Top 10 Madeira (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides)

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114
Left Quinta Bela São Tiago room Right Residencial Santa Clara
City-centre Hotels in Funchal
! Quinta Bela
São Tiago
Birdsong and tranquil
gardens make you wonder
whether you really are just
a five-minute stroll from
the busy heart of Funchal.
Rooms – some of them
huge – have views of the
onion-domed church
towers and terracotta
roofs of the Zona Velha
(Old Town). Outdoor pool
and gym. d Rua Bela de
São Tiago 70 • Map P6 •
291 204 500 • www.hotelqta-bela-s-tiago.com
• €€€€
Porto Santa Maria
@ Built on the site of the
city’s former shipyard, the
hotel overlooks Funchal’s
seafront promenade and
is centrally located for
shopping and restaurants.
Two pools and health
club. d Avenida do Mar 50
• Map Q5 • 291 206 700 •
www.portobay.com • €€€€
£ Quinta Perestrello
Set in mature gardens,
this 150-year-old heritage
hotel is a fine example of
the elegant houses built
by Madeiran merchants.
Most of the rooms are in
the old building – those
at the back are quietest.
Swimming pool. d Rua do
Dr Pita 3 • Map G6 • 291
706 700 • www.charming
hotelsmadeira.com • €€€
$ Pestana Casino
Park
If you want nightlife and
entertainment, a stay at
this huge 1960s hotel is
as good as it gets, with a
full programme of dinner
dances and professional
cabaret. The Copacabana
Nightclub and the Madeira
Casino are part of the
complex. Gym, sauna,
pool, tennis courts. d
Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia
55 • Map Q1 • 291 209 100
• www.pestana.com • €€€€
% Quinta do Sol
The Quinta do Sol is
next to a busy road, but
it has rooms overlooking
the quiet green gardens
of the Quinta Magnólia to
the rear, or the hotel’s
own pool terrace. Many
guests return – a credit
to the friendliness of the
staff. Live music and regular
folklore performances.
d Rua do Dr Pita 6 •
Map H6 • 291 707 010 •
www.enotel.com • €€€
^ Windsor
This good-value hotel
is popular with those who
like to be in the midst of
the bustle of the real
Funchal, and don’t need a
gym or lots of restaurants
(though there is a tiny pool
on the roof). It scores by
having friendly staff and a
garage(parking in Funchal
is very difficult). d Rua
das Hortas 4C • Map P4 •
291 233 083 • www.hotelwindsorgroup.com
• €€
& Residencial
Gordon
Located in the quietest
of backstreets almost next
door to the lovely grounds
of the English Church, this
cheap, plainly decorated
hotel is a wonderful retreat
for no-frills travellers. No
English is spoken, so
book with the help of a
Portuguese speaker. d
Rua do Quebra Costas 34 •
Map N1 • 291 742 366 • €
* Residencial Santa
Clara
A house of real charm,
with almost as many cats
as guests, and a cobbled
garden with a tiny creeperhung
pool, the Santa Clara
is stuffed with knick-knacks
collected by the owners.
A few of the rooms at
the back overlook a busy
road, so try for the front
or middle of the house.
d Calçada do Pico 16B •
Map N2 • 291 742 194 • €
( Residencial da
Mariazinha
Funchal’s oldest street is
slowly being restored in
the hope of attracting
new business. This hotel
is one of the first results:
a smart new residence
with nine spacious rooms
and a suite with its own
jacuzzi. d Rua de Santa
Maria 155 • Map P5 • 291
220 239 • www.residencial
damariazinha.com • €€
) Pestana Carlton
Madeira
This big tower block
behind the Savoy wins
no prizes for architecture,
but its garden and pool
complex is equal to those
at any of the nearby luxury
hotels. Opposite
Reid’s, it offers similar
views for a lot less euros.
d Largo António Nobre •
Map H6 • 291 239 500 •
www.pestana.com • €€€€
Note: Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards,
and have ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning