Hotel itself is very nice. Small. Clean wonderful staff. You man at reception, sorry I didn't get your name, was amazing! So nice. Breakfast service way too slow. Not enough cooked in one go. Had to wait for food. Onto location. Situated just up from the park near The Ritz. Uphill which is fine. The downside was the unsavoury woman on the corner dealing most nights. It happens I understand that but later at night with the window open they got very noisy. It's not nice at 7.30/8 pm seeing young drug addicts collecting their fix. If you have children avoid is my advice. Such a shame because for the money it's a nice hotel.sorry we will not be returning.

This is a perfect illustration of how the star rating system for hotels is a list of items to check off more than an actual indication of hotel quality. I say this as this hotel is about a 3/5 despite officially being a four star hotel. Overall the staff are fine, but there's a sense that they're just kind of "there" at the moment as it seems they generally work for the more upscale Quinta Mirabela which is further up the hill. The placeware for breakfast also carries that hotel's logo. That wouldn't be a tremendous issue were it not for the fact it then makes this hotel seem like an afterthought. But what's really subpar is what's right there in the name, that "design" bit as it seems like this was perhaps an older two star hotel awhile back that the owners then slapped some "design" bits on in order to up the room price. The design is a bit haphazard at best and the bathroom is really a mess with this huge glass wall that allows FAR too much intimacy into what one person in a couple is doing. Maybe a coating of frosting on the glass at least halfway up would be an idea? You would be better suited using the bathrooms in the lobby were it not for the fact there's never soap in the dispenser and the sink only works if you hit it on the right spot (?!) The breakfast isn't bad overall. The coffee could use a different approach but there are a number of items to give a tropical flair to the setting and there are also hot items. Overall a decent place to stay but it definitely doesn't arrive to what I imagine a four star destination to be.

In general a nice place, great staff, good location. BUT: whoever designed the bathroom doors needs to be fired. What is the point of bathroom doors made of glass? You can see everything, you can hear everything, you can even smell everything. You could just have saved on the glass. I mean even couples need a moment of privacy for their bodily needs sometimes. I recommend using the bathroom at the reception for privacy.

Nice little hotel...not as advertised though...no bar or restaurant in the evening and a glass door to the bathroom...really guys

Excellent location in the strict city center. Calm, clean and tidy. Helpful staff. Access to Quinta Maribella hotel swimming pool (but it’s a bit far uphill and hotel bus shuttle doesn’t operate on weekends). Tasty breakfasts (you can also order lunches in advance). No balconies (pity, they put solar panels on the roof instead of sunbeds). Narrow local street can be surprisingly noisy in the night, so you’d better close the windows and use AC. Funchal Design Hotel rates four stars. Maryluz is the fifth – very warm, caring and helpful person. Thank you!