Enotel Baia

Enotel Baia has a quiet atmosphere and breathtaking beachfront location, making it ideal for tourists who want to get away from it all. Nestled between two cliffs in a picturesque bay, the hotel faces the Atlantic Ocean and sits across the road from a small pebbled beach and a promenade lined with palm trees. At first glance, the hotel looks fairly traditional, yet interiors are quite modern. The lobby is bright and homey, decorated with neutral tones, cozy seating areas, simple dark wood furnishings, and oversized vases with decorative bamboo sticks. Most communal areas are geared toward relaxation, including the spacious outdoor terrace with sun loungers that look out to gorgeous ocean views. The hotel is popular with tourists and couples, most of whom are attracted to the peaceful ambience and romantic seaside setting. 

The hotel is situated in tranquil Ponta Del Sol, a sleepy seaside village that's removed from the island's big resorts. There's not much in terms of activities in the village, but the property sits just opposite the pebbled Ponta Del Sol Beach. A few taverns, cafes, shops, and bars can be found within walking distance. The village is known for its high-quality local restaurants that serve fresh fish and traditional Madeiran dishes. To further explore the island, travelers should consider renting a car. Praia de Calheta, one of the island's few sandy beaches, is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, while the historic capital city of Funchal is a 30-minute drive away. Madeira's airport is roughly 40 minutes away by car.

Enotel Baia is a small property, with just 69 rooms. Room types don't vary much, though some add furnished balconies with striking ocean views. Rooms without balconies have floor-to-ceiling windows with views of either the sea and bay, or an ancient 15th-century church. All rooms are spacious and modern, with soft hues, light wood-laminate floors, fresh white linens, dark wood furniture, seaside-themed wall prints, and seating areas with wicker chairs. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, phones, and safes, but there are no electric kettles and -- more disappointingly -- there is no Wi-Fi, which may be an issue for some. White tiled bathrooms are clean, but a little outdated, equipped with shower/tub combos, bidets, tube hairdryers, and toiletries.

Enotel Baia has a surprising number of facilities for such a small property. There's a sleek indoor swimming pool that's great during the winter months, and a modern fitness center with a few cardio machines and weights that are sufficient for a basic workout. Bay Restaurant serves typical Madeiran cuisine in a relaxed setting, though it gets mixed reviews and there are plenty of good local restaurants within walking distance. There's an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining, and a bar on the ground floor that serves beers, wines, and cocktails. A breakfast buffet is free for all guests and includes generous hot and cold options such as eggs, bacon, cereals, pastries, and pancakes. All-inclusive rates are available, though some guests find that food options become repetitive and that certain drink selections -- like wine -- are limited. Half-board rates are also offered. Room service is available, but it's not offered around the clock. Other amenities include a billiards table in the lobby, laundry services, airport transfers (for a fee), and free underground parking. Wi-Fi is free, but it's only available in the lobby.