Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden

The grounds at Quinta Splendida are a major draw. The hotel is a 19th century pink-and-tan manor house set in 35,000 square yards of botanical gardens with over 1,000 species of plants. Stone paved walkways meander through the lush greenery and offer ample spots to relax under shade or near the outdoor pool. Inside the reception, there are historic decorative elements like an immaculately carved wooden front desk with beautiful tile accents, and lovely brick-colored tiled floors. Restaurants vary in style. For instance, La Perla is chic with fancy chairs and colorful artwork on pink or red walls. The style and the amenities all come together to create a relaxing atmosphere, and with little traffic in the area, it’s fairly quiet on the scene for couples on vacation who want to get away.     

Though the hotel has ocean views, it’s about a 30-minute walk or a four-minute drive to the coast. There’s not a lot to do in the small town that the property sits in (apart from some restaurants within a 10-minute walk) so most guests take day trips to Fuchal. It’s 20-minute drive away and the hotel offers a free shuttle bus there with limited days, hours, and space available (so make reservations beforehand). Thankfully, there’s a bus stop outside of the hotel. It’s a 15-minute drive to the nearest golf course. It takes 10 minutes by car or an hour by bus to reach the Madeira Airport. 

Rooms at Quinta Splendida range in style but all are contemporary and airy with plenty of space. Handsome wood floors complement simple streamlined wooden furniture that contrasts with white beds with some floral accents. The Spa Suites are chic with purple walls, white fluffy carpet, and purple pod chairs. Guests in these rooms also get free spa access. Apartments are more classic with exposed wooden beams and wicker furniture. Studios and One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments have furnished balconies or garden patios, living rooms, and kitchenettes with four-burner stoves, sinks, and kettles. Some units have ovens, too. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes (which cost a fee). Wi-Fi is only available in rooms next to reception. The rooms lack air-conditioning and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are clean and spacious and feature showers or tubs, bidets, hairdryers, and free toiletries. The Spa Suites bathrooms are particularly sleek with dark brown wooden accents, separate showers and tubs, and white vessel sinks. 

A relaxed atmosphere is the main focus at Quinta Splendida and most features cater to that feeling. The hotel’s large outdoor pool is surrounded by the botanical gardens and has lovely views of the ocean. It's serviced by a pool bar that offers cold meals and drinks. Inside the gardens is a five-hole putting green with a bunker to practice chipping. The hotel is home to the largest spa in Madeira which includes an indoor pool, ice fountain, hot tub, sauna, Turkish bath, sensation shower, relaxation area, and massages and beauty treatments. There’s also a small gym with some cardio and weight equipment attached to the spa. Unfortunately, the spa and its amenities, including the gym, cost a fee to use (unless you're booked a Spa Suite). 

The hotel has three different restaurants with various cuisine. The buffet restaurant offers a German-inspired breakfast buffet with hot items like eggs and sausage, as well as bacon, tomato, mushrooms, and baked beans. It can be included in the rates with breakfast only, half-board, or full-board options. There’s also a restaurant that serves Thai food. La Perla offers Mediterranean and international cuisine. A lounge bar with an outdoor patio is a great spot to have a drink in the evenings. Free Wi-Fi is available in the public spaces, like reception and the pool. On-site parking incurs a small daily charge.