11 Best Hotels in Madeira, Portugal

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.

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.

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.

Designed in the style of a Portuguese village, this expansive Hyatt hotel with buildings scattered up a hillside has a large choice of restaurants, four pools, and a lovely pebble beach. Light and bright guest rooms decorated in white and wood come in a range of configurations from double garden view to family ocean view, which sleeps four, and family deluxe garden view, which sleeps six; all have balconies and good-sized bathrooms with rain showers. The property also has four swimming pools, including a kids’ pool, an adults-only pool, and a natural sea pool. Guests won’t go hungry with seven à la carte restaurant options, including Japanese, grilled meats, French, and Mediterranean, plus a buffet restaurant and an ice cream parlor. You’ll also find a number of bars throughout the hotel, including poolside and beachside. If the stairs up and down the hillside aren’t enough exercise, the 9,700-square-foot spa includes a good-sized gym, along with a heated indoor pool, steam room, and sauna to soothe tired muscles.

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.

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.

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 poolside bars with light food to Mediterranean 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.

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.

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.

This large glass-fronted hotel overlooking a spectacular stretch of oceanfront has modern and tastefully appointed, if generic, guest rooms, most with balconies offering water views. Rates include breakfast and dinner; guests can choose from five restaurants, including Portuguese, Italian, and sushi. Other amenities include a stunning sea-level platform featuring a bar and two seawater swimming pools; a kids' pool and an indoor pool; a thalassotherapy (uses the benefits of seawater) spa; and a well-equipped fitness center with a variety of classes. The hotel is also more family-friendly than many others on the island, offering Aquatica Kids' World for children up to age 11 and 24-hour babysitting services (for a fee).

About 4 km (2½ miles) from Vila Baleira, the Vila Baleira Suites have their own pretty pool surrounded by sunny yellow lounge chairs, but most guests head just beyond that to one of the nicest stretches of beach on the island. The squat modern building itself is a bit of an eyesore, but the place makes up for any shortcomings with good amenities and a perfect location.