Anyone been to Madeira?

[SurferChick1]

'm lookiung for a surfing holiday and hear that Madeira's got some pretty cool waves. I need to find out the best resort to stay in for things to do and if anyone can recommend a good hotel, I'd be happy to hear from you! Thanks XXX

[Impret-Sir]

Its a beautiful island, and well worth a visit, dont be put off by the rather unnerving stories about the airport, its a lot less dangerous than it looks! We stayed in Funchal, as most people do, and our hotel was called The Oasis Atlantic, it was a few years ago now, but if it is still the same then I would reccomend it, it was great. Try and get a room that opens out onto the gardens, and you will be able to stroll from your patio strait down to the deserted beach, and watch the sunset from your room. Also the sounds of the sea will lull you off to sleep. We loved it!

[Denise S.]

There are no beaches in Madeira, just rocks and sheer cliffs.    We didn't see anyone surfing.   We stayed in Funchal, lots of good restaurants. Recommend taking the cable car up the mountain to the botanical gardens and the wicker basket ride down.

I wouldn't think this is the place for anyone under 40.

[AllYourBase]

Denise, I disagree. It's a lovely place for people under 40 too, who appreciate that it's not over-run by the booze brigade. It's wprth paying extra on the flight or booking early to get window seats on each side, as the arrival at the airport is awesome, due to the sheer rock face next to the runway.
We stay at the Madeira regency palace, which, though costly, also has self catering rooms and a lovely pool. In Funchal town itself ther are many nice bars and restaurants, but there's no mad booze bars!

[delboy3]

I spent my honeymoon there last year, and I'm under 40 (OK, just!). That's because neither I nor my wife can bear the usual shaven-headed, tattoo-covered, Union Jack shorts wearing package holiday Brits-on-the-p*ss places. Stayed in Funchal at the Quinta do Sol and mostly agree with Denise S, there aren't any real beaches on the south of the island but I believe there might be something on the north coast.

Plenty of excellent restaurants along the Lido - ask for the place that does "steak on the stone": fantastic!

Yes, the airport looks a bit scary but there's only been one accident there in 30 years, and that was when a plane slid off the runway during a thunderstorm.

Enjoy!

[stoo_pid]

We had a wonderful holiday there earlier this year (click here for some excellent tips provided to me by AllYourBase).  Funchal on the south coast is where the majority of visitors stay and really the only place on the island with any sort of nightlife. 

From what I remember from the guide books though, the only area for surfing is the north coast.  If you hire a car though its only about an hour's drive from coast to coast.

If you get bored of surfing (as if!) I can strongly recommend taking your hiking boots & exploring some spectacular scenery with these guys http://www.madeira-levada-walks.com/
you won't regret it.

For what its worth we stayed here http://www.pestana.com/EN/Hoteis/Madeira/Bay/
and it was excellent - all rooms have balconies & uninterrupted views over the Atlantic.  I can hear the waves crashing on the rocks right now........

Enjoy!