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.