Madeira is the “island of eternal spring”: a lush, mountainous Atlantic island with mild weather all year, spectacular levada walks, flower-filled gardens and a relaxed, gracious pace. It is perfect for walkers, garden lovers, food lovers and anyone who wants winter sun without the crowds.
Here are ten of our best-rated hotels on the island, from Funchal’s grand garden retreats to the natural rock pools of Porto Moniz.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Ten top hotels with photos and ratings
- Where to stay in Madeira
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinta Jardins Do Lago | Funchal, Madeira | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Les Suites at The Cliff Bay | Funchal, Madeira | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| Aqua Natura Bay | Porto Moniz, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Studios by Aqua Natura Hotels | Porto Moniz, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Pestana Churchill Bay | Camara de Lobos, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| PortoBay Serra Golf | Santo Da Serra, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Sentido Galomar | Canico, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Full Board Plus, Half Board, Half Board Plus | 4.6/5 | No |
| Pestana Fisherman Village | Camara de Lobos, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Saccharum Resort & Spa | Calheta, Madeira | 5★ | Full Board, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Sentido Galosol | Canico, Madeira | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Full Board Plus, Half Board, Half Board Plus | 4.4/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. Quinta Jardins Do Lago
- Funchal, Madeira
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Quinta Jardins do Lago in Funchal sits in beautiful botanical gardens, with exceptional service and a relaxed ambience, and it is perfect for honeymoons.
Best for: Gardens and romance
2. Les Suites at The Cliff Bay
- Funchal, Madeira
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Les Suites at The Cliff Bay in Funchal has an infinity pool, magnificent sea views, superb service and outstanding dining.
Best for: Food lovers
3. Aqua Natura Bay
- Porto Moniz, Madeira
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Aqua Natura Bay in Porto Moniz has a rooftop pool and ocean views, close to the famous natural lava rock pools.
Best for: Explorers
4. Studios by Aqua Natura Hotels
- Porto Moniz, Madeira
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Studios by Aqua Natura in Porto Moniz has a modern style, a rooftop terrace with whirlpool and a welcoming atmosphere.
Best for: A great base for exploring
5. Pestana Churchill Bay
- Camara de Lobos, Madeira
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Pestana Churchill Bay in Câmara de Lobos has a rooftop pool, modern rooms and a picturesque setting in the fishing village Churchill once painted.
Best for: Village charm
6. PortoBay Serra Golf
- Santo Da Serra, Madeira
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
PortoBay Serra Golf in Santo da Serra has a stunning location, is great for golfers and is certified sustainable.
Best for: Golf and peace
7. Sentido Galomar
- Canico, Madeira
- 4-star
- Full Board Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Sentido Galomar in Caniço has stunning ocean views, stylish décor and warm, friendly service, and it is recommended for adults.
Best for: Grown-up relaxation
8. Pestana Fisherman Village
- Camara de Lobos, Madeira
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Small and friendly Pestana Fisherman Village in Câmara de Lobos has a rooftop terrace with pool and bright, comfortable rooms.
Best for: Small and friendly
9. Saccharum Resort & Spa
- Calheta, Madeira
- 5-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Saccharum Resort & Spa in Calheta is perfect for spa lovers, with an eighth-floor infinity pool, close to Calheta’s sandy beach.
Best for: Spa and sunsets
10. Sentido Galosol
- Canico, Madeira
- 4-star
- Full Board Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Sentido Galosol in Caniço is ideal for an active holiday, with a large outdoor pool, beautiful ocean views and a first-class fitness programme.
Best for: Active travellers
Where to stay in Madeira
Funchal: the capital, with gardens, restaurants, the cable car and the most hotels. Câmara de Lobos: a charming fishing village just west of Funchal. Caniço: quieter, with sea views, east of the capital. Calheta (south-west): the sunniest coast and a golden-sand beach. Porto Moniz (north-west): wild scenery and natural lava pools.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 71 hotels in Madeira. To build this list we started with every hotel on the island, then read what our guests say: every hotel here is well rated on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do in Madeira
Walk the levadas, the island’s historic irrigation channels, take the cable car to Monte and ride the famous wicker toboggans down, visit the Monte Palace Tropical Garden, swim in the Porto Moniz lava pools, and watch the sunrise from Pico do Arieiro.
When to go and getting there
Madeira is a genuine year-round destination. Summer days are warm rather than scorching, typically in the mid-20s °C, while winter days hover around 19 to 20 °C, so it is perfect for winter sun with walking. The south coast around Funchal and Calheta is the sunniest; the north is greener and wetter. Highlights in the calendar include the spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks over Funchal bay, the Flower Festival in spring and the wine festival in late summer. Flights take around three and three-quarter hours from the UK, and Funchal is about 20 to 30 minutes from the airport.
Eating and drinking in Madeira
Try espetada, beef skewers grilled over an open fire, black scabbard fish (often served with banana), lapas (limpets) cooked with garlic butter, and bolo do caco, the island’s garlic flatbread. Madeira wine is famous worldwide, and a tasting at one of Funchal’s historic wine lodges is a must. Poncha, a punchy local drink of sugarcane rum, honey and lemon, is best sampled in a village bar.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Madeira?
Funchal for most visitors, Calheta for sunshine and a beach, and Porto Moniz for scenery.
Is Madeira warm in winter?
Mild, typically around 19 to 20 °C by day, which is why it is called the island of eternal spring.
Does Madeira have beaches?
Mostly rocky coves and lava pools, though Calheta has a golden-sand beach.
How long is the flight to Madeira?
About three and three-quarter hours from the UK.
Find your Madeira holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to plan your levada walks.
Keep planning
- All Madeira hotels
- Portugal holidays
- Best winter-sun hotels under 5 hours
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- Best honeymoon hotels in Europe
- Christmas and New Year in the sun
- Where to stay in Madeira
- Best hotels in Funchal
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
