Arrival/Check-In: We landed early at Madeira Airport, an architectural highlight, picked up a rental car and took a short drive through Funchal before heading to the hotel. After riding the cable car up to Monte and visiting the Botanical Gardens, we returned to check in. The hotel sits just west of the center of town, perched on a high hill with sweeping views of the harbor and ocean.
Our room was not ready when we arrived at 3 p.m., so we waited in the lobby lounge for about an hour before completing the check-in process.
Guest Quarters: We stayed in room 508, a mini suite with views over the west end of the harbor and out to the Atlantic. The suite opens with a wooden-floored entrance hallway and a large bathroom to the left. The main room features a king-size bed with bedside tables, and at the far end a sitting area with a table and two upholstered chairs flanks the doors to a private patio. The patio provides outdoor seating with two white wicker chairs and a matching table, a pleasant spot to watch the harbor.
Inside, the right side of the room houses a writing desk and a wooden chest that contains a well-stocked minibar and a flat-screen television. The suite is comfortable and well appointed, though it feels a bit tight once luggage is in place. The closet is thoughtfully designed with glass-fronted drawers for easy visibility and ample hanging space for coats and jackets. As a welcome touch, every guest receives a carafe of Madeira wine.
The bathroom is generous in size with a separate tub and shower and double sinks. The walls are clad in subtly tinted pink marble, and toiletries are provided by the hotel’s own brand.
Services and Amenities: The hotel offers several dining options. If you plan to dine at William, the property’s Michelin-starred restaurant, make reservations before you arrive on the island. We enjoyed several meals on the veranda beside the lobby and dining room where the staff proved friendly and knowledgeable, especially with wine selections. At the hotel’s Ristorante Villa Cipriani we were able to secure a table by booking the night before; for peace of mind, it’s best to reserve ahead for this and other top-rated Madeira restaurants. Villa Cipriani offers lovely outdoor seating when weather permits; I had beef carpaccio to start and a shrimp pasta for the main course, both very enjoyable.
One cultural note: smoking is common in outdoor dining areas on Madeira, and even open-air seating can include a smoking section that becomes quite noticeable.
Breakfast at the hotel is extensive and served on one of the pool levels. You can choose from a generous buffet or order cooked items from the menu. The property also hosts high tea and provides three swimming pools on tiers near the ocean—two saltwater pools and one freshwater pool—so there are plenty of options for relaxation.
The hotel’s location makes it easy to walk into the center of Funchal to explore sights and eat at nearby restaurants. The property is also a convenient base for exploring the island: you can drive yourself or ask the hotel to arrange a car with a driver for a reasonable fee.
Top takeaways:
◆ Practice driving a manual transmission if possible; Madeira’s hills are steep and many roads are narrow.
◆ Ride the cable car up to the Monte Botanical Gardens as a good introduction to Funchal.
◆ Madeira is a quieter golf destination with two courses on the main island and another on Porto Santo. The hotel can reserve tee times and arrange a shuttle; a ferry is required for Porto Santo and golf-and-lunch packages are often available.
Belmond Reid’s Palace
Estrada Monumental 139
9000-098 Funchal
Madeira, Portugal
tel 351 291 71 71 71