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
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