Four Views Baia

Four Views Baia, a sleek 11-floor building tucked against a cliffside, is almost impossible to miss while driving up the winding road. It’s among the only modern buildings on the hillside, with curved glass around the lower part of its facade. Electronic glass doors below a striking wood portico lead to a vestibule illuminated by pillars glowing with orange light. The vibe throughout is modern, with industrial grays and wood plus black and orange accents. The outdoor pool has stunning sea views, and guests are often found here, dozing or reading underneath orange umbrellas that match the distant Funchal rooftops. The hotel's position towering over Funchal means there’s hardly a spot with a bad view. Even the elevator banks have floor-to-ceiling windows that provide bay views. The hotel also employs several “green” features, including solar-thermal energy and recycling bins in rooms. Recycled water and compost are used for the vegetable garden. Despite the upmarket features, the hotel has a relaxed mood and a clientele of mostly older couples, many from Germany and the United Kingdom. 

The hotel is positioned on a cliff overlooking Funchal's old town and Fortaleza do Pico. The winding street to the hotel is busy, but there are narrow sidewalks for those who want to walk to town. It's about a 15-minute walk down a steep hill to the museums and sights in town, including Avenida Arriaga (a picturesque boulevard), Baltazar Dias Theatre, and Cathedral of Funchal. It's a five-minute walk (or drive) to Casino Madeira and a 15-minute walk or three-minute drive to Marina Funchal, with ferries to Porto Santo Island. Lido Tours offers trips to the Levadas (irrigation channels with stunning views) and is a five-minute drive away. By car it’s 10 to 15 minutes to the Madeira Botanical Gardens and Monte Cable Car. Madeira Airport is about a 20-minute drive. 

The hotel has 261 Rooms, Suites, and Studios with balconies or terraces, many of which have sea views. Rooms are bright and spacious, with rattan chairs by floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary furniture, wooden floors, and oversized colorful flower photography. Orange and black are used as accent colors in bedside lamps and wall art, as well as in some furnishings. Built-in wood headboards and closets, and cream-colored walls nicely counterbalance the bold colors and art.

All rooms have flat-screen TVs, minibars with soft drinks and water, coffee/tea facilities, and safes. Refills of coffee and tea supplies and use of safes are only free for Suites, Studios, and Superior Rooms. Suites and Superior Rooms receive welcome snacks as well as turndown service. Spacious bathrooms are modern, done in earth-tone tile and pale-yellow walls. They have makeup mirrors, showers or shower/tub combos, and bathrobes and slippers.

Spacious layouts are similar across the board, but Superior Rooms are on the top four floors, so they have better views than Standard Rooms. Studios have kitchenettes (with two-burner cooktops) and living rooms. But nothing trumps the ultra-modern Suites, with kitchenettes, spacious living rooms, whirlpool tubs, and the best views from sprawling rooftop terraces.

The Bay View Restaurant, which has gorgeous bay views, serves international buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a la carte Mediterranean cuisine. Reasonable half-board rates are available and breakfast is free, though gets so-so reviews. The poolside Deck Bar has light meals and cocktails, and for live entertainment and late-night cocktails, there’s the Woogie Boogie Cocktail Bar. The mini-market sells snacks and souvenirs. 

The outdoor pool is a big draw among guests and includes a separate kiddy pool and a good number of lounge chairs arranged in rows. Four Feelings Spa has an indoor heated pool with wraparound windows and a modern gym with cardio machines and free weights. But guests must pay extra fees to access these facilities (except for those in Suites and Superior Rooms). Standard beauty and body treatments are also available in the spa, which also has a sauna and a hammam. Guests can play pool in the game room at no extra charge, but outdoor paddle tennis is subject to fees. Two meeting rooms can be booked for gatherings, respectively fitting up to 210 and 142 people. Two computers and a printer are handy for guests who need get work done, though also come with fees. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.