33 Best Hotels in Madeira, Portugal

This friendly inn is a five-minute walk along a garden path to the old town and an easy stroll to Barreirinha Beach; each of the guest rooms has a large balcony, and top-floor rooms also have sea views. There's also a library, small pool, and fitness center, plus lots of charm from the friendly owners.

In the quieter eastern part of town, with a spectacular view of the cliffs, this bright and modern hotel provides a welcome respite from the often tourist-clogged sea pools area, yet is still only a short walk away from the action. The infinity pool on the roof offers views of the fantastic scenery, and there’s also an attractive spa with indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and treatment areas.

Though the hotel’s exterior seems nondescript and the rooms, while comfortable, are fairly standard, a stay here is all about the astounding views directly onto the sea pools below. Pleasant guest rooms, decorated in soothing blues and greens, all have balconies that look out to the sea. You can choose from two restaurants, one Portuguese and one Japanese (and both with the same stupendous views). Though the spa is small, the sauna, Jacuzzi, and solarium all have—of course—the same unforgettable watery vistas.

Part of the Savoy Signature collection, this four-star, all-inclusive hotel is right on the seafront with its own palm-studded grounds between the beach and Calheta's marina. The rooms are not huge, but all have balconies and the best ones peer out over the Atlantic. There are two restaurants, including one buffet and one à la carte, and three bars, one of which is poolside. An on-site spa and gym add to the appeal.

There are few hotels in Madeira that can claim to have a view as impressive as the Eira do Serrado; perched on the edge of a mountain overlooking the Curral Das Freiras, this modern hotel has a simple style but all the amenities you could want: a restaurant and bar, an indoor pool, a sauna and whirlpool, a gym, and even a lounge with a billiards table.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the charming town of Ponta do Sol about 11 km (7 miles) east of Calheta, this boutique hotel boasts stupendous views. Guests are drawn by the lovely infinity pool and modern, though a tad dated, design. The minimalist rooms all have balconies, many with water views. There's also a pleasant wellness area with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and treatment rooms.

A sunny terrace shaded by snowy white umbrellas and a glittering swimming pool are among the best reasons to stay at this simple but pleasant hotel on a quiet street in the center of town. Rooms are straightforward but cozy, and some have pleasant views of the municipal gardens.

For a stay with an exclusive feel—but all the amenities of its much larger neighboring sister hotel, The Cliff Bay, plus its own infinity pool and lovely restaurant, Avista—this contemporary all-suites property overlooking the Bay of Funchal is in a class of its own. Large rooms in earthy creams and browns have balconies with sea views; some also overlook the pretty gardens. You can dine on the modern international cuisine at Avista restaurant’s gorgeous patio, or try lighter bites at the Infinity Pool Bar. There’s also a small gym and pilates room with weekly activities, or take a short walk inside an enclosed pathway over to The Cliff Bay hotel, where you're welcome to use any of their facilities, including the spa, indoor pool, or outdoor pools—or to just take a dip in the sea.

This younger, hipper offshoot of the Savoy hotel chain has compact but well-equipped rooms designed for the digital nomad (along with families and other folks, too), with a 24-hour co-working space and bar off of the lobby. Black-and-grey air-conditioned guest rooms have comfy beds and a minimalist look; all include work desks and balconies. Guests can use a small spa with sauna, Turkish bath, and treatment rooms, plus a petite 24-hour gym. You can also relax at two outdoor pools, including a sceney retro adults-only rooftop pool and bar with lovely views of the ocean.

Part of a complex by Oscar Niemeyer, the famous modernist architect who designed the Brazilian capital Brasilia, this large hotel sits on concrete stilts next to the Casino da Madeira. Although the exterior may not appeal to everybody, the interior has modern facilities and is flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Guest rooms are bright and airy, and each has a balcony. Three pools (one rooftop, one infinity, and one indoor), a spa, tennis courts, and a gym add to the appeal.

This all-inclusive resort is perfectly positioned to take advantage of a lovely 9½-km (6-mile) stretch of beach just across a footbridge that's reserved for guests. The cool, minimalist rooms make you feel pampered with nice touches like oversized soaking tubs. The resort includes several bars and restaurants (and more at the adjacent Pestana Porto Santo), three pools (two outdoor and one indoor), and an on-site spa.

To say that Madeirans hold their own soccer megastar Cristiano Ronaldo in high esteem would be a massive understatement, and this boutique hotel—partly owned by the slick-footed star himself—is testament to just how highly regarded he is. The modern lodging is decorated with photos of the star, and the corridors are carpeted in soccer-field green. There's also an open air fitness center, featuring training sessions designed by the man himself, as well as a picture-perfect pink rooftop infinity pool. All hotel guests get free access to the adjoining CR7 museum.

A mix of standard rooms, spacious apartments, and villas spread around landscaped grounds dotted with tropical plants and dazzling flowers, this Mediterranean-style resort sits on a wonderfully quiet stretch of beach around 3 km (2 miles) from Vila Baleira. The all-inclusive property's restaurants range from a poolside bars with light food to Asian cuisine to a more upscale Italian eatery. Should the beach not be enough, the pool complex is superb: there are two large pools, one with salt water, as well as a separate children's pool and kids' club. A gym and tennis court cater to sporty types, while there are indulgent treatments and an indoor pool at the spa.

About a 15-minute walk from town, this hotel is a beach lover's dream, situated just behind the golden sand. Feeling a bit like a country club, there are plenty of activities, a plush spa with massage rooms, and a wellness center with a well-equipped gym and swimming pool. The comfortable guest rooms are surrounded by palm-studded grounds. Treatments include hot sand therapy, said to help relieve rheumatism pains and other aches.

Built in 1844, this former sugar cane farm retains much of its former appearance, with white-washed walls, dark green window shutters, and lavish grounds. The original house contains four guest rooms, while the other rooms are spread across two separate buildings constructed in the same gracious style. Guest quarters have French doors that open onto gardens and are filled with mahogany furniture—including four-poster beds—and beautifully framed pastoral prints.

This boutique hotel artfully combines traditional style with designer flair, facing a delightful three-acre semitropical garden in a quiet part of town. It was once owned by the Leacock family—one of Madeira's largest producers of wine in the 19th and early 20th century---and retains some of the original touches, especially the excellent restaurant in the original manor house. The hotel's minimalist rooms open out onto terraces or have sliding shutters that reveal large balconies.

Tucked away just above Funchal Harbor, the Quinta da Penha de França is for people who prefer their resorts casual and friendly rather than glitzy—though be aware that there are two sides: the charming but more old-fashioned "quinta" side and the more modern seaside "mar" side, each connected by a footbridge. The quinta's four-story manor house with green shutters is surrounded by gardens and a sun-drenched pool where you can lounge under the shade of banana trees. Every room is slightly different, and the antique furnishings resemble those in an old English townhouse. The mar side features brighter sea-inspired rooms and a large pool overlooking the water. Each section has its own restaurant and bar, but it's also an easy walk to nearby eateries and nightlife.

On a working vineyard in the northeast of the island (if you're here in the autumn you can help out with the harvest), this comfortable renovated lodging is a great choice if you're looking for somewhere less touristed. Guest rooms overlook the sea, the gardens and vineyards, or both; all are stylish and inviting, with soothing colors. The charming restaurant offers traditional Madeiran dishes, many using organic products. A sauna, Jacuzzi, pools, and treatment rooms add to the sense of peace and pampering at this special place.

The island's easternmost lodging can be found on Ponta de São Lourenço, a peninsula about 5 km (3 miles) from Caniçal. This massive resort complex—which includes its own marina—feels a little South Floridian in its streamlined look and design, which is not a bad thing when you consider amenities ranging from a wellness center with indulgent health and beauty treatments and three outdoor swimming pools with gorgeous terraces.

One of Madeira's most romantic hotels, Quinta Jardins do Lago is set in an immaculately maintained botanical garden, which can be admired from the large balconies in all rooms. A library, billiards room, and a breakfast room with an exceptional 16th-century ceramic wall panel on its veranda give this beautiful 18th-century quinta a timeless quality. During the Napoleonic wars, General Beresford, commander of the British forces on the island, chose the quinta as his residence, and his magnificent sideboard still adorns the dining room. Colombo, a giant tortoise, has lived here since 1949. Among the mango trees is a large heated swimming pool.

On a former farm still dotted with banana trees, these self-catering apartments and villas sit in a stunning location high above the old town—a short but steep walk from the botanical gardens. Villas, studios, and one-bedroom apartments are simple and spacious, and those on the top floor have breathtaking views.

On a rocky point surrounded by 10 acres of gardens, Reid's—which first opened its doors in 1891—is synonymous with luxurious lodgings in Madeira. Rooms, many on the spacious side, are beyond comfortable, with wide balconies and sea views. Past guests have included Pablo Picasso, Rainer Maria Rilke, Gregory Peck (Moby Dick was filmed here), and an ailing Winston Churchill, who in 1950 occupied a suite on the ground floor. Wonderful dining options include Michelin-starred William, Italian-focused Villa Cipriani, and the more casual Pool Terrace, plus afternoon high tea—an event not to be missed. Pamper yourself with the two heated outdoor pools (one seawater and one freshwater) and the lovely spa, or if you want to stay more active, try their tennis courts or well-equipped gym. For the more adventurous, there's also an extensive sea pool area where you can swim right in the ocean.

The latest hotel from Madeiran design wunderkind Nini Andrade Silva, this large-scale complex has everything a hotel guest might wish for—seven restaurants, a gigantic outdoor pool, a well-stocked gym, and one of the largest spas in Portugal. Rooms are spacious (if generic), done up with light colors and brass details; ask for one with a balcony facing the sea. Savoy Palace houses a plethora of restaurants including modern Madeiran, sushi, and Mediterranean, and three bars, including a rooftop cocktail joint offering gorgeous views. You’ll want to save time for the large spa, which has a heated indoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and steam room, plus a 24-hour gym.

Private balconies with endless sea views are the big draw at this modern hotel complex. Those who can tear themselves away from the rooftop infinity pool or the sandy beach will find the gym is well equipped, the spa has a wide range of treatments, and the heated indoor pool is a relaxing treat. There are several dining options on the property, and several others are an easy walk away.

This charming sustainable boutique hotel in the hills above Calheta Beach offers comfortable rooms built into the terraced stone walls, a menu with ingredients grown on the grounds or from the local market, and a relaxing pool with amazing views down to the water. Accommodations range from standard rooms to spacious villas; all are individually decorated and vary in size and style. Each has a kitchenette, while some have private terraces or gardens. Owner and chef Octávio Freitas offers a variety of activities to keep guests engaged, including cooking classes and gastronomic island tours.

On a steep hill overlooking verdant green mountains, this tiny guesthouse is by far the best reason to visit São Vicente. Run by a charming family, you'll feel at home the moment you step inside as they encourage you to help yourself to the fruits and vegetables from their organic garden—plump nectarines, rosy strawberries, sweet tomatoes—or help yourself to beer and wine from the honor bar. There's a pool, a sauna, and a communal lounge area with games and books. And then there's the view: each room has a private balcony overlooking the magical valley. At night, it's hard to tell where the lights end and the stars begin.

One of the most highly regarded hotels on the island, this elegant resort sits on a spectacular promontory with a series of terraces spilling down the cliffs and all the way to the ocean. The plush guest quarters have an understated modern look, and most have large balconies overlooking the bay or the inviting gardens. The hotel has plenty of dining options, from two Michelin-star Il Gallo d'Oro to the more casual The Rose Garden and a number of snack bars. There's also a modern fitness center, a luxurious spa where you can unplug, and three pools to chill out in.

Funchal's first design hotel, with ultramodern decor by influential local architect Nini Andrade Silva, hits the spot if you want a chic vibe and a location right in the center of town. The Vine's aesthetic takes its inspiration from Madeira's landscapes and vineyards: black cobbles, frosted glass, and dark stones set the tone. The spa specializes in vinotherapy (grapes, grape seeds, and grape skins are used in treatments).