The 8 Best Resorts in Madeira, Portugal – 2025 Full Guide
We analyzed all the options and found the most best resorts in Madeira Portugal that might just completely reset how you picture island relaxation.
This collection blends luxurious coastal properties, lush garden retreats, and cliffside marvels with sweeping Atlantic views. These Madeira Portugal resorts combine beach access, spa amenities, exquisite dining, and incredible room types across a landscape that’s as vertical as it is vivid.
Some resorts deliver quiet corners for reading or rejuvenation, while others are full of energy and group-friendly perks. Either way, there’s no shortage of sunshine, fresh seafood, or unforgettable viewpoints.
Whether you want to be perched on a rugged edge of Funchal or just a few steps from golden volcanic sand, these Madeira beach resorts are really built to impress in every sense.
Table of Contents
Methodology
To determine the best resorts Madeira has to offer in 2025, we combed through thousands of public traveler ratings and insider write-ups from Google Reviews, TripAdvisor, and Expedia.
In that case, we looked for highly-rated amenities, thoughtful room layouts, proximity to water, service consistency, and overall experience across both families and adults-only stays.
We compared what guests consistently raved about versus the features that occasionally missed the mark. That approach gave us a pretty solid way to rank the best resorts in Madeira that actually deliver on their promises. Ok, so here’s what we found.
The 8 Best Madeira Resorts – Updated for 2025
8. Reid’s Palace, Madeira
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Perched roughly 130 feet above the Atlantic with panoramic cliffside ocean views
- Over 10 acres of subtropical gardens and walking paths
- 3 outdoor heated pools, including one saltwater pool
Reid’s Palace is a historic gem that, in a way, brings a slightly old-world elegance to the modern-day resorts Madeira offers.
Built in the 1890s, this grand pink property is slightly tucked above Funchal, giving you sky-meets-sea views and dramatic sunsets that seem to hit differently.
The resort has 111 guest rooms and 47 suites, all styled with light color palettes, marble bathrooms, and spacious balconies or patios. You’re not getting cookie-cutter layouts here—every suite has its own character.
The on-site spa sits just above the waterline and uses locally sourced botanicals in their treatments, which is honestly pretty refreshing.
Dining includes Michelin-starred William Restaurant and the more casual yet incredibly scenic Pool Terrace. This resort usually appeals to couples and honeymooners, but it’s got enough space and peace for solo guests too.
Afternoon tea service on the garden terrace is worth booking even if you’re not staying here.
7. Pestana Promenade – Most Affordable
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Positioned just steps from the Lido Promenade and Atlantic shoreline
- 2 large swimming pools and full spa with hydrotherapy circuit
- Some of the best value-for-price stays among resorts in Madeira Portugal
Pestana Promenade stands out as the most budget-friendly option on this list that still manages to feel upscale in its own right.
It’s right along the Lido Promenade in Funchal, so you’re never more than a short stroll from cliff-backed swimming areas or beach clubs.
This resort features nearly 110 rooms and suites, and while the decor might be simple, it’s clean and bright with direct access to sea-view balconies.
Pools are large and surrounded by palm-dotted sun decks. There’s also a well-equipped gym and a very chill wellness center that includes steam rooms and water-jet therapy tubs.
Food-wise, you’ve got a buffet-style restaurant and an à la carte grill with an outdoor terrace, and drinks tend to flow generously in the early evening.
This place really clicks with groups and families looking for a social setting but also somewhere to actually relax. In short, Pestana Promenade is where comfort meets casual, and its great prices make it one of the best Madeira Portugal resorts for those on a budget.
6. Saccharum
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located directly beside Calheta Beach and marina
- 3 rooftop infinity pools plus a spa with chromotherapy and aromatherapy rooms
- Offers design-focused interiors inspired by Madeira’s sugar cane history
With a name that nods to Madeira’s sugar industry past, Saccharum is one of those Madeira beach resorts that puts art, architecture, and oceanside serenity together in one pretty bold package.
The resort hugs the Calheta coastline with rooms angled to maximize sunlight and sea views from virtually every corner.
Inside, you’ll find dark tones and modern industrial accents that make each suite feel more like a stylish city apartment. There are more than 240 rooms, including spa suites and multi-room family layouts.
The spa here feels like a gallery, filled with textures and scents that shift with each treatment zone. There’s also a rooftop lounge that turns into an entertainment venue in the evenings, plus a few varied dining spaces serving both local fare and international dishes.
Guests often mention how friendly the staff are and how much there is to do in walking distance, including boat tours and hiking trails. For travelers who want something fresh, Saccharum is an easy pick.
5. Casa Velha do Palheiro Relais & Chateaux
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Set within a 120-acre estate in the Palheiro Gardens
- 18-hole championship golf course on-site
- 40-minute drive from Pico do Arieiro and major hiking points
Casa Velha do Palheiro is where you go when you’re looking for a completely peaceful, garden-wrapped escape that’s still close enough to reach town without a full-day excursion.
This boutique property is part of the Relais & Châteaux family, and it truly holds its own with top-notch service and detail, making it one of the most luxurious Madeira Portugal resorts out there.
There are just 37 rooms and suites here, each outfitted with rich woods, antique furniture, and cushy linens that almost invite a midday nap.
The estate includes the famous Palheiro Gardens, a historic and very photogenic spot that’s great for slow walks. On-site, you’ll also find a full-service spa and wellness area with a sauna, Turkish bath, and indoor pool.
The restaurant has a short but elegant menu, often using herbs grown directly on the property. Casa Velha isn’t located on the beach, but it makes up for that with its lush scenery and golf-focused vibe.
If nature trails, classical design, and bird-watching sound like your thing, this one delivers effortlessly.
4. Quinta Jardins do Lago – Best-Seller
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located on a hilltop botanical estate just above Funchal
- Home to over 500 plant species and its own 100-year-old tortoise mascot
- Large freshwater pool, orchid garden, and 32 rooms total
Quinta Jardins do Lago feels more like a well-kept private residence than a resort, which could be why so many travelers absolutely keep coming back to this place.
The property wraps itself in botanical gardens, koi ponds, and wandering paths that make you forget you’re only minutes from downtown Funchal.
Each of the 32 rooms is individually styled, with warm colors, French doors, and balconies that peek into garden areas or the distant Atlantic.
There’s a charming little restaurant that serves regional cuisine with a gourmet edge, and breakfast is usually made to order with organic options available.
This resort is known for peace and slow days, often booked by honeymooners and mature guests. There’s no beach access right outside, but the view from the hillside compensates with incredible sunsets and total privacy.
Be on the lookout for their famous Galapagos tortoise named Colombo that usually steals the spotlight for first-time guests.
3. Les Suites at The Cliff Bay
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located directly on a cliff with direct elevator access to sea-level platform
- Luxury suites with private hot tubs and personalized service
- Michelin-starred restaurant on property
Les Suites at The Cliff Bay is the quieter, more luxurious wing of the well-known Cliff Bay resort, and it’s pretty much built for guests who want a blend of privacy and prime ocean access, making it one of the best resorts Madeira offers today.
Suites here are designed with muted tones and luxe materials, offering wide terraces and deep soaking tubs or jacuzzis.
The resort sits dramatically above the ocean, with an elevator that takes you down to a sunbathing platform by the water, which is great for swimmers or snorkelers.
The design is contemporary, but not cold—think artful comfort. The gardens surrounding the area are filled with flowers, and there’s an infinity-edge pool looking out over the Atlantic.
The two on-site restaurants include one that’s Michelin-starred and another that focuses on seasonal tasting menus. The vibe here is generally peaceful and polished, attracting couples and small groups.
It’s not the biggest property among all Madeira resorts, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in every other way.
2. Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina – Top Value Pick
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Direct beachfront access in Ribeira Brava
- Multiple restaurants and bars with international cuisine options
- Family-friendly amenities including water slides and kids’ clubs
Dreams Madeira might be the most balanced among Madeira resorts when it comes to full-service comfort at a price point that still feels accessible.
Set right along the coastline in Ribeira Brava, the resort sprawls across several buildings with lush landscaping, wide walking paths, and a huge focus on family experiences, making it one of the best Madeira beach resorts for those who want to be on the water.
There are dozens of room types to choose from, including ocean-view family suites, adult-only sections, and swim-up units. The pools are oversized and come with lounge islands and shaded zones, and the spa offers everything from deep-tissue massages to hammam rituals.
For families, this is easily one of the resorts in Madeira Portugal that checks all the boxes without feeling overstuffed.
Dining options include a mix of themed restaurants, buffets, and beachside snacks, and there’s always some form of live music or entertainment at night.
There’s even a small marina nearby with options for sailing and diving. It’s a complete package without the overwhelming feeling you sometimes get from big all-inclusive resorts.
1. The Reserve – Top Overall
Location & Prices: Check on Google Maps
Key Highlights:
- Located above Funchal with sweeping panoramic views
- Private butler service for all suite categories
- Access to sister properties’ dining and spa services
At the very top of our list sits The Reserve, which we think is the best resort in Madeira Portugal simply because it doesn’t really compromise on anything.
It’s all about high-end design, bespoke service, and spaces that almost seem like they were hand-curated for each guest. Every suite comes with butler service, private entrances, and floor-to-ceiling glass views of the ocean or city below.
This resort is perched slightly above Funchal, so you get total quiet with easy access to town when you want it. Guests here also get exclusive access to a broader collection of sister properties, so you’re never short on restaurant choices, spa sessions, or private lounges.
The food is layered and complex, with menus created by regional chefs who know how to blend traditional flavors with modern techniques.
The design is bold but not busy, with stone, wood, and neutral colors creating a relaxed but clearly upscale vibe.
The Reserve isn’t the cheapest, obviously, but, if you’re looking for something completely unforgettable—it actually delivers. At the end of the day, that’s what sets it apart from the rest as the best resort in Madeira.
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