Quintinha Sao Joao is a four-pearl boutique property designed to recreate the experience of staying in a traditional Portuguese manor house. Perched on a hill in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests are a 15-minute walk from downtown Funchal. All 42 air-conditioned rooms are large with firm mattresses, garden-view balconies, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. While the spa and heated indoor and outdoor pool areas have a contemporary look, the rest of the hotel's antique decor has a dated though welcoming and homey feel to it. Expect lots of freebies, from a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi to all-day snacks and downtown shuttle. The main bar offers happy hour and live piano music, while the restaurant serves Goan-focused dishes. Travelers looking for more modern digs should consider the nearby and slightly cheaper Four View Baia.
Quintinha Sao Joao is a four-pearl boutique property designed to recreate the experience of staying in a traditional Portuguese manor house. Perched on a hill in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests are a 15-minute walk from downtown Funchal. All 42 air-conditioned rooms are large with firm mattresses, garden-view balconies, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. While the spa and heated indoor and outdoor pool areas have a contemporary look, the rest of the hotel's antique decor has a dated though welcoming and homey feel to it. Expect lots of freebies, from a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi to all-day snacks and downtown shuttle. The main bar offers happy hour and live piano music, while the restaurant serves Goan-focused dishes. Travelers looking for more modern digs should consider the nearby and slightly cheaper Four View Baia.
The Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa is an upscale chain hotel with stylish contemporary interiors set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its Lido neighborhood is pleasant and largely residential, with restaurants, a pebble beach, and the coastal promenade within easy reach. However, it's a 15-minute drive from Funchal's center. Most of the 220 understated rooms feature sea views, with some higher balconies providing superb panoramas. Indoor and outdoor pools, decent dining, and a deluxe spa combine to make this hotel a great pick for vacationing couples. However, families with kids should look elsewhere -- the nearby Four Views Monumental Lido is a good option that offers a kids' club and nightly entertainment.
The Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa is an upscale chain hotel with stylish contemporary interiors set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its Lido neighborhood is pleasant and largely residential, with restaurants, a pebble beach, and the coastal promenade within easy reach. However, it's a 15-minute drive from Funchal's center. Most of the 220 understated rooms feature sea views, with some higher balconies providing superb panoramas. Indoor and outdoor pools, decent dining, and a deluxe spa combine to make this hotel a great pick for vacationing couples. However, families with kids should look elsewhere -- the nearby Four Views Monumental Lido is a good option that offers a kids' club and nightly entertainment.
The Madeira Regency Cliff is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 59-room hotel set into the cliff face in Funchal's Lido area. The setting provides stunning ocean panoramas from all guest rooms, which are clean, modern, and have balconies. Sea views are also available at the two pools, as well as the bar and restaurant terraces, where free breakfast is served. A few restaurants are in walking distance, but the hotel is far from Funchal's historic center. A no-children policy makes it a particularly peaceful spot to enjoy the views, and most guests love having direct access to the pleasant coastal promenade. Swimmers, however, may be disappointed with the tiny pools and should consider the lti Pestana Grand Hotel just along the coast -- it has one of Madeira's largest outdoor saltwater pools.
The Madeira Regency Cliff is a three-and-a-half-pearl, 59-room hotel set into the cliff face in Funchal's Lido area. The setting provides stunning ocean panoramas from all guest rooms, which are clean, modern, and have balconies. Sea views are also available at the two pools, as well as the bar and restaurant terraces, where free breakfast is served. A few restaurants are in walking distance, but the hotel is far from Funchal's historic center. A no-children policy makes it a particularly peaceful spot to enjoy the views, and most guests love having direct access to the pleasant coastal promenade. Swimmers, however, may be disappointed with the tiny pools and should consider the lti Pestana Grand Hotel just along the coast -- it has one of Madeira's largest outdoor saltwater pools.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sensimar Savoy Gardens is an adult-only property that generally sees mature couples. The hotel is located up a steep hill, a 20-minute walk to town, but the strenuous hike back may require a taxi. There are gorgeous sea and city views throughout, particularly from the rooftop terrace and outdoor pool. The 119 rooms are generic and have some dated furnishings, but they're comfortable and equipped with mini-fridges and balconies. Other on-site features include a spa, outdoor games such as shuffleboard, two restaurants, and multiple bars. Families should consider the more kid-friendly Royal Savoy Hotel just across the road.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sensimar Savoy Gardens is an adult-only property that generally sees mature couples. The hotel is located up a steep hill, a 20-minute walk to town, but the strenuous hike back may require a taxi. There are gorgeous sea and city views throughout, particularly from the rooftop terrace and outdoor pool. The 119 rooms are generic and have some dated furnishings, but they're comfortable and equipped with mini-fridges and balconies. Other on-site features include a spa, outdoor games such as shuffleboard, two restaurants, and multiple bars. Families should consider the more kid-friendly Royal Savoy Hotel just across the road.
The three-pearl Orca Praia Hotel cuts a dramatic figure, seemingly hewn out of the cliffside that tumbles down to a beach with black volcanic sand. Inside, the 124 long and narrow rooms -- which get wider the farther down you go -- have large, furnished terraces looking out over the bay, but no air-conditioning or fridges. A steep sloping path passes through a garden dense with desert plants and leads to the beachfront pool, however, the incline may be difficult for those with mobility issues. A spa offers massages, a hydrotherapy tub, and steam room, while the restaurant serves local and international cuisine. There's not a ton in the immediate surrounding, so travelers looking to be closer to town might want to consider Enotel Lido Madeira.
The three-pearl Orca Praia Hotel cuts a dramatic figure, seemingly hewn out of the cliffside that tumbles down to a beach with black volcanic sand. Inside, the 124 long and narrow rooms -- which get wider the farther down you go -- have large, furnished terraces looking out over the bay, but no air-conditioning or fridges. A steep sloping path passes through a garden dense with desert plants and leads to the beachfront pool, however, the incline may be difficult for those with mobility issues. A spa offers massages, a hydrotherapy tub, and steam room, while the restaurant serves local and international cuisine. There's not a ton in the immediate surrounding, so travelers looking to be closer to town might want to consider Enotel Lido Madeira.
