Old-school charm on the cliff or in the gardens. Reid's Palace, from about €825, if you want afternoon tea over the bay and a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William; Casa Velha do Palheiro, from about €320, if you would rather have 37 rooms on a 150-hectare estate with gardens and golf.
The iconFunchal's grand hotel of 1891 on the cliff above the bay, with afternoon tea on the terrace, pools above the sea and a starred dining room.
€€€€From about €825 a night
Choose Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel if
The catch
The entry Superior Rooms are 23 to 26 m² with a partial sea view; the full view of the bay starts with the Deluxe Sea View
The hideawayA restored 1804 hunting lodge on a 150-hectare estate above Funchal, with gardens, golf and a MICHELIN-listed dinner at the door.
€€€From about €320 a night
Choose Casa Velha do Palheiro if
The catch
Funchal is a taxi ride, not a walk: the Sé is 18 minutes by car off-peak but about 70 minutes on foot, much of it steep
| Best for | Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel | Casa Velha do Palheiro |
|---|---|---|
| Best family hotels in Madeira | On the list | Not on the list |
| Best spa hotels in Madeira | Not on the list | On the list |
| Best quiet hotels in Madeira | On the list | On the list |
| Best hotels with a view in Madeira | On the list | Not on the list |
| Best hotels for food and drink in Madeira | On the list | On the list |
Reid's Palace, A Belmond HotelCasa Velha do Palheiro
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel
Casa Velha do Palheiro
The verdict
Old-school charm on the cliff or in the gardens. Reid's Palace, from about €825, if you want afternoon tea over the bay and a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William; Casa Velha do Palheiro, from about €320, if you would rather have 37 rooms on a 150-hectare estate with gardens and golf.
Hand-picked: only the best, one version of each, researched so you don’t have to.
The east, in comfortFrom €38.704.7(3,900)
The food and wineFrom €954.8(550)
Whales, on a big catamaranFrom €354.6(7,900)
The west, by jeepFrom €695(650)
Questions people ask
Old-school charm on the cliff or in the gardens. Reid's Palace, from about €825, if you want afternoon tea over the bay and a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William; Casa Velha do Palheiro, from about €320, if you would rather have 37 rooms on a 150-hectare estate with gardens and golf.
Funchal's grand hotel, on its cliff since 1891, for anyone who wants the terrace, the gardens and the bay more than a beach. Check availability for the Deluxe Sea View Room. A classic grand hotel with a strong sense of Madeira, where the terrace, the gardens and the pools above the sea are the holiday, and the price is top of the island. Funchal is a walk or a free shuttle away.
It has an outdoor pool. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.
A historic quinta for gardens, golf and long dinners, a taxi ride above Funchal rather than in it. Check availability for the Double Golf Wing. A small, historic country house in gardens and woodland above Funchal, where the estate, the spa and dinner are the holiday and the city is a taxi ride down. It suits slow days, golf and walks more than nights out.
It has indoor and outdoor pools. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.