7 Best Hotels in Madeira, Portugal

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.

The views, some out to Funchal Bay and others up to the hills around town, are truly the best part of this adults-only hotel up a steep road above Funchal. Simple, contemporary guest rooms have wood floors and balconies; some include kitchenettes. The choice of places to eat includes gastronomic tasting menu-only Desarma Restaurant and more casual BayView Restaurant; there’s also a bar on the pool deck open during the day and a cocktail bar open in the evening. The well-equipped spa includes an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, and gym.

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.

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.

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.

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).