Two promontories on Estrada Monumental. Reid's Palace, from about €825 with breakfast, if you want the grand hotel of 1891, afternoon tea on the terrace, a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William and about 10 acres of gardens; The Cliff Bay, from about €385 with breakfast, under half the rate, if you would rather have rooms from 30 m², a saltwater pool at sea level and ladders into the Atlantic.
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 viewA five-star resort on its own promontory in Funchal, with the bay in view from the Bay View balconies and a saltwater pool at the edge of the Atlantic.
€€€From about €385 a night
Choose The Cliff Bay if
The catch
Not in the centre: the Sé is a 33-minute walk along a busy road, uphill on the way back, or a bus or taxi
| Best for | Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel | The Cliff Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Best beach hotels in Madeira | Not on the list | On the list |
| 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 | Not on the list |
| Best hotels with a view in Madeira | On the list | On the list |
| Best hotels for food and drink in Madeira | On the list | Not on the list |
Reid's Palace, A Belmond HotelThe Cliff Bay
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel
The Cliff Bay
The verdict
Two promontories on Estrada Monumental. Reid's Palace, from about €825 with breakfast, if you want the grand hotel of 1891, afternoon tea on the terrace, a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William and about 10 acres of gardens; The Cliff Bay, from about €385 with breakfast, under half the rate, if you would rather have rooms from 30 m², a saltwater pool at sea level and ladders into the Atlantic.
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
Two promontories on Estrada Monumental. Reid's Palace, from about €825 with breakfast, if you want the grand hotel of 1891, afternoon tea on the terrace, a MICHELIN-starred dinner at William and about 10 acres of gardens; The Cliff Bay, from about €385 with breakfast, under half the rate, if you would rather have rooms from 30 m², a saltwater pool at sea level and ladders into the Atlantic.
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.
The Funchal hotel for swimming in the Atlantic below the garden and looking at the bay from the balcony. Check availability for a Funchal Bay View room, and whether Il Gallo d'Oro has reopened for your dates. A large, polished, classic resort where the day is spent between the sea ladder, the saltwater pool and the spa, and a sea-facing balcony looks over the Atlantic or Funchal Bay. Funchal is a bus ride or a long walk away rather than on the doorstep.
It has indoor and outdoor pools. There is no beach; the nearest is a drive away.