Golden Residence Apartment Hotel is a four-pearl resort located on the outskirts of Funchal. The property has attractive, modern decor and boasts stunning ocean views from its perch high above the water. All 142 units have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles, and private balconies, but beds are two twin mattresses pushed together, and bathrooms lack toiletries. Suites and Apartments add living rooms and kitchenettes. The rooftop terrace and garden promenade are among the resort's top features, and there's an outdoor pool, a spa, a gym, and free breakfast. No direct beach access and a hike into town are drawbacks. Though dated by comparison, travelers seeking a beachfront hotel may wish to consider Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel. 

The upper-middle-range, 198-room Porto Mare features a plethora of on-site facilities and dining options, as it sits in the center of the Vila Porto Mare resort complex. The hotel is close to Lido Promenade and free shuttles run into Funchal's old town multiple times a day, but the closest beach is roughly a 30-minute walk away. Though there are ample restaurants and shops nearby, guests may be content to stay at the hotel, as there are an array of pools -- both indoors and outdoors -- a kids' club, and sports facilities. Earth-tone rooms have flat-screen TVs, docking stations, and mini-fridges, while suites add kitchenettes. Some areas are looking a bit dated, but overall, it provides a solid stay for couples and families. Couples may prefer the more modern and stylish Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel.

The Cliff Bay (Porto Bay) is a luxury hotel with a striking cliff-side setting overlooking the Atlantic, a bit more than a mile from Funchal's city center. It's home to Madeira’s only Michelin-star restaurant, two swimming pools (one freshwater, one saltwater, and a kiddy pool), and a luxe spa. The 200 rooms are pleasant, bright, and spacious, and most have balconies with superb ocean views. The resort as whole is well-oiled with plenty of polish, if not a huge amount of character. For that, travelers might want to check out the 18th-century Quinta Jardins do Lago -- far from the sea but set within lush botanical gardens.

The 163-room Belmond Reid’s Palace is a historic luxury hotel perched dramatically on a clifftop a short drive from the center of Funchal. Awash with antiques and period touches, this traditionally elegant property has lost little of its original 19th-century elegance -- though some might find the overall vibe a little stuffy. The classic vibe extends to the bright rooms, complete with furnished balconies or patios; some suites have kitchenettes. Stunning sea views are found from numerous vantage points, the property offers extensive dining options, and leisure facilities include several outdoor pools, lovely gardens with lounge chairs, outdoor tennis courts, and a spa. For top-notch amenities and sea views without the old-fashioned formality, check out The Cliff Bay nearby.

The 40-room Quinta Jardins do Lago is a refined luxury hotel set in a historic 18th-century mansion in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Funchal. While the hilltop setting is peaceful and affords distant sea views, it's a bit removed from most of the city's attractions. The hotel's botanical gardens, however, are truly impressive, with balconied guest rooms and terraced eateries taking full advantage of the wealth of flora. Facilities are excellent, with a heated pool and choice of casual or formal dining, as well as a fitness room, sauna, and hot tub. Rates, though, are pricey, and the Old World style won't be everyone's cup of tea. The Quinta Das Vistas Palace Gardens is a cheaper alternative and also offers stunning views, though it lacks this hotel's gardens.

The adult-only Porto Santa Maria Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl property popular for its amazing beachside location in the heart of Funchal's old town. There's plenty to do nearby: Some of the island's best restaurants are within walking distance, along with cultural and tourist attractions such as the marina and the famous Mercado dos Lavradores. On-site, there are an outdoor pool, rooftop terrance with a whirlpool, spa with indoor pool and treatment rooms, and a generally well-reviewed restaurant. The 146 rooms are comfortable, albeit with some dated furnishings, and equipped with kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor spaces -- some with sea views. It's worth comparing rates with Pestana Palms Ocean Aparthotel, which has a few more features, including an on-site diving school.

Fresh, style-conscious hotels like The Vine have helped create a younger vibe in Madeira in recent years. This 79-room, four-pearl hotel is done in urban-chic decor, with bold design that oozes glamour. It’s set above one of Funchal’s shopping complexes in the city center, allowing for easy sightseeing combined with relaxation on the swish rooftop terrace with heated infinity pool. The richly hued, wine-inspired rooms have amenities like air-conditioning and sometimes tricky touch-panel lighting, but views onto the hotel's atrium from some rooms are disappointing. A decadent spa solidifies the romantic, couples-centric vibe. For a cool, low-key city stay, it’s reasonably priced, but travelers looking for a more classic high-end hotel experience might prefer the Quintinha De Sao Joao, even though it’s 10 minutes farther from the center on foot.

The mid-range Pestana Miramar Garden Resort Aparthotel is situated between the Lido tourist area and Funchal's old town. Rooms are dated (think tube TVs and mismatched linens), but most have kitchenettes, pretty mosaic tables, and furnished outdoor spaces. In addition to having access to facilities at the sister property next door, guests can keep busy at an indoor and outdoor pool, spa offering treatments and a whirlpool, and a gym. For dining, the on-site restaurant serves excellent local cuisine, plus there are a cocktail bar and free breakfast buffet. It caters toward an older clientele, and doesn't have much for children. Families should consider the Pestana Carlton Madeira, which has a lot of kid-friendly features.

The 286-room Pestana Carlton Madeira is an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the Atlantic on the western side of Funchal. Along with some impressive dining and drinking options, the property has outstanding leisure facilities that include a total of four swimming pools. The addition of spa, child-friendly facilities, and direct access to the sea make this property appealing to a wide swath of travelers. Rooms are spacious with most offering sweeping sea views, though the style is a bit plain. All in all, guests get a lot for relatively low rates, though the same could be said for the Pestana Casino Park Hotel close by, which occupies an iconic building nearby and has similar features.

The Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel is an mid-range all-inclusive property set right on a popular stretch of Praia Formosa. Although not strictly apartments, all 217 rooms have kitchenettes and balconies, most with superb sea views. The decor is bold, but dated. Complaints typically focus on the very crowded buffet restaurant, though the hotel provides surprising extras like cocktail hours and free shuttles into Funchal. Pool and spa facilities are adequate, with plentiful loungers and a poolside whirlpool tub. There's also a grassy playground and a game room. Self-catering apartments with better child-friendly facilities (including a kids' pool, club, and entertainment) can be found at the Suite Hotel Eden Mar, where rates tend to be lower.