In the XVIII century, the English consul, Charles Murray, has bought a property south of the church of "Monte" and has transformed it into a beautiful Quinta, at the time called "Quinta do Prazer". At the end of the XIX century, some of the richest families of Madeira lived in beautiful Quintas located around the city of Funchal.

In 1987, Alfredo Guilherme Rodrigues, bought this Quinta and, inspired by the palaces by the Reno River he had visited, he built a residence with characteristics of a palace and later on, this Quinta was transformed into an hotel named Monte Palace Hotel.

Important Portuguese and foreign people stayed in this hotel, who enjoyed and delighted themselves with this splendorous place with a wonderful view over the city of Funchal and all the surrounding natural landscape.

From its last acquisition the "Jardim Tropical Monte Palace" has been continuously renovated with endemic exotic plants from several countries (Cicas and Proteas from South Africa, azaleas from Belgium, heathers from Scotland and so on) as well as indigenous plants from the Madeira's forests (Laurissilva, namely ferns, cedars, bay-trees, bay-trees from the Canary Islands, etc.). The gardens have also been enriched with Koy fishes in the existing lagoons. Two more lagoons were built with a capacity of 300.000 litres. These lagoons have a sophisticated filter and purifying systems, with no chemicals, therefore assuring an healthy habitat for the fishes, a splendid variety of colourful fishes.

The walks by the gardens are enriched with opulent ornaments, free-stone, windows, niches, pagodas, Buddhas and lanterns from different parts of the world and natural sculptures or lapidated stones.

Walking through the garden, we can enjoy the famous ceramic collection (XV-XX centuries) and a panel with 16 terracotta glazed tiles, which title is "The adventure of the Portuguese in Japan" , and a group of panels showing the Portugal History, including the most important Kingdoms and Republics.