An Old Town gem with island energy
This place pops you into Funchal’s Old Town, so the good stuff is moments away. Wander to Mercado dos Lavradores for tropical fruit and flowers, amble the painted-door lanes for cafés and poncha bars, then stroll the harbour for dolphin-spotting cruises. Glide up by cable car to Monte for botanical gardens and that iconic wicker toboggan ride back down. Fancy a longer roam? Levada walks, sky-high viewpoints and black-sand coves are easy day trips.
When you return to your cosy base, it’s time to relax. Head up to the roof terrace for views of the Atlantic and cute red-tiled rooftops, plan adventures over coffee in the lounge, and tap up the team for insider eateries and trail tips. There’s free Wi-Fi for mapping, and convenient airport links to keep arrivals smooth.
And bring your appetite. Start with a continental-style breakfast if included, then follow your nose to nearby restaurants for espada com banana, limpets with garlic butter, scabbardfish tacos and pastel de nata pit-stops. Sunset? Grab a Madeiran poncha or sample vintages at a wine lodge before dinner on the promenade. Market mornings, garden afternoons and harbour nights – this hotel makes Funchal feel wonderfully walkable, deliciously local and just the right kind of adventurous.