Savoy Calheta Beach

Formerly the Hotel Calheta Beach, the Savoy Calheta Beach Hotel's recent renovations significantly updated many of its common spaces, as well as its room decor (which also got new walk-in showers). The outdoor pool received a makeover and got a new pool bar, spaces like the fitness center and indoor pool were refreshed with new paint, and its main restaurant and lobby bar have all new contemporary furniture. The lobby has faux brick accents on walls and columns (with a faux whitewashed patina) and lounge areas are set with plush couches and chairs. A skywalk connects the main building to an annex across the street that houses the hotel's apartments. The busy atmosphere and all-inclusive rates make it a family-friendly option, though many guests choose to stay here just for the beach.

The hotel is located right on Calheta Beach, an artificial patch of yellow sand flanked by rocky break walls that form a lagoon on one side. On the other side, guests can reach the Lobosonda Whale Watching expeditions in a three-minute walk. There's a supermarket and a bank right across the street, and several shops and restaurants are within a short walk along the waterfront. The area is not served by public transportation, so many guests opt to rent a car. One of the few local attractions, the Casa das Mudas Arts Center, displays Portuguese modern art in a striking hilltop building overlooking the ocean, about a six-minute drive away. Funchal is just under a 40-minute drive away, and it's just under 50 minutes by car to Madeira Airport.  

The hotel's 114 units occupy two buildings, with rooms and suites in the main oceanfront building, and 10 apartments in an annex across the street. All have furnished balconies with views facing the ocean or mountains, but views from some of the apartments overlook the streets. The renovated rooms and suites have a contemporary beachfront decor in sandy hues and wall-sized photography depicting close-up details of shells. Standard Rooms have two twin beds or one king bed, with small sitting areas that have an armchair and tiny table. Free Wi-Fi comes standard, as do flat-screen TVs and minibars, but there's a daily fee for use of the in-room safes. The modern bathrooms have bidets and large walk-in rainfall showers. Suites feature living rooms with sofas, and most add kitchenettes. 

The hotel's beach provides easy access to sunbathing on a man-made patch of sand between rocky break walls, as well as water sports like canoeing and windsurfing. The outdoor pool faces the ocean with a typical sun deck, along with an adjacent pergola covered terrace that has more loungers and a few daybeds. There's a small outdoor playground nearby with a slide and some play equipment spread across a narrow grassy plot. The spa features a small indoor pool, along with several treatment rooms, a sauna, and a Turkish bath. An adjacent fitness center has modern cardio machines and weight equipment. 

For dining, all-inclusive rates cover meals and most beverages (premium alcohol is an extra fee). Onda Azul Restaurant serves Madeiran cuisine and Calheta Restaurant is an all-day buffet with themed dinners. In the lobby, the causal Bar Rabacal has a pool table and regular live music. There's also a pool bar and a beach bar; both serve snacks. All the restaurant and bar areas have great terraces, with seating and shade umbrellas. There are also two meeting rooms with a combined seating capacity of 92 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.