Amy Adejokun
Section editor
A very comfortable hotel in an exceptional location! Overlooking the ocean, the Cliff Bay will delight those looking for an elegant and refined holiday setting. This is one of our favourites in Madeira. Very large communal areas welcome the hotel's guests and, above all, a spa worthy of its name.
The Cliff Bay - © The Cliff Bay
The Cliff Bay - © The Cliff Bay
On the seafront, in the resort of Funchal, 0.6 mi away from the city centre and 14 mi away from the airport. The city centre is 5 minutes away and transfer time to the airport is 30 minutes.
Of the 201 bedrooms (all renovated in 2006), 12 overlook the hills at the back. The other bedrooms overlook the ocean, either face-on or sideways. They are of a perfectly decent size: from 434 sq ft (balcony included) for the smallest ones to 753 sq ft for the largest ones. The view from the large balcony is all the more enjoyable as the latter is furnished with painted wood garden furniture. The bedrooms spacious and are discretely refined. The cream painted walls match the light wooden furniture and the warm-coloured throws. A gorgeous combination of various shades of beige and burgundy. A large lounge area allows you to watch the satellite TV which broadcasts 24 channels. Other facilities have not been forgotten: air-conditioning, mini-bar and direct-dial international telephone are all installed. There are also tea and coffee-making facilities for preparing a hot drink at anytime. The bathroom also has many special touches: shower, bathtub and toilet separated by transparent screens, hair-dryer, bathrobes, make-up mirror and hospitality products. As in all hotels of this standard, room service is available 24 hours a day.
The Cliff Bay belongs to the "Porto Bay Hotels and Resorts" group. Built in 1994 and renovated in 2005, you can only see its 9 floors from the bay. Seen from the outside the building is not very attractive, but inside it is very tastefully decorated. Fresh flowers are arranged everywhere. At the rear, the building remains at a very reasonable height and has a particularly contemporary façade, made entirely of concrete and smoked glass, which contrasts with the refined interior. The all-marble lobby features a pedestal table topped with a huge bouquet of flowers. Several lounges are located beyond the reception, giving an impression of both space and privacy. You will also appreciate the picture windows overlooking the ocean, which allow a lot of natural light in. Outside, there is a very beautiful 6,458 sq ft swimming pool in addition to a semi-covered 2,153 sq ft swimming pool. You will have plenty of space to swim here whatever the season. The panoramic solarium terrace allows you to relax by the cliffs, facing the very beautiful Funchal Bay. Deckchairs, cushions, parasols and towels are sufficiently available. The very stylish beauty centre is also worthy of mention. In a bright setting with light wood and white walls, you can enjoy aromatherapy-based treatments, massages and many other beauty treatments.
The Rose Garden Restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, which are served in the form of a buffet. A considerable choice is on offer in the morning, with 5 types of cheese, 7 types of cooked meat, 14 types of bread, cakes, cereals, scrambled eggs, sausages and fruit. It is also possible to have breakfast on a beautiful flowery terrace overlooking the sea. In the evening, there is a buffet with a theme that varies daily. You can sample Portuguese, Oriental and Italian specialities along with seafood and grills, among other things. The setting, with its blue and white decor, offers an elegance that matches the rest of the hotel. The chairs are stylish and quilted. Tiles and murals adorn the walls. The buffets are raised up from the rest of the room. The navy blue carpet on the floor brightens up the whole setting. Flowers are arranged on each table. However, the place is rather noisy, but the service is pleasant and cheerful. The Il Gallo d'Oro à la carte restaurant also gives you the chance to eat Italian food and sample the excellent homemade pasta. Here, red and beige are the colours of choice. Weather permitting, you can also enjoy the terrace. For lunch you can order a salad, sandwich or hamburger served just next to your deckchair at the Blue Lagoon located on the terrace by the swimming pool. Dinners are sometimes improvised here in the summer. Allow around £31 for a full meal.
Set against the cliff to the western side of Funchal, the Cliff Bay offers a breathtaking view of the ocean. Like its neighbouring buildings the Reid's and the Crowne Plaza, it is one of the luxury hotels with private access to the sea. This is by a ladder attached to a concrete platform. A word of warning, though: swimming in the ocean is recommended only when the weather is calm, as the ocean quickly becomes rough when the wind blows. As for water sports, the Cliff Bay has a diving centre offering à la carte first dives and outings. Internet access is available free of charge, although there is only one computer at present. Those wishing to go to Funchal city centre can use the free shuttle service. It operates 6 times a day from 9:30am to 5:30pm. One of the strong points of this hotel is its spa, which has been very well designed both for men and women. The products used are E'SPA branded. Some treatments are especially designed for men: aromatherapy for faces irritated by shaving, comprehensive anti-stress massage or a total manicure with paraffin wax.
Internet access is free and various computers are available for surfing as much as you like.
The Cliff Bay attracts an international clientele. We found a majority of very smart English and German people here: shirts and jackets from breakfast time for the men, dresses and finery in the evening for the ladies. The age range is 35 to 65 years. You will find couples with children as well as grandparents here.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
tennis, gym, aerobics, golf, kayak, squash, water-polo, fitness, sports
Layla D.
De merveilleux souvenirs au Cliff Bay de Madère. un cadre splendide, une île à découvrir absolument! L'hôtel est parfait pour les amateurs de luxe et de détente ! Le personnel est très sympathique, l'hôtel dispose de plusieurs piscines dont une intérieure, l'équipement est très confortable. Bref, je conseille fortement pour y être allée avec mes parents trois fois en 10 ans.
- bien situé - cuisine excellente - luxueux
- pas de pension complète ou de all inclusive.
A simple, pleasant establishment, the Buganvilia is recommended for the complex that it forms with the Mimosa and the Estrelicia. A place offering a good variety of facilities at a very good price.
Located in the Funchal hotel area, the Girassol is suitable for families; it is near to the sea and also several shops. However, this location evidently means that there will be noise.
Families (with older children), groups of friends and couples will feel at home at the Palms. This moderately sized structure, ideally located by the sea, offers a nice relaxing setting as well as a diving centre for those who want to go on an underwater adventure.
A pleasant hotel providing a very beautiful setting in which to relax, the Quinta da Casa Branca is also a place to consider if you love good food. Give your taste buds a treat while you relax. This is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for peace and well-being. The hotel has a superb spa conducive to complete relaxation.
An internationally-renowned establishment, one of the "Leading Hotels of the World" and a member of the Orient-Express group, Reid's will attract a demanding clientele who expect a high level of service in a setting that exudes elegance, chic and tradition. Among all the whispering and murmuring, there is a certain rush to take your time to take your time... Between the sound of the waves, the clattering of porcelain and the sound of heels on the tiled floor, anything can happen in these bygone surroundings where, nevertheless, nothing is happening. Time, here, passes by somewhat hurriedly... The most recent work took place in 2006 and involved the swimming pool and the spa. The bedrooms, for their part, are also gradually being renovated.
The Gorgulho is an unpretentious, but very comfortable hotel. Its rather unwelcoming exterior is forgotten once you are through the main door. It is particularly suitable for families and a good starting point to discover the island.
The Pestana Miramar is a neighbour of the Pestana Village and shares the same facilities, but it offers different types of accommodation to meet the needs of everyone, from the most simple to the most sophisticated. Not far from the city centre, it is not by the sea but it has the asset of possessing a range of different restaurants. Its clientele is mainly European, with families making up the numbers in the summer months and couples being in majority in the winter.
With a privileged location on the seafront, the CS Madeira, ex-Crowne Plaza, will appeal to those who like the international atmosphere of large hotels. Varied restaurants, comfortable bedrooms, attentive service ... There is even a children's club to cater for families as much as possible. The hotel has been completely renovated and reopened its doors on 4th May 2007.
An internationally-renowned establishment, one of the "Leading Hotels of the World" and a member of the Orient-Express group, Reid's will attract a demanding clientele who expect a high level of service in a setting that exudes elegance, chic and tradition. Among all the whispering and murmuring, there is a certain rush to take your time to take your time... Between the sound of the waves, the clattering of porcelain and the sound of heels on the tiled floor, anything can happen in these bygone surroundings where, nevertheless, nothing is happening. Time, here, passes by somewhat hurriedly... The most recent work took place in 2006 and involved the swimming pool and the spa. The bedrooms, for their part, are also gradually being renovated.
The Melia Madeira Mare is certainly one of the best establishments in Madeira, but you would never have guessed it from its imposing exterior... Nevertheless, it boasts numerous details that make for a perfect place to spend your holiday. The hotel's concept was inspired by the five senses: smell, with the perfumed atmosphere, touch, with the soft and delicate fabrics, hearing, with the constant musical entertainment, sight, with the colour scheme used throughout the establishment, and taste, with the delicately prepared meals. The Melia Madeira Mare is a place you come to rest and enjoy high quality facilities, not forgetting the attentive service!
This hotel was fully renovated in 2008 and is particularly well suited to couples, thanks to its good service, peaceful setting, and comfortable spaces. It is designed in a classic style and the decor in the rooms and suites is charming. The communal areas are no letdown either, especially the reception.
Located above Funchal, the Choupana Hills is a hotel that gives you the impression of being away from it all. Those who like peace will appreciate its bungalow accommodation, gourmets will treat themselves at the restaurant and all those wishing to relax in a Zen atmosphere will undoubtedly try the treatment centre. An exceptional place to stay!
This hotel located on the Funchal heights is the perfect place to stay if you are looking to relax in a luxury setting. The few rooms make it a quiet place with as much comfort as a palace.
A pleasant hotel providing a very beautiful setting in which to relax, the Quinta da Casa Branca is also a place to consider if you love good food. Give your taste buds a treat while you relax. This is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for peace and well-being. The hotel has a superb spa conducive to complete relaxation.
Charm and elegance are the key words to sum up Jardins Do Lago. That would explain why half the guests come back regularly. Located high up in the city of Funchal, this ancient quinta (villa), which dates from 1750, has become a magnificent hotel which looks a little like a luxury cottage, surrounded by a breathtaking 6.4 acre garden. The garden has no less than 500 plant varieties. Jardins do Lago, a very beautiful hotel to be recommended to whoever enjoys peace and quiet and wishes to relax.
A hotel of very good standing, the Madeira Palacio offers a particularly suitable setting for a relaxing vacation with a view of the ocean. This address is recommended especially for couples. You can enjoy a nice spa with a comforable leisure area.