The best hotels in Madeira for 2024
Luxury, budget, sea view and Michelin-starred - these are the top Madeira hotels to check in to
Madeira may be small, but it’s packed with vibrant colours and beautiful scenery - and we've rounded up the best hotels in Madeira for you to explore the island.
The sunny Portuguese island is a subtropical gem known for its elegant public gardens, buzzing capital city Funchal, spectacular coastline and pretty villages. Its mild, year-round climate makes it a brilliant destination to visit in spring, through autumn and even into winter.
It's home to some magnificent hotels, from classic to trendy places to stay. Whether you'd like to enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea at the iconic Reid’s Palace, or gaze out to sea from the infinity pool at Saccharum Resort & Spa, Madeira's hotels are as impressive as the island itself.
Madeira is a gardener's paradise too, thanks to fertile volcanic soil and centuries of visiting sailors, so you can expect gorgeous outdoor spaces wherever you stay.
You’ll find everything from laurel forest to purple-blossomed jacaranda trees, orchids and bird of paradise plants on the island. As well as inspirational gardens, a holiday there is full of dramatic natural scenery, like the soaring peaks in the Valley of the Nuns, and the chance to try mouthwatering Madeiran delicacies like espetada - beef marinated in Madeiran wine, then grilled over smouldering wood chips.
So if you’re in the mood for a fun-packed break in Madeira this year, check out our selection of the island’s most irresistible hotels - from boutique boltholes to five-star retreats.
Hotel The Vine, Funchal
Right in the heart of Funchal – and with a rooftop pool that looks out across the bay – this ultra-modern luxury hotel draws design inspiration from Madeira’s world-class reputation for wine-making.
At The Vine, So The Terrace restaurant’s romantic outdoor space is surrounded by vines, with chic furniture that copies the twisting branches, while at Uva (Portuguese for grape) up on the roof, you can drink and dine with magical views. The theme continues in the spa, where you can enjoy treatments like a crushed grape seed body scrub or an antioxidant red wine bath.
Saccharum - Resort & Spa, Calheta
The perfect choice for a romantic couples’ break, Saccharum bills itself as a ‘Hedonist Design Resort’, and it definitely lives up to the name, offering a sophisticated but fun atmosphere right by Calheta Beach, one of the island’s few sandy stretches of coast.
Facilities in the spa are the main draw here, featuring a jacuzzi, Turkish bath, sauna, ice shower and Halotherapy room, plus a heated indoor pool. Then outside there’s a stylish contemporary terrace with shaded beds for sunbathing, and an infinity pool where you can watch mesmerising sunsets off Madeira’s south-west coast.
Quinta da Casa Branca, Sao Martinho
Set in beautiful botanical gardens in Funchal’s chic seaside suburb of Sao Martinho, Quinta Da Casa Branca is a stylish boutique hotel in the grounds of an old Manor House, which offers five luxury suites of its own. Bedrooms have private terraces and huge windows offering panoramic views of the gardens, where you’ll find an amazing array of fragrant and exotic plants including Indian rubber trees, banana trees, olive trees, African tulip trees and Norfolk pines.
Plus, there’s a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool surrounded by bougainvillaea, a health club, gym and spa, and a smart restaurant in the Manor House serving sophisticated Portuguese cuisine, as well as a less formal Garden Pavilion restaurant for breakfast, light lunches and afternoon tea.
Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Funchal
From its iconic chequerboard tile dining terrace, to its white liveried staff and ornate marble bathrooms, everything at Reid’s Palace is done with a touch of class. The island's most famous place to stay and known as Madeira's best hotel, it combines elegant interiors and first-class dining with a wealth of spaces to explore, relax or get active.
You can immerse yourself in a blaze of colour wandering through the hotel’s 10-acre gardens, lined with exotic plants from all around the world, re-vitalise and breathe in the soft sea air in the beautiful indoor-outdoor spa, and choose between three pools, a gym and tennis courts for a work out. Or, if you prefer, simply order a cocktail and admire the views!
PortoBay Serra Golf, Santo da Serra
Another glorious option for nature-lovers, Portobay Serra Golf is named after the island’s famous Santo da Serra Golf Course next door, and prides itself on its extensive and beautifully maintained gardens, featuring more than 90 varieties of colourful plants and flowers.
The hotel is a charming colonial-style house dating back to the 1920s, which has been lovingly restored with rich oak furniture, gorgeous fabrics and chic chandeliers, as well as the addition of a heated indoor pool, spa and gym. After a day exploring the stunning mountain landscapes all around you, head back to sample traditional Madeiran dishes in the hotel’s Avó Micas Restaurant.
Aqua Natura Madeira, Porto Moniz
Set in the pretty fishing village of Porto Moniz on the island’s north coast, Aqua Natura Madeira sits just above the area’s renowned natural rock pools, formed by volcanic lava millions of years ago. These are incorporated into the hotel’s spacious sun terrace, with a wellness centre and Jacuzzi perched above looking out across the sea.
The 25 rooms (twin or double) are modern and stylish, all with private balconies where you can enjoy more of those wonderful sea views, and the hotel’s three restaurants make the most of its enviable coastal location too, offering fresh seafood by the ocean down at Lapa Bay, or contemporary Japanese cooking right up on the roof.
The Cliff Bay, Funchal
One of Madeira’s finest resort hotels, the five-star Cliff Bay rises elegantly from a peninsula above Funchal and boasts unbeatable views of the sparkling Atlantic ocean, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa, tennis courts, private sea access, and Madeira’s only two Michelin star restaurant, Il Gallo d'Oro.
Overseen by French chef Benoît Sinthon since 2004, it presents artful Iberian dishes made with produce grown in the hotel’s own gardens – making the most of Madeira’s wonderful climate. Inside, the bedrooms are spacious, modern and comfortable, and all have private balconies that either overlook the gardens or offer spectacular views of the bay.
Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club, Santa Cruz
The main draw at this peaceful little hotel on Madeira’s east coast is without a doubt its outdoor sea-water pools, carved out of the cliffside of its 450 yard stretch of private seafront. At Albatroz Beach and Yacht Club, there’s also a third, heated pool at the hotel level, as well as a spacious sun terrace, smart lawns and grass tennis court.
The grown-up atmosphere continues inside, where you’ll find a library, spa and sauna, and light-filled rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, plus marble bathrooms stocked with Molton Brown toiletries. If you fancy eating in, Restaurant Hibiscus offers an a la carte menu at lunch and dinner with an extensive wine list, or head over to Funchal for Portuguese fine dining at the hotel’s sister restaurants Casa Velha and the Dona Amélia.
Sé Boutique Hotel, Funchal
Ideal for really getting to know Madeira’s lively capital, Sé Boutique Hotel is right by Funchal Cathedral and its historic Old Town, where you’ll find plenty of atmospheric bars and restaurants to explore.
As well as its fantastic location, the hotel has a small indoor pool, a spa and a cute rooftop terrace for soaking up the sun. The bedrooms are light and contemporary, but the décor in the public rooms is far more striking – featuring artworks from the hotel’s private collection and carefully selected antique furniture.
Quinta da Bela Vista, Funchal
The family-owned Quinta da Bela Vista in Funchal is a country-house hotel within a 19th-century manor and its acreage. The latter consists of walled gardens, a palm-lined pool and pristine lawns. True to the historic setting, there are lots of antiques and artworks gracing the estate.
Many of the rooms, which are spread across two buildings, have balconies so you can enjoy the bucolic backdrop over an alfresco breakfast. Many of the staff have worked at the quinta for several years and their love of the property shows in their charming, friendly service.
Hotel Quinta Do Furão, Santana
Quinta do Furão has been a popular restaurant for three decades now – the retreat started out as just a restaurant, with rooms added due to popular demand. The locals love it for the smart Sunday lunches in the traditional restaurant, which has an open fire and rustic brick walls and sloping wooden ceilings.
For out-of-towners, it’s an excellent cliff-top base on Madeira’s spectacular north coast. Guests can enjoy the views of the emerald green shoreline and Atlantic Ocean from balcony-enhanced bedrooms.
Castanheiro, Funchal
In the capital of Madeira Funchal, Castanheiro is formed from five historic buildings near the Palace of Jesuits in the city’s protected zone. The oldest, which was once an atelier, dates back to the 18th century; there’s also the 19th-century mansion of a wealthy mercantile family and various centres of 20th-century industry, including typography and embroidery HQs.
There’s a lap pool with a view of the Bay of Funchal and the location is perfect for exploring the centre, since it’s close to the main museums and lots of restaurants and bars, too.
Savoy Palace, Funchal
Moments from Zona Velha, Funchal's atmospheric cobblestoned Old Town, The Savoy Palace – one of The Leading Hotels in the World – is super-swish built on the site of the old Savoy Hotel. It's a short stroll from Museu CR7, a museum dedicated to Madeira football hero, Ronaldo, while Blandy's Wine Lodge and Sé Cathedral are a little further. And, if you fancy just relaxing at the hotel, as many do, the rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic is a highlight.
All of the 300-plus rooms and suites are light, spacious and stylish with neutral tones and contemporary detailing. Almost all have private balconies with views over the sea or the city. Our favourites are the Pool Ocean suites, which have wraparound balconies and private plunge pools.
Casa Velha do Palheiro, Sao Goncalo
High up in the hills overlooking Funchal, Casa Velha do Palheiro by Relais & Chateaux is a quiet, elegant base to explore the island. Built in 1885, the hotel was originally a hunting lodge for Joao José Xavier, the First Count of Carvalhal. Guests have free access to the Palheiro Gardens next door, while golfers will love playing the Palheiro, widely regarded as one of the most spectacular golf courses in Europe.
All of the rooms and suites are beautifully decorated in a grand, country house manner, and all have gorgeous garden views. After exploring the island, relax by the outdoor pool or enjoy a treatment in the spa. Don't miss dinner in the esteemed Casa Velha Dining Room, which serves an exquisite tasting menu of local specialities.
Quinta Jardins do Lago, Funchal
Tucked away in private botanical gardens in the hills behind Funchal, Quinta Jardins do Lago is one of the most beautiful quintas on the island. It's a mile into the city centre – the hotel provides a shuttle bus – but many come to enjoy the serene gardens for a quiet getaway in the sun. Relax by the outdoor pool under the shade of mango trees, learn about the 500 varieties of plants, and say hello to Colombo, the giant Galapagos tortoise who resides here.
All of the rooms and suites are decorated in a traditional manner – think warm soothing tones and polished wood, some even have four-poster beds – all overlook the gardens. A highlight of any stay is dinner in the historic Beresford Restaurant, which features antique furnishings from the Napoleonic wars.
Socalco Nature, Calheta
Up in the gorgeous green-carpeted cliffs of Calheta, this bucolic gem of a hotel has made a name for itself as a gastronomic destination. Chef Octávio Freitas is the brains behind it, devoted to his mission to enhance the reputation of Madeira's regional cuisine while creating a lovely place to stay.
He succeeds in this worthwhile aim by inviting guests to 'get their hands dirty' by taking part in cooking classes, foodie tours and wine days. A morning here might be spent making fresh bread and jams, picking vegetables and herbs, or simply taking in the fabulous sea views and chirping birds. Rooms and villas are spread out across limestone paths and sensitively designed to blend in with the striking landscape.
Yeotown Madeira, Calheta
Most guests agree that this wellness retreat in Madeira's relaxed, sun-dappled south is a magical place to stay. In this quaint yet well-appointed 400-year-old farmhouse, Yeotown Madeira's owners offer five-day programmes to help guests feel calmer, clearer and more energised.
This is achieved through wild swimming, hikes through the dramatic landscape, yoga in the gentle rays of the sun and blissfully rebalancing massages – among many other highlights on offer here. Healthy, farm-to-table food helps to enhance the wellbeing boost, as does the infinitely restorative ocean-facing setting. And the rustic chic rooms serve as the perfect nest from which to fully imbibe all that this memorable retreat provides.
Hotel Cajú, Funchal
Perched on Rua da Carreira, one of the oldest streets in Funchal, Hotel Cajú is within easy reach of Sé Cathedral, Mercado do Lavradores and the Madeira Botanical Garden. Housed in an ornate 19th-century building, it brings a bijou-chic style to the capital with its original stonework, polished wood and lush interior foliage designed by Nini Andrade Silva. For a small fee, guests are allowed to use the extensive facilities of sister hotel, The Vine.
The house style extends to the 24 rooms and a suite. All are stylishly decorated and flooded with light thanks to huge windows, the best have Juliet balconies and views over the street. A huge and healthy breakfast is served in Prima Cajú, the hotel's all-day restaurant, which will set you up for a day of exploring.
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