This was our 7th stay at this fantastic hotel which tells you everything you need to know about it and the amazing staff are what make it what it is. The location is in a quiet part of Caniço, a 15 min run from the airport and a 20 min free shuttle bus ride into Funchal, the beautiful city of Madeira. The rooms are spacious and well maintained on a daily basis. Beds are comfortable. The food is varied and plentiful with sufficient choice to suit all tastes. The reasonable wines served at lunch and dinner are regularly topped up by the attentive staff. The entertainment is of a good standard and some acts are indeed pretty slick and professional so are worth a look. As a rule, I don’t usually mention individual staff members but I will make an exception in this case. Duarte, who is front of house in the Kulinarium gourmet restaurant, is a great asset to this hotel with his professionalism and attention to detail. (This restaurant is a must - book in advance) Fernanda, Monica and Maurico in the main restaurant are a credit to this Riu as well, all of whom welcoming, friendly and extremely good at their jobs. We are lucky enough to have been able to travel widely and I have to say that these people are the main reason we keep returning to this hotel, as they are the best staff we have experienced anywhere. The negative reviews you may read are, in my opinion, not warranted so please give the Riu Madeira a go. We will certainly be back.