Sao Rafael Atlantico is a contemporary four-pearl hotel with a scenic spot overlooking the sea, about a 10-minute drive west of Albufeira's old town. Style is a major step up from much of its Albufeira competition, though fees can add up. The hotel has direct access to Sao Rafael Beach and also features two outdoor pools, a children's pool, kids' club, fitness center, and spa with thermal pools, sauna, and Turkish bath. The hotel also has several restaurants and bars. The 149 upscale rooms have a simple, minimalistic look, though we spotted some wear. They come with minibars, Nespresso machines, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Travelers looking for a less expensive hotel in this area might consider the nearby Baia Grande, though it's more dated.
Sao Rafael Atlantico is a contemporary four-pearl hotel with a scenic spot overlooking the sea, about a 10-minute drive west of Albufeira's old town. Style is a major step up from much of its Albufeira competition, though fees can add up. The hotel has direct access to Sao Rafael Beach and also features two outdoor pools, a children's pool, kids' club, fitness center, and spa with thermal pools, sauna, and Turkish bath. The hotel also has several restaurants and bars. The 149 upscale rooms have a simple, minimalistic look, though we spotted some wear. They come with minibars, Nespresso machines, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Travelers looking for a less expensive hotel in this area might consider the nearby Baia Grande, though it's more dated.
The Baia Grande is a solid upper-middle-range resort hotel overlooking the Atlantic, two miles from the center of Albufeira. Although the hotel is a little off the beaten track, there is a beach within a 10-minute walk, and there's a free bus into town. Facilities are extensive enough, and include two restaurants, bars, and pools (there's no fitness center or spa). Rooms are clean with modern bathrooms and some have ocean views, but they're not particularly large and decor is bland. Guests might also want to consider the similar Vila Gale Atlantico.
The Baia Grande is a solid upper-middle-range resort hotel overlooking the Atlantic, two miles from the center of Albufeira. Although the hotel is a little off the beaten track, there is a beach within a 10-minute walk, and there's a free bus into town. Facilities are extensive enough, and include two restaurants, bars, and pools (there's no fitness center or spa). Rooms are clean with modern bathrooms and some have ocean views, but they're not particularly large and decor is bland. Guests might also want to consider the similar Vila Gale Atlantico.
This four-pearl, 45-room upscale hotel has a quiet clifftop location in Santana, a small village on Madeira's northeast coast. It's great for walkers, as it's close to levadas and trails like Pico Ruivo, and it has a relaxed, away-from-it-all atmosphere. Attractive rooms and suites are set within five acres of organic gardens, and the hotel is traditionally decorated with rustic furnishings. There's an indoor/outdoor pool and full-service spa for relaxing, plus a fitness center and games room. The hotel's acclaimed restaurant has a unique cliffside setting with dramatic views of the coastline, and serves gourmet cuisine with garden-sourced ingredients. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free. For an alternative that's closer to civilization, Quinta da Casa Branca has a more central location within walking distance to Funchal's bars and restaurant.
This four-pearl, 45-room upscale hotel has a quiet clifftop location in Santana, a small village on Madeira's northeast coast. It's great for walkers, as it's close to levadas and trails like Pico Ruivo, and it has a relaxed, away-from-it-all atmosphere. Attractive rooms and suites are set within five acres of organic gardens, and the hotel is traditionally decorated with rustic furnishings. There's an indoor/outdoor pool and full-service spa for relaxing, plus a fitness center and games room. The hotel's acclaimed restaurant has a unique cliffside setting with dramatic views of the coastline, and serves gourmet cuisine with garden-sourced ingredients. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are both free. For an alternative that's closer to civilization, Quinta da Casa Branca has a more central location within walking distance to Funchal's bars and restaurant.
The Hotel Aldeia da Fonte is an upscale, eco-friendly resort set in lush tropical grounds on the edge of cliffs overlooking Pico Island's rugged south coast. Some of the rooms, which include studio-style apartments, units with separate living areas, and a few rooms with kitchenettes, feature sea views -- and whale-watching opportunities -- but rooms on lower floors can feel a little damp during wetter months, and beds are on the firm side. Standout features include an ocean-view swimming pool and direct access to the sea and a natural rock pool. All in all, for a relaxed hotel surrounded by nature, this one ticks the right boxes.
The Hotel Aldeia da Fonte is an upscale, eco-friendly resort set in lush tropical grounds on the edge of cliffs overlooking Pico Island's rugged south coast. Some of the rooms, which include studio-style apartments, units with separate living areas, and a few rooms with kitchenettes, feature sea views -- and whale-watching opportunities -- but rooms on lower floors can feel a little damp during wetter months, and beds are on the firm side. Standout features include an ocean-view swimming pool and direct access to the sea and a natural rock pool. All in all, for a relaxed hotel surrounded by nature, this one ticks the right boxes.
Sitting among tidily manicured lawns, the three-pearl Terceira Mar Hotel is a stone’s throw from the ocean, which all of its 139 dated but clean rooms overlook. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Silveira Beach, and a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride to the center of Angra do Heroismo. On-site features include a simple spa offering massages, a sauna, and well-equipped gym, a bright indoor pool, and a large outdoor saltwater pool with adjacent kiddy pool and gorgeous vistas. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner to positive reviews. Though in need of a contemporary update, rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more stylish place to stay might want to check out the Aparthotel Atlântida Mar, on the Praia da Vitoria.
Sitting among tidily manicured lawns, the three-pearl Terceira Mar Hotel is a stone’s throw from the ocean, which all of its 139 dated but clean rooms overlook. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Silveira Beach, and a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride to the center of Angra do Heroismo. On-site features include a simple spa offering massages, a sauna, and well-equipped gym, a bright indoor pool, and a large outdoor saltwater pool with adjacent kiddy pool and gorgeous vistas. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner to positive reviews. Though in need of a contemporary update, rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more stylish place to stay might want to check out the Aparthotel Atlântida Mar, on the Praia da Vitoria.
The 28-room Atlantida Mar is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property set in a quiet area across the road from the coastline, a five-minute drive from the center of Praia da Vitoria. Rooms have a bright and modern, if simple design, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and shower/tub combos. Junior Suites add kitchenettes and living spaces. On-site features include a sleek ocean-view outdoor pool with adjacent above-ground hot tub, a sauna, playground, and gym. There's no full restaurant, but a bar serves snacks and all rates include buffet breakfasts with bread and pastries, eggs, pancakes, cold meats and cheeses, and yogurt, plus well-regarded coffee. Although not as modern, it's worth comparing rates with Terceira Mar Hotel in nearby Angra do Heroísmo, which has a restaurant serving regional and international fare, and a spa offering massage treatments.
The 28-room Atlantida Mar is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property set in a quiet area across the road from the coastline, a five-minute drive from the center of Praia da Vitoria. Rooms have a bright and modern, if simple design, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and shower/tub combos. Junior Suites add kitchenettes and living spaces. On-site features include a sleek ocean-view outdoor pool with adjacent above-ground hot tub, a sauna, playground, and gym. There's no full restaurant, but a bar serves snacks and all rates include buffet breakfasts with bread and pastries, eggs, pancakes, cold meats and cheeses, and yogurt, plus well-regarded coffee. Although not as modern, it's worth comparing rates with Terceira Mar Hotel in nearby Angra do Heroísmo, which has a restaurant serving regional and international fare, and a spa offering massage treatments.
One of the main draws of this upscale hotel is its location in the stunning Terra Nostra Botanical Park, which encompasses 31 acres of gorgeous gardens studded with different species of flowers and trees. Guests have free access to the garden's geothermic pool, and other on-site wellness features include two outdoor thermal whirlpools, a lovely indoor pool, and a spa with saunas and steam rooms. There's a restaurant on-site that serves tasty (but pricey) Azorean fare -- and breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel dates back to the 1930s and its chic interiors and 86 guest rooms reflect an Art Deco style. All rooms have private balconies and flat-screen TVs. For an alternative, the four-pearl Furnas Lake Villas offers modern Scandi-style bungalows with kitchens and living rooms.
One of the main draws of this upscale hotel is its location in the stunning Terra Nostra Botanical Park, which encompasses 31 acres of gorgeous gardens studded with different species of flowers and trees. Guests have free access to the garden's geothermic pool, and other on-site wellness features include two outdoor thermal whirlpools, a lovely indoor pool, and a spa with saunas and steam rooms. There's a restaurant on-site that serves tasty (but pricey) Azorean fare -- and breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel dates back to the 1930s and its chic interiors and 86 guest rooms reflect an Art Deco style. All rooms have private balconies and flat-screen TVs. For an alternative, the four-pearl Furnas Lake Villas offers modern Scandi-style bungalows with kitchens and living rooms.
The upper-middle-range Villa Termal das Caldas de Monchique Spa & Resort is a family-friendly wellness property popular for its healing thermal waters and nature-filled setting. The 105 rooms are clean and comfortable -- if a bit underwhelming -- with mini-fridges, dated tube-style TVs, and hairdryers. The resort consists of five 19th-century buildings with simple antique decor to match. The spa offers thermal water treatments, a sauna, heated pool, Turkish bath, small gym with decent machines, and wellness programs. There are also free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, rustic wine bar, an outdoor pool, and an honesty bar. Wi-Fi is free but only works in reception and restaurant areas. For travelers looking for a bit more modernity but wanting to keep the seclusion, the nearby (though more expensive) Morgado Golf & Country Club might fit the bill.
The upper-middle-range Villa Termal das Caldas de Monchique Spa & Resort is a family-friendly wellness property popular for its healing thermal waters and nature-filled setting. The 105 rooms are clean and comfortable -- if a bit underwhelming -- with mini-fridges, dated tube-style TVs, and hairdryers. The resort consists of five 19th-century buildings with simple antique decor to match. The spa offers thermal water treatments, a sauna, heated pool, Turkish bath, small gym with decent machines, and wellness programs. There are also free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, rustic wine bar, an outdoor pool, and an honesty bar. Wi-Fi is free but only works in reception and restaurant areas. For travelers looking for a bit more modernity but wanting to keep the seclusion, the nearby (though more expensive) Morgado Golf & Country Club might fit the bill.