Esmeralda Holidays Apartments — Hotel in Funchal

Long comment but worthy the read if you want to avoid guaranteed stress.|Three days before our stay, I called to inquire about the possibility of an early check-in, even if it involved an extra fee. The woman who answered was surprisingly rude, dismissing the request outright but mentioning we could leave our luggage in a designated area if needed. I then agreed to that.|On the day of our stay, I called again at 1:59 PM to confirm dropping off our bags before the 3 PM check-in. She informed us we’d have to wait because the person with access to the building was on lunch break. We then waited at a nearby cafe for an hour.|When we finally gained entry, we were shocked to discover there was no secure luggage storage, just an open hallway near the elevator, completely exposed to anyone entering the building. I called the woman back to clarify, asking if they would take responsibility in case something happened. Her response was outright hostile: she refused any accountability, insisting that the hallway was our only option.|I told her that misleading guests about luggage storage was not right and that I’d include this in my Booking.com review to warn others. She got very angry shouting that she would cancel our reservation then hung up on me. True to her word, our booking was revoked, forcing us to look for last-minute accommodations.|To make matters worse, she filed a false complaint with Booking.com, accusing us of misconduct. Neither I nor the Booking agent could reach her afterwards, she simply ignored all calls.|This woman has no business working in customer service. Thankfully, after a 1 hour call with Booking.com, we found a far better place in a prime location, but the stress and disrespect were completely unnecessary.|Avoid this property at all costs—and any others managed by the same company (Fadas Ponderadas, +351 939583178). Poor service is...

Well firstly I can't counter the earlier "Terrible ' review left about the fabulous facility strongly enough. A patron falling in an apartment is no fault of the owner is it. I am surprised that TA authenticated the review to be honest. ||The staff controlling Esmeralda apartments I found to be courteous and extremely helpful. |Upon arrival at Maderia airport I was met by a driver as per my request, he was a proper taxi driver in a licenced yellow cab he drove us speedily and safely to the apartments, Funchal can be busy during the midday period abd parking was difficult, but we decamped and went to the apartments. |The main door has a security access system and as we were a couple of hours ahead of the checking window we thought we may have to wait in the cafe below, I decided to call Mary on my cellphone, she answered immediately and told me 'wait, 'I get someone out to meet |you ' and she did, Patricia met us took us into building, into modern lift to our apartment told us everything, signed in, paid remainder of rental, upon leaving after 11 lovely days in Funchal / Maderia I just left the electronic key on the apartment breakfast bar and got in a Taxi to the airport, a very well appointed apartment with a nice view of the square and street below, you can even see the ocean through the gaps in the buildings opposite. |Great Aircon and WiFi and all free. |Fridge, 2 hob ceramic unit, microwave, flat floor shower, comfy beds, to be honest it ticks all the boxes and location to marina, supermarkets banks shops, is brilliant, ohh and the cafes bars, and lovely friendly...

Loation of the property is excellent. Small balcony overlooking a beautiful little square in the town center. There is a supermarket and ATM machines close by.||||The payment process is pretty abysmal, since they don't accept credit cards or Paypal, but only bank transfers. ||I had to lay down a 38 euro deposit up front, but this ended up costing me more than 40 euros extra (about 80 euros in total) in various bank fees, making the apartment much more expensive than I was led to believe from the listing on booking.com. ||Also the walls are pretty thin, and you can hear too much of what is going on next door and outside in the square. The refrigerator is noisy, and this makes sleep difficult, since it is placed close to the bed. Also there was a periodical screeching/whining noise coming from somewhere in the building - not inducive for sleep either. ||Be sure to bring...