Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira

Elle Linton2 years ago

4/5

I finally made it here for afternoon tea on my second visit. Highly recommend booking in advance which is very easy via their website. It also makes it easy to inform them of any food allergies. I would have given this experience 5 stars had they had a better welcome system. When you arrive at the hotel you’re asked to take a seat in a lounge where someone comes to check you in then seats you at your table. We arrived bright and early, maybe the third group, yet because the woman doing the checking in chose to ignore us, we were pretty much the last to be seated. Had I not called her over, I guess we’d still be sat there waiting. Edit to add after thinking about this further: I don’t know why she ignored us but none of the reasons I can think of are good ones. Did she think we didn’t look like any of the names on her list? Did she assume we hadn’t booked? Does she just unconsciously / consciously not acknowledge people of colour? Because she definitely saw us and chose not to engage. Anyway, the rest of the team and service thankfully was great and made us forget the poor welcome (for the time being). The food is simple but good and the tea is tasty, of which they are very generous. The views are stunning even on a cloudy day and you’re able to take a walk in the gardens (they have 8acres of land) if you wish.