17 Best Hotels in Funchal, Madeira

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.

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 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.

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, a 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 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.

This luxury hotel-within-a-hotel takes up the 16th and 17th floors of Savoy Palace, and includes personal assistants, exclusive use of the Jacarandá Club, and access to a private outdoor area with infinity pool, Jacuzzi, and lovely mountain views. Most suites, with floor-to-ceiling ocean vistas, include two bathrooms, oversized bathtubs, and balconies; corner suites also offer private pools. Your own Guest Experience Personal Assistant (GEPA) stays in touch over WhatsApp for restaurant bookings or other needs. The Reserve guests can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and cocktails in the Jacarandá Club, which becomes a Japanese Nikkei restaurant most evenings, or dine in any of Savoy Palace’s other restaurants. There’s also free access to the Laurea Spa, with an indoor pool, sauna, and gym.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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).