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The best Madeira beach hotels

The five-star Cliff Bay stands on a promontory with direct access to the sea and beautiful views over the Bay of Funchal.
The five-star Cliff Bay stands on a promontory with direct access to the sea and beautiful views over the Bay of Funchal.

An insider's guide to the top beach hotels in Madeira, including the best for sea access, ocean views, infinity pools, luxury services and spas, in locations including Funchal, Arco de Calheta, Porto Moniz and Ponta do Sol. Please note that Madeira doesn't have very many sandy beaches, so some of the hotel recommendations below include those with direct access to the sea from a promenade or rocks. 

belmond reid's palace, madeira, portugal
belmond reid's palace, madeira, portugal

Belmond Reid's Palace

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

9Telegraph expert rating

For over a century, Reid’s Palace has welcomed guests to its luxurious haven on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Traditional interiors celebrating the hotel’s British heritage look onto lush sub-tropical gardens of honeysuckle and jade vine, the pools, and the sea beyond. The hotel organises wine tastings for its guests, as well as dancing classes for everything from the tango to the waltz. There are two tennis courts with a coach available for lessons, and a variety of both seawater and freshwater swimming pools. There is also direct access to the sea via stairs built into the rocks. Afternoon Tea at Reid’s has long been famed for its scones with clotted cream and finger sandwiches on the terrace. Read expert review From £272per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Madeira

savoy saccharum resort & spa, madeira, portugal
savoy saccharum resort & spa, madeira, portugal

Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa

Arco da Calheta, Madeira, Portugal

8Telegraph expert rating

The sleek, cutting edge design of this Madeira hotel was inspired by the island’s sugar cane industry. Interior designer Nini Andrade Silva has woven references to it throughout the 243 rooms and suites rooting the resort in the local heritage. It's on the south coast of Madeira, between the sea and the mountains, and by the double-sided, artificially-created sandy beaches of Calheta. There are three, outdoor, heated, swimming pools – one is a daringly designed infinity pool which gives the illusion of jutting into the sea. The spa is well-equipped with sensory showers, a pool and whirlpool tub, treatment rooms specialising in Ila products. The Garapa Bar on the second floor serves cocktails with a sea view whilst Calhau Bar is actually on the beach in front of the hotel. Read expert review From £85per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Where to stay and what to do in Madeira

The Cliff Bay, Portugal
The Cliff Bay, Portugal

The Cliff Bay

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

9Telegraph expert rating

The five-star Cliff Bay stands on a promontory with direct access to the sea and beautiful views over the Bay of Funchal. Superior rooms and suites are situated on the top four floors with large balconies overlooking Funchal harbour and the ocean. The highlight is the Il Gallo d'Oro, the only Michelin-starred restaurant on the island, where Chef Benoît Sinthon delivers locally sourced dishes. Facilities are excellent and include: games room with snooker, a tennis court, three swimming pools, a solarium, an outdoor whirlpool tub, a spa with ESPA products, Turkish bath, sauna, gym and a hairdresser. A free shuttle bus runs into the town centre. Read expert review From £120per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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aqua natura, madeira, portugal
aqua natura, madeira, portugal

Aqua Natura

Porto Moniz, Madeira, Portugal

8Telegraph expert rating

Situated on the north of the island, the aptly named Aqua Natura Hotel neighbours a remarkable series of natural swimming pools formed by volcanic rocks, into which the sea flows in and out. The 25 spacious, modern rooms have views over the Atlantic Ocean, as does the inviting restaurant. White stone terraces off the main building and each of the bedrooms look out onto the sea, making ideal sundowner spots. The hotel is next to a diving centre which can arrange diving in the Madeira Aquarium and the natural pools. There is a cable car which takes you up over the green mantle of the island to otherwise inaccessible beauty spots and there are also a variety of Levada walks close by. Read expert review From £69per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in the Algarve

hotel da vila, madeira, portugal
hotel da vila, madeira, portugal

Hotel da Vila

Ponta do Sol, Madeira, Portugal

9Telegraph expert rating

A chic option close to the beach in what is considered to be the sunniest part of Madeira. Above, craggy cliffs surround the town and above that, banana and sugarcane plantations roll down the hills. Just in front of Hotel da Villa is a diving centre and the pebbly beach is just across the road. There are numerous surfing beaches nearby. Well known architect and designer Duarte Caldeira has cunningly wrought his ‘chic & rural’ concept on what used to be the town’s prison. Decoration draws on wood and stone from the surrounding mountains mixed with Portuguese tiles. All guests can use the facilities of sister hotel Estalagem Ponta do Sol, which has an infinity pool, whirlpool tub and spa. Read expert review From £60per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Porto

melia madeira mare, portugal
melia madeira mare, portugal

Meliá Madeira Mare

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

8Telegraph expert rating

A dazzling white presence on Funchal’s Lido, this contemporary, design-centric hotel offers 220 rooms, an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a health spa and a Malo medical and dental clinic. There are three restaurants and two bars, where local specialities come with an ocean view. The hotel has direct access to the acclaimed Gorgulho Beach. All with balconies and most with partial or whole sea view, rooms in the Meliá are elegantly minimalistic and come in muted tones of creams and white, amethyst and pale jade. Open-plan public areas benefit from huge floor to ceiling windows. Read expert review From £91per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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the royal savoy, funchal, madeira
the royal savoy, funchal, madeira

The Royal Savoy Hotel

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

8Telegraph expert rating

Elegant interiors reflect Portugal’s ‘golden age of discovery’, with art and furniture from Asia and Africa. Standing at the ocean’s edge, with private access to the sea, its 174 rooms and suites overlook the harbour and beyond. There is an excellent spa and seductive indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including a seawater pool with a swim up bar. The excellent Royal Spa houses a sauna, solarium and steam room, a large indoor pool, whirlpool tub and tropical showers. The elegantly decorated room are all spacious with furnished balconies and magnificent ocean views. Read expert review From £245per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

The best hotels in Alentejo

albatroz beach & yacht club, madeira, portugal
albatroz beach & yacht club, madeira, portugal

Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club

Santa Cruz, Madeira, Portugal

8Telegraph expert rating

This traditional Quinta (farmhouse) on the cliffs of Santa Cruz Bay has private access to the sea. It has three swimming pools (two down by the sea), a tennis court and 20 comfortable rooms with balconies looking out to the Atlantic. Handsome interiors draw on the island’s characteristic handicrafts; tiled floors, wicker chairs and typical hand-painted, decorative, tiles. A naval theme runs throughout the hotel on fabrics and tiles. Though the airport is just behind the property, views gives onto the Atlantic and the Desertas Islands. The town of Santa Cruz with its church dating from 1533, is a 10-minute walk away. A little further inland is Camacha, famous for its wicker handicrafts. Read expert review From £136per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Register Log in commenting policy