Quinta do Lorde Resort, Hotel & Marina is a four-pearl oceanfront resort at the eastern end of Madeira. It's long 30-minute drive from Funchal, but the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. Facilities are excellent, with multiple pools (including an ocean-fed infinity pool), a marina, spa, seasonal kids' club, and six seasonal dining and drinking options. However, there have been some complaints for iffy buffet food and disappointing all-inclusive packages. The 143 sharp and spacious rooms include mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, and some have balconies and/or sea views. Travelers wanting to be closer to Funchal might consider the Pestana Casino Park Hotel down the coast, which has similar rates and adds an Oscar Niemeyer-designed casino and indoor pool.
Quinta do Lorde Resort, Hotel & Marina is a four-pearl oceanfront resort at the eastern end of Madeira. It's long 30-minute drive from Funchal, but the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing. Facilities are excellent, with multiple pools (including an ocean-fed infinity pool), a marina, spa, seasonal kids' club, and six seasonal dining and drinking options. However, there have been some complaints for iffy buffet food and disappointing all-inclusive packages. The 143 sharp and spacious rooms include mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, and some have balconies and/or sea views. Travelers wanting to be closer to Funchal might consider the Pestana Casino Park Hotel down the coast, which has similar rates and adds an Oscar Niemeyer-designed casino and indoor pool.
Intimacy is the prevailing theme at the four-and-a-half-pearl Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club. The 15-room hotel used to be a private villa, and it retains the feel of a modest but immaculately decorated country house, with sculpted clifftop gardens and cozy bars. There are two pools -- one at the top of the cliff, and one at the foot of the cliff -- so that swimmers feel as though they are immersed in the Atlantic. Guests typically love the food served at the on-site restaurant, and a spa and gym round out the facilities. Guests looking to stay somewhere similarly intimate, but closer to Funchal might want to try the Quintinha Sao Joao.
Intimacy is the prevailing theme at the four-and-a-half-pearl Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club. The 15-room hotel used to be a private villa, and it retains the feel of a modest but immaculately decorated country house, with sculpted clifftop gardens and cozy bars. There are two pools -- one at the top of the cliff, and one at the foot of the cliff -- so that swimmers feel as though they are immersed in the Atlantic. Guests typically love the food served at the on-site restaurant, and a spa and gym round out the facilities. Guests looking to stay somewhere similarly intimate, but closer to Funchal might want to try the Quintinha Sao Joao.
Vila Gale Santa Cruz is a three-and-a-half-pearl oceanfront resort in the quiet village of Santa Cruz, about a 20-minute drive from Funchal. With no nightlife and little entertainment, the atmosphere here is about relaxation and recreation. A pebble-and-stone beach, large outdoor pool with seasonal poolside bar, children's pool, small kids' club, indoor pool, and spa are highlights. There are buffet and a la carte dining options, and all-inclusive rates are available. The resort also runs a thrice-daily shuttle to Funchal. The 262 clean rooms all have balconies, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Some have sea or airport runway views, and while plane noise is unavoidable, it's generally not bothersome. Couples who want a similarly relaxed resort that's closer to Funchal might consider Porto Santa Maria Hotel (Porto Bay) instead.
Vila Gale Santa Cruz is a three-and-a-half-pearl oceanfront resort in the quiet village of Santa Cruz, about a 20-minute drive from Funchal. With no nightlife and little entertainment, the atmosphere here is about relaxation and recreation. A pebble-and-stone beach, large outdoor pool with seasonal poolside bar, children's pool, small kids' club, indoor pool, and spa are highlights. There are buffet and a la carte dining options, and all-inclusive rates are available. The resort also runs a thrice-daily shuttle to Funchal. The 262 clean rooms all have balconies, minibars, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs. Some have sea or airport runway views, and while plane noise is unavoidable, it's generally not bothersome. Couples who want a similarly relaxed resort that's closer to Funchal might consider Porto Santa Maria Hotel (Porto Bay) instead.
The Hotel Aldeia da Fonte is an upscale, eco-friendly resort set in lush tropical grounds on the edge of cliffs overlooking Pico Island's rugged south coast. Some of the rooms, which include studio-style apartments, units with separate living areas, and a few rooms with kitchenettes, feature sea views -- and whale-watching opportunities -- but rooms on lower floors can feel a little damp during wetter months, and beds are on the firm side. Standout features include an ocean-view swimming pool and direct access to the sea and a natural rock pool. All in all, for a relaxed hotel surrounded by nature, this one ticks the right boxes.
The Hotel Aldeia da Fonte is an upscale, eco-friendly resort set in lush tropical grounds on the edge of cliffs overlooking Pico Island's rugged south coast. Some of the rooms, which include studio-style apartments, units with separate living areas, and a few rooms with kitchenettes, feature sea views -- and whale-watching opportunities -- but rooms on lower floors can feel a little damp during wetter months, and beds are on the firm side. Standout features include an ocean-view swimming pool and direct access to the sea and a natural rock pool. All in all, for a relaxed hotel surrounded by nature, this one ticks the right boxes.
The upper-middle-range Aqua Natura Madeira is a boutique hotel overlooking the natural swimming pools in the town of Porto Moniz. While the hotel has no pool of its own, guests are given free passes to swim in the lava pools. Although the hotel’s 25 rooms are a bit small and have generic decor, they offer stunning coastal views from furnished outdoor spaces. They also come with kettles, flat-screen TVs, small safes, and free Wi-Fi. A spa offers massage and wellness treatments, as well as a big hot tub with views out over the lava pools. Other amenities include a well-equipped gym and free quality buffet breakfast served in the restaurant. Guests looking for a hotel with its own pool and more sleek rooms should check out the Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa in neighboring Calheta.
The upper-middle-range Aqua Natura Madeira is a boutique hotel overlooking the natural swimming pools in the town of Porto Moniz. While the hotel has no pool of its own, guests are given free passes to swim in the lava pools. Although the hotel’s 25 rooms are a bit small and have generic decor, they offer stunning coastal views from furnished outdoor spaces. They also come with kettles, flat-screen TVs, small safes, and free Wi-Fi. A spa offers massage and wellness treatments, as well as a big hot tub with views out over the lava pools. Other amenities include a well-equipped gym and free quality buffet breakfast served in the restaurant. Guests looking for a hotel with its own pool and more sleek rooms should check out the Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa in neighboring Calheta.
The lti Pestana Grand Hotel is a 177-room four-pearl property occupying an impressive building perched on a clifftop on Madeira's most southerly point. Rooms are bright and attractive, all opening to balconies and most with sea views -- though amenities (like tube-style TVs) are not up to scratch for a hotel with luxury aspirations. Hotel amenities, however, are impressive, with four restaurants, a spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, and one of the largest saltwater pools on the island. The hotel is in a quiet residential area around 15 minutes' drive from the historic center. More up-to-date rooms, though with fewer sea views, can be found for around the same rate at the Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa, just a few minutes away along the coast.
The lti Pestana Grand Hotel is a 177-room four-pearl property occupying an impressive building perched on a clifftop on Madeira's most southerly point. Rooms are bright and attractive, all opening to balconies and most with sea views -- though amenities (like tube-style TVs) are not up to scratch for a hotel with luxury aspirations. Hotel amenities, however, are impressive, with four restaurants, a spa with an indoor-outdoor pool, and one of the largest saltwater pools on the island. The hotel is in a quiet residential area around 15 minutes' drive from the historic center. More up-to-date rooms, though with fewer sea views, can be found for around the same rate at the Melia Madeira Mare Resort & Spa, just a few minutes away along the coast.
Sitting among tidily manicured lawns, the three-pearl Terceira Mar Hotel is a stone’s throw from the ocean, which all of its 139 dated but clean rooms overlook. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Silveira Beach, and a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride to the center of Angra do Heroismo. On-site features include a simple spa offering massages, a sauna, and well-equipped gym, a bright indoor pool, and a large outdoor saltwater pool with adjacent kiddy pool and gorgeous vistas. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner to positive reviews. Though in need of a contemporary update, rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more stylish place to stay might want to check out the Aparthotel Atlântida Mar, on the Praia da Vitoria.
Sitting among tidily manicured lawns, the three-pearl Terceira Mar Hotel is a stone’s throw from the ocean, which all of its 139 dated but clean rooms overlook. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Silveira Beach, and a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride to the center of Angra do Heroismo. On-site features include a simple spa offering massages, a sauna, and well-equipped gym, a bright indoor pool, and a large outdoor saltwater pool with adjacent kiddy pool and gorgeous vistas. The restaurant serves a buffet breakfast and a la carte dinner to positive reviews. Though in need of a contemporary update, rooms have minibars, flat-screen TVs, free safes, and free Wi-Fi. Guests looking for a more stylish place to stay might want to check out the Aparthotel Atlântida Mar, on the Praia da Vitoria.
The 28-room Atlantida Mar is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property set in a quiet area across the road from the coastline, a five-minute drive from the center of Praia da Vitoria. Rooms have a bright and modern, if simple design, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and shower/tub combos. Junior Suites add kitchenettes and living spaces. On-site features include a sleek ocean-view outdoor pool with adjacent above-ground hot tub, a sauna, playground, and gym. There's no full restaurant, but a bar serves snacks and all rates include buffet breakfasts with bread and pastries, eggs, pancakes, cold meats and cheeses, and yogurt, plus well-regarded coffee. Although not as modern, it's worth comparing rates with Terceira Mar Hotel in nearby Angra do Heroísmo, which has a restaurant serving regional and international fare, and a spa offering massage treatments.
The 28-room Atlantida Mar is a contemporary, upper-middle-range property set in a quiet area across the road from the coastline, a five-minute drive from the center of Praia da Vitoria. Rooms have a bright and modern, if simple design, as well as flat-screen TVs, kettles, minibars, and shower/tub combos. Junior Suites add kitchenettes and living spaces. On-site features include a sleek ocean-view outdoor pool with adjacent above-ground hot tub, a sauna, playground, and gym. There's no full restaurant, but a bar serves snacks and all rates include buffet breakfasts with bread and pastries, eggs, pancakes, cold meats and cheeses, and yogurt, plus well-regarded coffee. Although not as modern, it's worth comparing rates with Terceira Mar Hotel in nearby Angra do Heroísmo, which has a restaurant serving regional and international fare, and a spa offering massage treatments.
One of the main draws of this upscale hotel is its location in the stunning Terra Nostra Botanical Park, which encompasses 31 acres of gorgeous gardens studded with different species of flowers and trees. Guests have free access to the garden's geothermic pool, and other on-site wellness features include two outdoor thermal whirlpools, a lovely indoor pool, and a spa with saunas and steam rooms. There's a restaurant on-site that serves tasty (but pricey) Azorean fare -- and breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel dates back to the 1930s and its chic interiors and 86 guest rooms reflect an Art Deco style. All rooms have private balconies and flat-screen TVs. For an alternative, the four-pearl Furnas Lake Villas offers modern Scandi-style bungalows with kitchens and living rooms.
One of the main draws of this upscale hotel is its location in the stunning Terra Nostra Botanical Park, which encompasses 31 acres of gorgeous gardens studded with different species of flowers and trees. Guests have free access to the garden's geothermic pool, and other on-site wellness features include two outdoor thermal whirlpools, a lovely indoor pool, and a spa with saunas and steam rooms. There's a restaurant on-site that serves tasty (but pricey) Azorean fare -- and breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel dates back to the 1930s and its chic interiors and 86 guest rooms reflect an Art Deco style. All rooms have private balconies and flat-screen TVs. For an alternative, the four-pearl Furnas Lake Villas offers modern Scandi-style bungalows with kitchens and living rooms.