Madeira offers plenty of accommodation options – despite the fact that it is a smaller island. There are great boutique and 5-star hotels, but also great cheaper hotels or airbnbs. In this article, I’ll show you a few of the coolest accommodations in Madeira, which alone will be a highlight of your Madeira vacation.
I tested different types of accommodation during my trip and even discovered that the 5-star hotels out of season are not as extremely expensive as I initially thought. I used price comparison sites like trivago to find a few bargains.
Book one or more accommodations for your Madeira vacation?
Many travelers book just one accommodation for their entire Madeira vacation and then start their exploration tours of the island from there. This is perfectly feasible and probably the best solution for you if you don’t want to change your accommodation. However, you will often travel quite slowly on the island’s winding mountain roads, so you will generally see less per day.
That’s why I recommend booking different accommodation for several days in different parts of the island. That’s what I did, always for two nights and it was perfect for me.
Here you can find the best sights on the island and lots of Madeira vacation tips:
Especially if you want to go hiking a lot, it is super practical to arrive somewhere quickly in the evening after a physically demanding tour with your wet clothes, where you can rest and dry your clothes for the next day.
You will also often find the term quinta, especially in the Portuguese-speaking world. These are generally agricultural businesses, usually also with vineyards. Some of the hotels in Madeira are located on former quintas and use this term in their name.
I have found 5 really great hotels and quintas on Madeira for my own trip, which I particularly recommend.
1. Picturesque five-star organic hotel: Quinta da Serra
Quinta da Serra is a great hotel just outside the west of Funchal. The seclusion of this hotel creates a unique atmosphere. Even Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have once stayed at the Quinta. Whether this is really true, however, has not been proven.
The hotel is also a good start to your trip, as it is quite centrally located on the island. It’s about 40 minutes by car from the airport. You have to overcome a slightly more difficult approach in a higher part of the village. However, you will be rewarded with great views and 5-star luxury.
In addition to the indoor swimming pool, restaurant and tennis court, the hotel also has a gorgeous little park with the wonderful scent of flowers and eucalyptus. A wide variety of vegetables and herbs are grown here, which you will also find on the restaurant menu. A few vines also grow on the estate.
2. Beautiful Design hotel for couples: Saccharum Resort & Spa
The Saccharum Resort & Spa is a modern luxury hotel that basically offers everything you would expect from a 5-star hotel. Couples in particular are likely to love this hotel.
The rooms offer a direct view or at least a side view of the sea. There are also rooms facing the inner courtyard. These are usually a little cheaper. I particularly liked the giant rainforest shower and the comfortable box-spring beds. The rather dark lighting concept in the rooms and the rest of the hotel may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I found it created a cozy and calming atmosphere.
There are 2 restaurants with really delicious food, also for vegetarians. I also really liked the rooftop bar. As the hotel is located in the west of the island, it’s a great base for exploring the west coast. But you can also just chill out on the adjacent beach.
3. Quiet and lonely cabin in the jungle: Ribeiro frio cottages
If you want to spend the night in the middle of the tranquillity of the Madeiran rainforest, you should rent a cottage in the forest. This may sound a little spartan, but it’s not if you book the almost luxurious Ribeiro Frio Cottages. You can spend the whole day hiking in the region and then come back to your apartment in the evening without a long drive.
There are a total of 3 apartments for rent here with the names Camélia, Azália and Cedro
The host has thought of everything you would expect as a guest. There is a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, a bathroom with hot water and even a tiled stove where you can dry and warm up your clothes in the evening.
Conclusion: absolutely perfect. As the apartments are very popular, you shouldn’t wait too long to book.
4. Green Five-Star hotel in Funchal: Quintinha de Sao Joao
The Quintinha de Sao Joao Hotel&Spa is one of the better hotels in Funchal. The hotel staff are very friendly and the decor has a touch of English colonial style.
The breakfast here was particularly fantastic. You can enjoy it in the hotel’s glorious garden. All of the hotel’s rooms face the garden. This means you are guaranteed not to be bothered by street noise.
1. Historic Five-Star hotel: Belmond Reid’s Palace
A night at Belmond’s Reid’s Palace would certainly be a highlight in itself. The Belmond is the luxury hotel par excellence in Madeira. It is over 100 years old and many famous personalities have stayed here. However, you will have to dig deep into your pockets for the sheer luxury that the hotel offers.
There are 3 swimming pools, direct access to the ocean and even a small botanical garden right on the cliffs.
But even if you’re not a guest of the hotel, you can at least try to sign up for the Afternoon Tea time. You can enjoy scones, sandwiches and homemade pastries from the hotel terrace with its magnificent view. Here you can book a table from 15:00.
Which cool Madeira accommodations can you recommend? Write me a comment!
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About the Author: Matthias
