The Ritz Carlton.
B

Brian

Invalid Date - Invalid Date
reviewed on expedia

5 out of 5 stars

The Vila Galé in Madeira is a very new hotel (opened 2005). I was astonished at the excellent quality, for a very reasonable price. It had been rated three-star, but the quality to me was more like four- or even five-star. It is located at Santa Cruz, 12-15 miles from Funchal, the capital of Madeira, within five minutes of the island's airport However, the hotel gives a free bus shuttle service to and from Funchal 4 times a day.
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