“Once seen, felt, and experienced, there is not a scintilla of doubt that this island deserves its majestic
crown.”
It’s hard to think of any other island in the world quite like Madeira. With its rich colonial
history, cultural heritage, winemaking tradition, abundant lifestyle, gastronomy, incredible
landscapes, jaw-dropping coastal scenery, and the sheer beauty of nature, Madeira puts the extra in
extraordinary and literally takes your breath away.
I barely believed all the rave reviews until I saw Madeira with my own eyes. All it took was a Jeep
adventure with Adventureland Madeira to the top of Pico do Arieiro, one of the island’s highest
peaks, to watch the sunrise rising from the ocean above a sea of clouds. That was enough to
convince me of Madeira’s enchantment. As if that spell wasn’t enough, I climbed to the edge of Cabo
Girão, the island’s highest cliff. I later waxed lyrical at the sight of the Seixal seascape, where
lush, verdant mountains clash dramatically with a dazzlingly blue Atlantic. It truly doesn’t take
much to convince anyone of the unparalleled majesty of this place, a mighty rock that, for
centuries, has inspired dreamers and adventurers to live the earthly dream that is Madeira.
It’s true when they say you can do so much in a day on this island. It’s perfectly feasible to be
sipping Madeira wines by day at a wine lodge in Funchal, having lunch at a gastronomic restaurant,
tucking into luscious seafood rice, and then going for a lovely afternoon hike along a levada trail
in the UNESCO-preserved Laurisilva Forest. You could then head to Seixal beach for a plunge,
followed by a wine tasting on a hilltop vineyard overlooking the sea, and finish the day at Ponta
do Sol, enjoying dinner and cocktails with the sun setting on a paradisiacal horizon. It’s a full
day, but it goes to show the wild variety of experiences on offer here.
It’s called the island of eternal spring for a reason, and its subtropical allure has helped
blossom Madeira’s reputation for being colourful and vibrant. The island’s abundant flora and
mineral- rich volcanic soil have given it a marvellously fruitful history of sugar cane and banana
plantations, as well as an even more successful wine trade, one that arguably put Madeira on the
map and gave the island a real prestige it continues to enjoy today.
“Once seen, felt, and experienced, there is not a scintilla of doubt that this island deserves its
majestic crown.”
Come for the glorious quintas and historic wine-trade estates that boomed in Madeira during the
18th and 19th centuries, offering guests a time-capsule experience, such as Quintinha São João. Or
indulge in the ultra- modern and extraordinarily designed Savoy Palace, a premier hotel resort that
captures your dream stay in Madeira.
The island’s spellbinding aura, its richly conceived botanical gardens (see: Monte Palace Tropical
Gardens), its flavourful fusion of Anglo-Portuguese and Madeiran gastronomy, its sublimely unique
wines, and the incredibly welcoming and friendly people I’ve encountered here make Madeira truly
one of a kind. At first glance, it might just be a rock in the middle of a vast ocean, but once
seen, felt, and experienced, there is not a scintilla of doubt that this island deserves its
majestic crown as a true jewel of the Atlantic.
SAVOY PALACE
In the capital of Funchal, the Savoy Palace towers like architectural royalty, reigning over the
sparkling coastline. Rising above the old Savoy Hotel, this contemporary monolith is all glass,
steel, and slate from a distance, but up close, it is a resort that brings luxury to life, paying
homage to Madeira in both its grand and intricate details.
This colossal resort has something for everyone, boasting 352 impeccably decorated rooms and
suites with enviable ocean views, five superior restaurants, two expansive breakfast rooms, and
multiple pool spaces to lounge in, including a grand pool and a rooftop infinity pool. There are
also several excellent bars, a tea room, a
stunning botanical garden with a cornucopia of flora, and, ultimately, the cavernous, award-
winning, subterranean Laurea Spa, the kind of world-class relaxation that must be experienced to be
believed.
This is a place where you can truly immerse yourself, and you’ll never run out of dining options.
There’s Hibiscus and Orchidaceae Restaurants for breakfast and daily fare, and across the enormous
pool, there’s Alameda Restaurant for sun-kissed Mediterranean lunches and cocktail hours.
Inside the hotel, there’s the delightful Pau de Lume, blending authentic Portuguese cuisine with
innovative all-day dining and focusing on the concept of sharing. For an arguably superior
experience, there’s the wonderfully colonial- inspired Terreiro on the grounds of the old Savoy,
mixing 19th-century ambience with the appealing delights of a botanical garden.
Finally, there’s Galáxia, Savoy’s highest fine dining gastronomic experience, perched quite
literally in the heavens atop the magnificent building. Here, Chef Roberto Barros pays homage to
authentic Madeiran cuisine while incorporating international influences into the tasting menus. The
wine pairings are equally impressive, offering head-spinning flavours to match the breathtaking
panoramic views of Madeira.
Staying at this inspiring resort feels like a dream. Despite its grandeur, Savoy Palace offers a
truly wholesome, intimate, world-class, yet boutique hotel-level hospitality. The service here is
outstanding, with staff always ready to make you feel at home, turning escapism into reality. It’s
truly a dream destination that, once you leave, makes you want to book a revisit immediately.
QUINTINHA SÃO JOÃO
For those seeking a classic getaway just a stone’s throw from the historic heart of Funchal, Quintinha São João offers exemplary Madeiran hospitality, combining five-star luxury amenities with the intimacy of a small boutique hotel.
This 19th-century Quintinha (a smaller-scale Quinta, or noble historic property that has existed in
Madeira for centuries) simmers with timeless charm and antique touches while never losing sight of
modern comforts. With 42 spacious rooms and suites, each featuring wonderful balconies overlooking
a botanical garden with century-old trees, this property provides a cosy refuge from the hustle and
bustle of the Madeiran capital. The warmest of welcomes awaits from the outstanding staff, who make
you feel at home from the moment you arrive.
Despite its size, Quintinha São João is well- facilitated. It houses its own Morgadinha Restaurant
in a traditional Portuguese setting, combining local Madeiran fare with Goan cuisine, with dishes
that are plated exquisitely, satisfying both the eye and the palate. The Vasco da Gama piano bar is
perfect for lunches and afternoon tea, and by night, it transforms into a stylish spot for
cocktails and live music.
The hotel’s greatest asset, however, is its wellness aspect, with the well-appointed Spa da
Quintinha offering relaxation through personal treatments, massages, a sauna and water circuit, or
simply downtime by the heated outdoor pool. For extra tranquillity, there’s a blissful rooftop pool
surrounded by tree canopies, with views stretching over Funchal and out to sea.
The modest yet sublime garden, lush with tropical plants and exotic species, adds to the serenity;
just strolling through it is revitalising. In essence, Quintinha São João captures and offers a
delightful Madeiran experience in an understated yet truly memorable way, providing a small but
sweet sanctuary for your Funchal holiday.
ADVENTURELAND MADEIRA
Madeira deserves to be explored, an island promising thrilling adventures across mountain peaks,
forests, and coastal roads that offer breathtaking scenery and heart- stopping moments. There’s no
better way to experience it than on a 4×4 off-road tour with Adventureland Madeira, which provides
an authentic, premium exploration of the island with the most qualified and professional guides.
While most tours take you to the same crowded spots, Adventureland takes you off the beaten track, revealing the island’s hidden gems and viewpoints known only to locals. From sunrise at Pico do Arieiro to the vineyards of the north coast, a magical walk through Fanal Forest, and a dip at Seixal or Porto Moniz, every tour is flexible, personalised, and unforgettable.
This is not just a tour, it’s the ultimate way to experience the raw beauty of Madeira.
