Heritage on the horizon: an Atlantic icon, reimagined
Perched high above the Atlantic on Madeira’s sun-dappled cliffs, Reid’s Palace has been perfecting the art of indulgence since 1891. Step through its pink façade and you’ll find yourself in a world of ocean breezes, botanical perfume, and palms that help you exhale, at long last.
The pace here is deliciously unhurried – mornings begin with sparkling wine breakfasts by the pool, afternoons linger over scones and sea views, and evenings unfold in Michelin-starred splendour. You’ll feel history humming through its marble corridors – Winston Churchill once wrote here, George Bernard Shaw learnt to tango – and yet nothing about the experience feels old-fashioned. From a private swim in the saltwater cove to a sunset spritz at the 1891 Bar, every moment is designed to make you feel like the main character in a particularly glamorous travel novel.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Hotel highlights
Reid’s Palace sits high on Funchal’s cliffside, its pastel façade watching over the Atlantic like a benevolent grand dame. The hotel’s gardens cascade towards the sea, stitched with tropical blooms and narrow stairways that lead to the ocean platform below. From here, it’s a 15-minute stroll to the cafés and markets of Funchal, though few guests ever make it that far – there’s far too much to stop and admire.
Dining here is an event in itself. The Michelin-starred William Restaurant dazzles with Chef José Diogo Costa’s inventive Madeiran flavours – there’s Seixal trout with grape leaves and lobster bisque kissed with seaweed on the menu. Over at Villa Cipriani, the terrace hums with conversation and the scent of truffle pasta. For something lighter, Brisa do Mar serves grilled seafood so fresh it practically winks at you. For a more wholesome affair, why not try the legendary afternoon tea – finger sandwiches, scones, and Champagne against an ocean backdrop. As night falls, the 1891 Bar invites you in with piano music and cocktails inspired by the island’s exotic fruits.
At the spa, the Atlantic itself feels like part of the treatment. Each airy suite opens to a private terrace where waves soundtrack your treatments. Indulge in the Diamond Well-Living Ritual by Natura Bissé – a head-to-toe renewal that leaves skin as soft as sea foam – or try the Regional Aloe Cocoon, a Madeiran secret for soothing sun-kissed skin. For a more vigorous revival, the cliff-top gym is open 24 hours and stocked with Technogym’s best.
Though there’s no sandy beach, Reid’s Palace has something better – a cliff-hugging lift that glides you down to a private ocean platform, complete with sunbeds, ladders, and a diving board for plunging straight into the Atlantic. Two heated pools, one freshwater, one seawater, perch above, so you can swim between garden, pool, and ocean without ever leaving the view.
Reid’s Palace makes it wonderfully easy to do nothing, and equally tempting to do everything. Wake early for a jeep ride to Pico do Arieiro to watch the sunrise above the clouds, complete with butler-served breakfast. Join the hotel’s horticulturalist for a guided garden tour, or craft a souvenir of pressed flowers in the botanical art workshop. Down at sea level, brave the saltwater dive platform for a swim straight into the Atlantic.
Reid’s Palace is proof that family-friendly can still involve a little fabulousness. Little guests are treated like VIPs from the moment they arrive – expect mini bathrobes, children’s toiletries, and a welcome that would make Mary Poppins proud. The Fun@Reid’s kids’ club runs scavenger hunts through the gardens and even cooking workshops with ocean views, while teenagers get their own tech-filled hangout. Babysitters are available when grown-ups crave a Michelin-starred dinner or a quiet cocktail at sunset. Family suites, extra beds, and even cots are happily arranged, because at Reid’s, every generation deserves a touch of old-world glamour.
The view from Villa Cipriani’s terrace at sunset, where Funchal glows golden
Chef José Diogo Costa’s playful twist on Madeira’s “Pé de Cabra” cocktail, served with São Tomé chocolate
That glorious poolside button that summons champagne without you moving a muscle
Facilities
Food & Drink
- 1 Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant serving innovative Madeiran tasting menus with seasonal local ingredients and zero-waste inspired dishes.
- 1 Italian à la carte restaurant offering classic Italian plates with a modern twist served on a sunset terrace overlooking the Atlantic
- 1 oceanfront restaurant celebrating fresh local seafood and seasonal produce
- 1 all-day pool terrace restaurant serving breakfast buffets, light snacks, freshly squeezed juices, and drinks from morning through late afternoon
- 1 gelateria offering tropical fruit sorbets and Portuguese almond liqueur gelato
- 1891 Bar serving inventive cocktails, tea-infused drinks, and light bites, accompanied by live piano music
- 1 afternoon tea experience on the Tea Terrace featuring finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, homemade pastries, 24 loose-leaf teas, or a glass of Champagne
- Poolside and ocean platform service delivering cocktails, snacks, and juices directly to sunbeds
All hotel and room facilities are subject to safety and wellbeing measures (including height and/or weight restrictions on slides and rides), board basis, seasonal availability, opening times, age, dress code, and may attract additional charges.
Entertainment
- Outdoor pool
- Outdoor heated pool
- Kids club
- Playground
- Entertainment programme
- Game room
All hotel and room facilities are subject to safety and wellbeing measures (including height and/or weight restrictions on slides and rides), board basis, seasonal availability, opening times, age, dress code, and may attract additional charges.
Family facilities
- Fun@Reid’s kids' club for ages 3–9, featuring garden scavenger hunts, cooking workshops, and a shallow swimming pool.
- Teen room with gaming and social spaces for ages 10–17
- Family and interconnecting rooms, cots, and extra beds available for children up to 17
- Babysitting services available on request
- Seasonal activities and programmes ensuring entertainment throughout the year, tailored to different age groups
All hotel and room facilities are subject to safety and wellbeing measures (including height and/or weight restrictions on slides and rides), board basis, seasonal availability, opening times, age, dress code, and may attract additional charges.
Sports & Health
- Badminton
- Billiards
- Squash
- Spa centre
- Spa treatments
- Steam bath
- Massage
- Turkish bath (hamam)
- Sauna
- Solarium
- Volleyball
- Tennis
- Gym
All hotel and room facilities are subject to safety and wellbeing measures (including height and/or weight restrictions on slides and rides), board basis, seasonal availability, opening times, age, dress code, and may attract additional charges.
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