PortoBay Santa Maria

🔞 Adults-only hideaway (16+) for peaceful escapes
📍 Prime oceanfront location at the edge of Funchal Old Town
🌊 All rooms with balcony and kitchenette, many with sea views
🌱 Certified Sustainable Hotel meeting GSTC-recognised standards
🧘 Serene indoor & outdoor pool areas plus rooftop terrace
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Board options: Bed & Breakfast, Half Board, Half Board Plus
Minimum age: 16 years (adults-only)

Rooms: 146 | Floors: 3 | Lifts: 4

Set right on the waterfront at the eastern edge of Funchal Old Town, PortoBay Santa Maria places you within moments of everything that makes Madeira’s capital so compelling. Step outside and you’re 50m from cobbled lanes lined with traditional tavernas, wine bars and street art, or wander 100m to São Tiago pebble beach for a morning dip.

The cable car to Monte sits just up the promenade, while the marina and modern city centre are an easy stroll away. Stay put for Atlantic sunsets and cruise-ship views, or use the hotel as a relaxed base for levada walks, botanical gardens and wine-tasting in the hills above town.

• Oceanfront promenade location
• 50m to Funchal Old Town
• 50m to nearest restaurants, bars and local nightlife
• 100m to São Tiago pebble beach
• 150m to cable car station (for Monte)
• 400m to Funchal marina
• 500m to Funchal resort centre

Approx. transfer time from airport: 50 minutes

Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Wake to buffet breakfasts with fresh fruit, pastries and Madeiran specialties, and wind down over relaxed dinners that mix local flavours with international favourites.

Arsenal Restaurant
The main restaurant serves a combination of buffet and à la carte dishes for breakfast and dinner, with international, Italian and regional Madeiran cuisine. Expect occasional set three-course menus during the week, giving a more intimate, restaurant-style experience. Smart-casual dress is requested in the evenings (no beachwear; long trousers for gentlemen).

Captains Bar
An atmospheric cocktail bar, open roughly 18:00–00:00, ideal for pre-dinner drinks or a leisurely nightcap while live music plays on selected evenings.

Promenade Pool Bar
Casual pool bar serving drinks and light bites right by the water – perfect for lazy days when you don’t want to leave your lounger.

Board basis details (subject to change):
• Bed & Breakfast – buffet-style breakfast.
• Half Board – buffet-style breakfast and dinner, with 2–3 nights per week served as a set 3-course dinner.
• Half Board Plus (usually winter) – all Half Board inclusions plus one drink per person at dinner (choice of soft drink, glass of local wine or local beer).

What All Inclusive typically includes.

PortoBay Santa Maria is designed around calm, easy-going pool days with the Atlantic as your backdrop.

• Outdoor freshwater pool framed by sunbeds and parasols, with a whirlpool corner and views towards Funchal harbour.
• Indoor heated freshwater pool, ideal for cooler days or quiet laps.
• Whirlpool and surrounding sunbathing terrace for slow, spa-like afternoons.
• Free pool towels are provided, so you can pack lighter.

The nearest beach, São Tiago’s small pebble cove, lies about 100m away along the promenade, while the lido complexes and Praia Formosa’s black-sand-and-pebble stretch are a short taxi ride for longer sea-swim sessions.

Wellness at PortoBay Santa Maria is unhurried and low-key, with everything on hand to balance city exploring with downtime.

Spa & Wellness
• Spa area with sauna, whirlpool and relaxation space*
• Menu of massages and body or beauty treatments* (typically 10:00–19:00; treatments from 18+)

Fitness & Leisure
• Air-conditioned gym with cardio equipment, free weights, fixed strength machines and stretching zone (approx. 08:00–20:00; 16+)

Other Facilities
• 24-hour reception and friendly concierge-style support
• Luggage storage for late departures or early arrivals
• Lounge areas and gardens overlooking the Atlantic

*Spa and selected facilities may incur an extra charge; opening hours can vary seasonally.

Every room at PortoBay Santa Maria offers the convenience of a kitchenette and the pleasure of outdoor space, so you can blend self-catering flexibility with hotel-level service. Expect warm Madeiran styling, plenty of natural light and thoughtful touches like kettles and fridges as standard.

Studios
Sleeps 2–3
Well-proportioned open-plan studios with a sleeping and living area plus kitchenette.
Amenities typically include:
• Balcony
• Flat-screen TV
• Free Wi‑Fi
• Safety deposit box
• Kettle and fridge
• Double cooking rings
• Bathroom with bath and shower attachment
• Hairdryer
• Air conditioning
• Daily cleaning service

Studio for Sole Use
Sleeps 1
All the features of a standard Studio, tailored for solo travellers who value extra space and privacy.

Studio with Side Sea View
Sleeps 2–3
As per Studios, with a partial view of the Atlantic from the balcony. Also available for Sole Use for solo guests.

Studio with Sea View
Sleeps 2–3
Upgraded outlook with direct or wide-angle ocean views from the balcony or terrace.
Added extras may include:
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Coffee-making facilities
• Fridge-freezer

Also available: Studio with Sea View for Sole Use – perfect if you’re travelling alone but still want those big ocean vistas.

Junior Suites
Sleeps 2–3
More spacious accommodation with a seating area and either a side sea or full sea view from the balcony.
Features include:
• Balcony
• Flat-screen TV
• Free Wi‑Fi
• Safety deposit box
• Kettle and fridge
• Double cooking rings
• Bathroom with bath and shower attachment
• Hairdryer
• Air conditioning
• Daily cleaning service

Junior Suites are also available for Sole Use and as Junior Suites with Sea View for a guaranteed ocean-facing balcony.

Superior Room & Superior Studio with Sea View
Sleeps 1–3 (room) or 2–3 (studio)
Elegant top-category options with sea views, balcony or terrace and upgraded in-room amenities such as bathrobes, slippers, coffee-making facilities and fridge-freezer, alongside double cooking rings and daily cleaning.

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

🎵 Daily evening entertainment with live music (typically year‑round)
🏊 Relaxed indoor and outdoor swimming
💪 Gym sessions in the air-conditioned fitness room
🧖 Spa time with sauna and whirlpool*
🌆 Rooftop viewing of Funchal fireworks and city events (seasonal)

Madeira shines outdoors, so it’s easy to pair your stay with levada walks, dolphin- and whale-watching boat trips, wine tasting, cable car rides to Monte and toboggan runs back down into town, all easily arranged locally.

🛎️ 24-hour reception and helpful multilingual staff
🧳 Luggage storage for early arrivals and late departures
🧴 Spa and beauty treatments* (18+)
♻️ Certified Sustainable Hotel with GSTC-recognised practices
🌐 Free Wi‑Fi throughout the property

*Selected services and facilities carry an extra charge, payable locally.

PortoBay Santa Maria – Need to know
• Location: Oceanfront, on the edge of Funchal Old Town, Madeira
• Airport: Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International (FNC), approx. 50 minutes’ transfer
• Minimum age: 16 years (adults-only)
• Official rating: 4-star
• Rooms: 146 across 3 floors (4 lifts)
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Time difference: Same as UK (GMT, no time difference)
• Language: Portuguese (English widely spoken in tourist areas)
• Typical UK–Madeira flight time: Around 4 hours

Funchal combines characterful old streets, lido complexes and black-sand beaches with vibrant events such as the Flower Festival, Atlantic Festival and New Year’s Eve fireworks – many visible directly from the hotel’s rooftop or seafront terraces.

Information is based on our latest supplier details and may change; some facilities are seasonal or weather-dependent. For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Portugal advice.

PortoBay Santa Maria Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability and up-to-date offers. Book with low deposits and full ATOL protection for financial peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is PortoBay Santa Maria adults-only?
Yes. PortoBay Santa Maria operates as an adults-only hotel with a minimum guest age of 16 years. That translates into a peaceful, grown-up atmosphere, ideal for couples, solo travellers and friends looking for a quiet base close to Funchal’s sights and restaurants.

2. How close is PortoBay Santa Maria to Funchal Old Town and the beach?
The hotel has an oceanfront position at the edge of Funchal Old Town – the cobbled streets, restaurants and bars are about 50m from the entrance. São Tiago pebble beach is roughly 100m away, reached on foot via the seafront promenade. The marina is about 400m away and the main resort centre around 500m.

3. What board options can I book at PortoBay Santa Maria?
You can book Bed & Breakfast, Half Board or Half Board Plus. Half Board usually includes buffet-style breakfast and dinner, with a set three-course menu served on some evenings instead of a buffet. Half Board Plus typically adds one included drink per person at dinner – your choice of a soft drink, a glass of local wine or a local beer. Exact inclusions and availability can vary by season.

4. Does PortoBay Santa Maria have indoor and outdoor pools?
Yes, the hotel offers both an outdoor freshwater pool with whirlpool and sunbathing terraces, and an indoor heated freshwater pool. Complimentary pool towels are provided. The pools are designed for relaxed swimming and sunbathing rather than lively activities, matching the hotel’s laid-back, adults-only ethos.

5. What spa and fitness facilities are available?
PortoBay Santa Maria features an air-conditioned gym with cardio equipment, free weights, strength machines and a stretching area (generally 8am–8pm, 16+), plus a spa zone with sauna, whirlpool and a menu of massages and beauty treatments for an extra charge (treatments from 18+). Opening hours and services may be adjusted seasonally.

6. How long is the transfer from Madeira Airport (FNC)?
The transfer from Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport to PortoBay Santa Maria is around 50 minutes by road, subject to traffic. Shared or private transfers can be arranged with your holiday booking to make the journey straightforward.

7. Do rooms at PortoBay Santa Maria have kitchen facilities?
Yes. One of the advantages of staying at PortoBay Santa Maria is that studios and junior suites come with kitchenette-style facilities such as double cooking rings, a fridge or fridge-freezer, kettle and basic equipment, alongside hotel comforts like daily cleaning, air conditioning, Wi‑Fi and balconies or terraces.

8. Is PortoBay Santa Maria suitable for guests with mobility issues?
The hotel has 4 lifts and relatively low-rise buildings (3 floors), which may help guests with limited mobility. However, some areas of Funchal Old Town are cobbled and hilly. If you have specific accessibility needs, we recommend speaking to a Travelisto advisor before booking so we can check the most up-to-date information with the hotel.