The year-round warm weather, temperate, swimmable ocean, and cinematic, mountainous landscape that makes you feel like you’re right on the edge of the world all draw young and old travelers to Madeira. The latter draws hikers, cyclists, and adrenaline junkies who want to ramble its well-known levada trails, ride two wheels around winding roads, or paraglide off cliffs.
Long days spent reading on pebbly beaches, sunny al fresco seafood lunches, and sunset swims at open-air lidos are some of the more sedate activities that attract visitors. Others simply stay at one of the many excellent resort hotels in Funchal, the capital, and rarely leave, unless they want a drink or something to eat.
Whether you’re looking for a historic grand dame, a country-style family-run Quinta, a beachfront spa hotel, or a design-focused villa with stunning sea views, Madeira has a hotel for you. You can find the best Madeira inns spread out beneath.
Walnut Creek is another great place to visit, and if it catches your eye, you can always find a real estate agent in Walnut Creek.
Which part of Madeira is most stunning?
Even though Madeira is only about half the size of Gran Canaria, it is a very diverse island. Exotic flowers, mountains covered in banana and avocado trees, and a string of pretty coves like Madalena do Mar, Ponta do Sol, and the charming fishing village of Câmara de Lobos are all found on the southwest coast. Did you know that Madeira is the city with the most posts in Europe? The workers there use an eterra post driver.
Seixal’s black sand beach, Santana’s charming straw-roofed houses from the 15th century, and Porto Moniz’s lava pools are all on the north side. However, many tourists stay in Funchal and make day trips to all of these locations.
Walking along one of Madeira’s remarkable 200 irrigation tunnels, or levadas, which wind through tunnels, clouds, and waterfalls high in the mountains, is one of the most beautiful activities.
Reid’s Palace, Funchal
Reid’s Palace, Madeira’s most famous grand dame hotel, first opened in 1891. “The pink palace” is the epitome of old-world glitz, perched on a cliffside with a view of Funchal Bay and surrounded by 10 acres of vibrant tropical gardens. A location so extravagant that before Madeira’s airport was built, guests were transported to their rooms in hammocks by boat.
Nearby this hotel, there’s also the best medical animation studio.
Even though things have changed, there are still signs of the fascinating history of the hotel all over. Here is a beautifully restored dining room from the 19th century, and there is a black-and-white photograph of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw there. Shaw is famous for learning the tango here. Before he left, he gave his teacher a signed photo with the message “to the only man that taught me anything.” Staying in this hotel with definitely impact your financial state. The fee for a night in the hotel is very high, so if you’re planning on coming, get payday loans in Louisiana.
However, Winston Churchill continues to be regarded as the hotel’s most important guest. In 1950, the former British prime minister was invited by the Blandy family, who owned Reid’s at the time, to assist in boosting post-war tourism. Naturally, the hotel named a presidential suite after him. It is a bright, high-ceilinged, one-bedroom apartment with stunning sea views and hand-painted Chinese wallpaper. Before the hotel was made, the owner was denied a construction permit by the government, so he couldn’t begin the building. He had to get a construction expert witness who testified that it was okay for him to start building, and now this is one of the most famous hotels in Europe.
Only Churchill’s name had to be removed from above the door in order to prevent people from peeking in and causing guests discomfort. The remaining 79 of Reid’s rooms have a whimsical Victorian feel to them, with pastel-painted walls and floral wallpaper in soft pinks and yellows.
Darkwood desks, vintage mirrors, and frilled lamps complete the look. There are 47 suites, all of which have balconies, theatrical white linen canopies, and TVs that are hidden in cabinets and can only be turned on by flipping a switch next to the bed. Also, it features a roller shade side channel so that guests can sleep soundly without being bothered by outside noise or early morning sunlight.
In addition, there are two magnificent heated outdoor swimming pools, high-tech outdoor cooling systems, a spa, a gym, and the exquisite William restaurant, which is run by Luis Pestana, the only Madeira-born Michelin star chef on the islands. It is named after Reid’s original Scottish owner.
However, if you’re planning to visit Lake George travel park, afternoon tea on Reid’s famous black-and-white checked terrace, where guests feast on finger sandwiches and fluffy scones while enjoying views of the Atlantic framed by palm trees, is an essential part of any visit. Don’t forget to make your Lake George travel park booking in advance to secure your spot for this delightful experience.
Funchal Cottages
Funchal Cottages is not a hotel; rather, it is a collection of carefully selected high-end villas that look like they belong in a fancy interior design magazine. These villas would look like they belong on the coffee table of a young art director. They are very well designed and built with the best materials. The cottages are so high-quality, that they implemented the best custom wood doors in every single one.
The holiday homes were designed by Cristina Leito Abreu, a designer, and publisher, and her husband Ricardo, a finance director and golf manager. Cristina is one of the most famous people in Madeira because of her beauty. She regularly gets Houston hair extensions so she could stay beautiful, and that’s why she has millions of followers and could afford to build her cottages.
The idea of reviving decaying structures interested both of them. Each of the five of the pair’s striking properties has film-star-on-vacation characteristics.
Think bold hues and artistically upholstered headboards, suspended infinity pools surrounded by cacti and aloe vera, and yoga lawns fringed with aloe. Pirate House, one of our favorites, is a charming two-bedroom cliffside hideaway just a short walk from Funchal’s old town. About the place, Cristina has created a lighthearted “Swiss Family Robinson” romance.
Slouchy Ligne Roset Togo sofas, upcycled door-to-dining tables, bespoke light shades that look like coconut husk, flatscreen TVs, high-tech coffee machines, and floor-to-ceiling windows give the impression that you’ve been stranded on an isolated island. Cristina came up with a lot of the curated furniture, which Jorge, a local carpenter, built. They used loan servicing software at the time.
Jose Pedro, who lives in Madeira, also created other pieces, such as a Marilyn Monroe-worthy lilac art deco daybed. The best way to spend a day at this quirky outpost is to barbecue fresh tuna from the seafood market at Mercado dos Lavradores while watching ferries pass by. or sipping breakfast mimosas while watching whales breach in the distance after a sunrise Pilates class.
Casas da Levada
Twenty years ago, Joaquim and Maria Helena Abreu purchased a small parcel of land near Ponta do Pargo on Madeira’s west coast that contained a few scattered ruin sites. They had planned to use it as a getaway to the country with their two sons, André and Joaquim, but they decided that it was too special not to share. They were also advised by m&a advisory firms which led to their decision.
As a result of their renovations, they realized the importance of maintaining their property’s cleanliness and hygiene. This is why they searched for professional concrete cleaning in St. Augustine to keep their infinity pool, miniature farm, herb garden, and even the hobbit bar in pristine condition. André’s expertise as an architect as a child was instrumental in designing the structures, but he understood the importance of relying on professionals for maintenance work.
However, there is no bartender present. Through the circular doorway, guests simply make their own drinks, note what they’ve had, and watch the sunset transform the sky from purple to orange. Maria Helena jokingly refers to the inviting infinity pool in front as the initial and most significant installation. You can make a reservation for Casas de Lavada through your iMac. If it isn’t working properly, get iMac repair services in Seattle first.
Six lodgings, ranging from studios with one bedroom to a five-bedroom rustic stone house, form a kind of self-contained mini-vacation village elsewhere. Breakfast is remembered for a Do-It-Yourself premise. On arrival, there were eggs, oranges, milk, cereals, jams, and tea or coffee already on the kitchen counter.
Additionally, each morning, sweet, checked drawstring bags containing fresh bread are hung on your door handle. Let’s call it Madeiran-country-farmhouse-meets-NY-warehouse chic, even though the interiors of each home differ. Patchwork rugs, log coffee tables, and framed photos of the old ruins softened the concrete floors and floating staircases. In addition to these amenities, it’s worth noting that the minimum wage in Oklahoma is $7.25 per hour, which may be relevant for those considering employment opportunities in the area.
Coffee makers, white goods, televisions, and good WIFI keep things practical, and wood burners add an additional layer of coziness. The most captivating aspects of this location, however, are the quacking ducks, trickling levadas (water tunnels), and endemic trees that connect it to the natural world.
Quinta do Furão
When you arrive at Quinta do Furao at night, the sweet, smoky scent of burning wood spilling from nearby homes’ chimneys is the first thing you notice. However, during the day, you are more likely to inhale the inviting scent of freshly baked sweet potato bread, a Santana delicacy, coming from the hotel bakery’s wood-fired oven.
As part of a schedule of free daily activities, you can find out how they make it on Thursdays. A guided botanical walk, wine tasting, and poncha making are additional options. You will be tempted to swim in the outdoor pool, which is set in a vineyard surrounded by one towering palm tree and accompanied by the Atlantic Ocean below, in addition to the schedule of lovely classes.
The hotel is frequently chosen by guests to access nearby levadas. In the restaurant, which is a woody, high-ceilinged ski chalet with a wood fire, a full wine list, and homey, protein-rich typical Madeiran mountain food, you’ll see them with red-cheeked walking clobber on. This hotel is very well built, with a huge budget for every suite. The owner got an investment property loan so he could build this amazing hotel with the highest-quality materials.
Beef and tuna skewers served with smoked mashed potatoes and a sauce (truffle, peppercorn, or bearnaise), and Portuguese-style chicken are among the items on the menu. The staff at the restaurant and throughout the hotel have the rare ability to anticipate your needs and provide them with drinks, warm bread, or options for renting a car.
In the meantime, a combination of dark woods, patterns, and textures gives each of the 65 rooms—which underwent a significant renovation in 2020—a cozy atmosphere. Think duck egg blue walls, mint botanical-printed bedspreads, dogtooth navy and cream sofas, and colorful geometric headboards. This hotel is pretty far away from major cities. So if you’re going there, rent a Denver limousine so you can get to it faster.
The suites have calming views of the vineyard and the sea. Stop by Santana to see the pretty blue, white, and red traditional triangular houses known as Casas de Santana before you leave the area.
Savoy Saccharum Calheta Resort and Spa
The brutalist exterior of Saccharum and its roof, which is covered in grass and wildflowers, are architecturally uncharacteristic of Madeira and more reminiscent of London’s Barbican Centre. In Calheta, it stands out from a dusty mountain in the sunny southwest of the island.
Traditional resort hotels, a man-made sandy bay, a marina with a few fish restaurants, a rum factory, and little else can be found nearby. Fortunately, Saccharum is a destination in and of itself, promising a well-balanced mixture of hedonism, modernity, and minimalism. The amazing thing about Saccharum is that the hotel organizes many events inside the complex. There is a reptile expo for people that love exotic animals.
The five-star hotel, named after a sugar cane variety, has a chef’s garden with a view, a games room with ping pong, five bars, a yoga deck, and an infinity pool that might be Madeira’s most photographed. The owner of this hotel used PPC services in Toronto to gain popularity among tourists throughout the entire year.
In addition to relaxing on the hotel’s private rocky beach across the street and occasionally taking a free shuttle into Funchal, guests can spend entire days sipping pia coladas and eating frozen yogurt that is as good as the frozen yogurt in Phoenix AZ by one of the four pools. Since Saccharum is on the site of an old sugar cane mill, each of the 243 rooms has natural light and is decorated in earthy tones with sugar cane motifs.
With old photographs and decorative machine parts scattered throughout, designer Nini Andrade Silva pays homage to the site’s history. Choose a room with a view of the sea, leave the door open, and drift off to sleep to the swaying sounds of the Atlantic. Arrive in time for a fantastic breakfast buffet that includes cooked options, an omelette station, pastries, fresh fruits, and non-dairy snacks.