Caniço Bay Club

The apartment was in a good location, close to restaurants, shop and bus route to Funchal,it was very clean and well maintained with daily maid service. Not suitable for people with walking difficulties.

I arrived at about 11:00 PM.. A sign at the reception's door let me (and everyone else) know that my key was under the carpet at the door.. My apartment smelled really bad (a mix of mold and cigarettes),. The carpet was filty. The sofa was torned on the side, flity and its mattress totally uncomfortable. A family member who arrived later was unable to sleep on it, and was getting sicker with the smell of the place. On the third day, we saw the maid cleaning the apartment next to us. It was a beautiful one, and we asked if we could take it. That evening, we were able to switch only because no other guests had signed up for it yet. Otherwise, we would have been stuck for 7 other days! Anyway, if anyone gets the type of apartment we got the second time, then they'll get something really good for the price they'll pay.

On arrival there was a note on the door of reception with a list of guests staying over the period of a week with room numbers and the instructions that the key was under the door mat. The apartment had no fridge, which is essential for any stay. I rang the emergency number the next morning to be told the fridge had broken and they would get back to me. No-one did. There was a terrible smell in the apartment which came from two pillows which were black with mildew is the wardrobes. This accom takes your money up front through booking agencies (this was apparent from the list on reception door all the bookings were through agencies) and there is never any one around but a cleaner who only works week-days so no management in sight.

Will stay there again in future.

I had been really looking forward to my two week summer holiday in Madeira. However, the previous reviews of the Canico Bay Club were misleading. Whilst the apartment was large and clean, the view was appalling. The Royal Orchid took up most of the view and the small square of seaview we had was blighted by local bulders using it as a space to park their digger, truck and a large metal shed that held all their materials. The local bars have no view and no character. The local shop's prices have a 150% plus mark up on the supermarket in Canico. The local so called lovely promenade is a concrete runway surrounded by anodyne hotel blocks. Suffice to say, Canico de Baxio is not a good introduction to Madeira. Also just to say, I left after a week having booked to stay two.

We did the island, all round. This is the best spot for easy access to the city of Funchal and its amenities, access to and from the airport without nuisance, access to all major roads and routes, and a pleasant environment for the evenings. You can visit anywhere on the island within an hour by car, and there is lots to see. Canico, pronounced caniso, is about 9k from the airport, about ten minutes on the new super-highway. It has many high quality hotels around, for dinners and drinks, with music and facilities. This apartment block, for that is what it really is, is charming and pleasant, but has recently seen better days: it is a little bit worn, but both scrupulously clean and comfortable all the same. It is situated right opposite the Royal Orchid Hotel, the only means of finding it, save the girl in the local tourist office: she is asked by everyone who has ever booked here. The local bus takes you right into Funchal, for 1.60 Euros, and it is regular and prompt. It is also quite a ride, if you sit on the drivers side. The markets. the marina, the cafes and bars of Funchal are all excellent. The other spots on the island are all easily accessed fron Canico. Do not listen to anyone who says you are too near the airport, as you never hear the planes: they all bank and have short take off and landing. This is an excellent spot on a beautiful island with the world's second most friendly and courteous people.