4 Best Hotels in Porto Santo, Madeira

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.

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.

A five-minute walk from the center of town, this low-slung beach hotel is built around an old stone watchtower that now holds one of the hotel's two restaurants. The rooms are spacious, with those on the upper floor offering views of the ocean through wide windows. Along with the sparkling outdoor pool, the hotel also has a sauna, hot tub, squash court, and fitness center.

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.