Golden Residence Apartment Hotel is a four-pearl resort located on the outskirts of Funchal. The property has attractive, modern decor and boasts stunning ocean views from its perch high above the water. All 142 units have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles, and private balconies, but beds are two twin mattresses pushed together, and bathrooms lack toiletries. Suites and Apartments add living rooms and kitchenettes. The rooftop terrace and garden promenade are among the resort's top features, and there's an outdoor pool, a spa, a gym, and free breakfast. No direct beach access and a hike into town are drawbacks. Though dated by comparison, travelers seeking a beachfront hotel may wish to consider Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel.
Golden Residence Apartment Hotel is a four-pearl resort located on the outskirts of Funchal. The property has attractive, modern decor and boasts stunning ocean views from its perch high above the water. All 142 units have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, kettles, and private balconies, but beds are two twin mattresses pushed together, and bathrooms lack toiletries. Suites and Apartments add living rooms and kitchenettes. The rooftop terrace and garden promenade are among the resort's top features, and there's an outdoor pool, a spa, a gym, and free breakfast. No direct beach access and a hike into town are drawbacks. Though dated by comparison, travelers seeking a beachfront hotel may wish to consider Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel.
Apartamentos Sao Paulo e Alegria is a bargain option nestled in a quiet and historic area of Funchal, outside Lido. This lower-middle-range, family-owned property feels more like a guest house, and has 31 contemporary apartment-style units spread among three beautiful buildings with views over the neighborhood's narrow cobblestone streets. Expect gorgeous parquet wood floors, antique furniture, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, but no air-conditioning; some rooms add balconies. On-site, there are two outdoor terraces, a small breakfast room, cafe serving snacks and drinks, and a small tropical garden with a barbecue area and hammocks. Babysitting, parking, and in-room massages are available for a fee, while Wi-Fi is free throughout. Travelers willing to pay more can snag rooftop pool views at Hotel Madeira.
Apartamentos Sao Paulo e Alegria is a bargain option nestled in a quiet and historic area of Funchal, outside Lido. This lower-middle-range, family-owned property feels more like a guest house, and has 31 contemporary apartment-style units spread among three beautiful buildings with views over the neighborhood's narrow cobblestone streets. Expect gorgeous parquet wood floors, antique furniture, flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes, but no air-conditioning; some rooms add balconies. On-site, there are two outdoor terraces, a small breakfast room, cafe serving snacks and drinks, and a small tropical garden with a barbecue area and hammocks. Babysitting, parking, and in-room massages are available for a fee, while Wi-Fi is free throughout. Travelers willing to pay more can snag rooftop pool views at Hotel Madeira.
The Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa is an upscale chain hotel with stylish contemporary interiors set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its Lido neighborhood is pleasant and largely residential, with restaurants, a pebble beach, and the coastal promenade within easy reach. However, it's a 15-minute drive from Funchal's center. Most of the 220 understated rooms feature sea views, with some higher balconies providing superb panoramas. Indoor and outdoor pools, decent dining, and a deluxe spa combine to make this hotel a great pick for vacationing couples. However, families with kids should look elsewhere -- the nearby Four Views Monumental Lido is a good option that offers a kids' club and nightly entertainment.
The Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa is an upscale chain hotel with stylish contemporary interiors set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Its Lido neighborhood is pleasant and largely residential, with restaurants, a pebble beach, and the coastal promenade within easy reach. However, it's a 15-minute drive from Funchal's center. Most of the 220 understated rooms feature sea views, with some higher balconies providing superb panoramas. Indoor and outdoor pools, decent dining, and a deluxe spa combine to make this hotel a great pick for vacationing couples. However, families with kids should look elsewhere -- the nearby Four Views Monumental Lido is a good option that offers a kids' club and nightly entertainment.
The adult-only Porto Santa Maria Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl property popular for its amazing beachside location in the heart of Funchal's old town. There's plenty to do nearby: Some of the island's best restaurants are within walking distance, along with cultural and tourist attractions such as the marina and the famous Mercado dos Lavradores. On-site, there are an outdoor pool, rooftop terrance with a whirlpool, spa with indoor pool and treatment rooms, and a generally well-reviewed restaurant. The 146 rooms are comfortable, albeit with some dated furnishings, and equipped with kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor spaces -- some with sea views. It's worth comparing rates with Pestana Palms Ocean Aparthotel, which has a few more features, including an on-site diving school.
The adult-only Porto Santa Maria Hotel is a three-and-a-half-pearl property popular for its amazing beachside location in the heart of Funchal's old town. There's plenty to do nearby: Some of the island's best restaurants are within walking distance, along with cultural and tourist attractions such as the marina and the famous Mercado dos Lavradores. On-site, there are an outdoor pool, rooftop terrance with a whirlpool, spa with indoor pool and treatment rooms, and a generally well-reviewed restaurant. The 146 rooms are comfortable, albeit with some dated furnishings, and equipped with kitchenettes, flat-screen TVs, and outdoor spaces -- some with sea views. It's worth comparing rates with Pestana Palms Ocean Aparthotel, which has a few more features, including an on-site diving school.
The upper-middle-range, 198-room Porto Mare features a plethora of on-site facilities and dining options, as it sits in the center of the Vila Porto Mare resort complex. The hotel is close to Lido Promenade and free shuttles run into Funchal's old town multiple times a day, but the closest beach is roughly a 30-minute walk away. Though there are ample restaurants and shops nearby, guests may be content to stay at the hotel, as there are an array of pools -- both indoors and outdoors -- a kids' club, and sports facilities. Earth-tone rooms have flat-screen TVs, docking stations, and mini-fridges, while suites add kitchenettes. Some areas are looking a bit dated, but overall, it provides a solid stay for couples and families. Couples may prefer the more modern and stylish Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel.
The upper-middle-range, 198-room Porto Mare features a plethora of on-site facilities and dining options, as it sits in the center of the Vila Porto Mare resort complex. The hotel is close to Lido Promenade and free shuttles run into Funchal's old town multiple times a day, but the closest beach is roughly a 30-minute walk away. Though there are ample restaurants and shops nearby, guests may be content to stay at the hotel, as there are an array of pools -- both indoors and outdoors -- a kids' club, and sports facilities. Earth-tone rooms have flat-screen TVs, docking stations, and mini-fridges, while suites add kitchenettes. Some areas are looking a bit dated, but overall, it provides a solid stay for couples and families. Couples may prefer the more modern and stylish Pestana Promenade Ocean Resort Hotel.
The Cliff Bay (Porto Bay) is a luxury hotel with a striking cliff-side setting overlooking the Atlantic, a bit more than a mile from Funchal's city center. It's home to Madeira’s only Michelin-star restaurant, two swimming pools (one freshwater, one saltwater, and a kiddy pool), and a luxe spa. The 200 rooms are pleasant, bright, and spacious, and most have balconies with superb ocean views. The resort as whole is well-oiled with plenty of polish, if not a huge amount of character. For that, travelers might want to check out the 18th-century Quinta Jardins do Lago -- far from the sea but set within lush botanical gardens.
The Cliff Bay (Porto Bay) is a luxury hotel with a striking cliff-side setting overlooking the Atlantic, a bit more than a mile from Funchal's city center. It's home to Madeira’s only Michelin-star restaurant, two swimming pools (one freshwater, one saltwater, and a kiddy pool), and a luxe spa. The 200 rooms are pleasant, bright, and spacious, and most have balconies with superb ocean views. The resort as whole is well-oiled with plenty of polish, if not a huge amount of character. For that, travelers might want to check out the 18th-century Quinta Jardins do Lago -- far from the sea but set within lush botanical gardens.
The Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel is an mid-range all-inclusive property set right on a popular stretch of Praia Formosa. Although not strictly apartments, all 217 rooms have kitchenettes and balconies, most with superb sea views. The decor is bold, but dated. Complaints typically focus on the very crowded buffet restaurant, though the hotel provides surprising extras like cocktail hours and free shuttles into Funchal. Pool and spa facilities are adequate, with plentiful loungers and a poolside whirlpool tub. There's also a grassy playground and a game room. Self-catering apartments with better child-friendly facilities (including a kids' pool, club, and entertainment) can be found at the Suite Hotel Eden Mar, where rates tend to be lower.
The Pestana Bay Ocean Aparthotel is an mid-range all-inclusive property set right on a popular stretch of Praia Formosa. Although not strictly apartments, all 217 rooms have kitchenettes and balconies, most with superb sea views. The decor is bold, but dated. Complaints typically focus on the very crowded buffet restaurant, though the hotel provides surprising extras like cocktail hours and free shuttles into Funchal. Pool and spa facilities are adequate, with plentiful loungers and a poolside whirlpool tub. There's also a grassy playground and a game room. Self-catering apartments with better child-friendly facilities (including a kids' pool, club, and entertainment) can be found at the Suite Hotel Eden Mar, where rates tend to be lower.
The 286-room Pestana Carlton Madeira is an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the Atlantic on the western side of Funchal. Along with some impressive dining and drinking options, the property has outstanding leisure facilities that include a total of four swimming pools. The addition of spa, child-friendly facilities, and direct access to the sea make this property appealing to a wide swath of travelers. Rooms are spacious with most offering sweeping sea views, though the style is a bit plain. All in all, guests get a lot for relatively low rates, though the same could be said for the Pestana Casino Park Hotel close by, which occupies an iconic building nearby and has similar features.
The 286-room Pestana Carlton Madeira is an upper-middle-range resort complex overlooking the Atlantic on the western side of Funchal. Along with some impressive dining and drinking options, the property has outstanding leisure facilities that include a total of four swimming pools. The addition of spa, child-friendly facilities, and direct access to the sea make this property appealing to a wide swath of travelers. Rooms are spacious with most offering sweeping sea views, though the style is a bit plain. All in all, guests get a lot for relatively low rates, though the same could be said for the Pestana Casino Park Hotel close by, which occupies an iconic building nearby and has similar features.
Quintinha Sao Joao is a four-pearl boutique property designed to recreate the experience of staying in a traditional Portuguese manor house. Perched on a hill in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests are a 15-minute walk from downtown Funchal. All 42 air-conditioned rooms are large with firm mattresses, garden-view balconies, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. While the spa and heated indoor and outdoor pool areas have a contemporary look, the rest of the hotel's antique decor has a dated though welcoming and homey feel to it. Expect lots of freebies, from a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi to all-day snacks and downtown shuttle. The main bar offers happy hour and live piano music, while the restaurant serves Goan-focused dishes. Travelers looking for more modern digs should consider the nearby and slightly cheaper Four View Baia.
Quintinha Sao Joao is a four-pearl boutique property designed to recreate the experience of staying in a traditional Portuguese manor house. Perched on a hill in a quiet residential neighborhood, guests are a 15-minute walk from downtown Funchal. All 42 air-conditioned rooms are large with firm mattresses, garden-view balconies, minibars, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players. While the spa and heated indoor and outdoor pool areas have a contemporary look, the rest of the hotel's antique decor has a dated though welcoming and homey feel to it. Expect lots of freebies, from a breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi to all-day snacks and downtown shuttle. The main bar offers happy hour and live piano music, while the restaurant serves Goan-focused dishes. Travelers looking for more modern digs should consider the nearby and slightly cheaper Four View Baia.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sensimar Savoy Gardens is an adult-only property that generally sees mature couples. The hotel is located up a steep hill, a 20-minute walk to town, but the strenuous hike back may require a taxi. There are gorgeous sea and city views throughout, particularly from the rooftop terrace and outdoor pool. The 119 rooms are generic and have some dated furnishings, but they're comfortable and equipped with mini-fridges and balconies. Other on-site features include a spa, outdoor games such as shuffleboard, two restaurants, and multiple bars. Families should consider the more kid-friendly Royal Savoy Hotel just across the road.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Sensimar Savoy Gardens is an adult-only property that generally sees mature couples. The hotel is located up a steep hill, a 20-minute walk to town, but the strenuous hike back may require a taxi. There are gorgeous sea and city views throughout, particularly from the rooftop terrace and outdoor pool. The 119 rooms are generic and have some dated furnishings, but they're comfortable and equipped with mini-fridges and balconies. Other on-site features include a spa, outdoor games such as shuffleboard, two restaurants, and multiple bars. Families should consider the more kid-friendly Royal Savoy Hotel just across the road.