Think of the most luxurious hotel you have ever stayed in, with attention to detail, outstanding facilities, and excellent service running through its veins. This may be an impossible task as there are very few hotels ticking every box. However…
That is about to change as we introduce you to Savoy Palace, a superior 5-star hotel located in Funchal, on the beautiful island of Madeira, which we recently visited. Part of the renowned Savoy Signature group, luxury is an expectation, however this was a wonderful hotel that not only exceeded expectations, but elevated them to new and dizzy heights!
From the private limousine collection at the airport, to genuine friendliness and care from each member of the team, we quickly realised what a wonderfully unique experience was ahead of us.
The lush landscaped gardens, the ocean views, stunning bedrooms and suites, glamourous décor, and award-winning food – there is so much to tell you.
So, let’s get into it…
An arrival with a sense of occasion:
We often see celebrities and VIP’s collected from the airport by private limousine, with a driver holding up a large card with their name clearly written on it. That was our first introduction to the Savoy Palace experience waiting for us, we soon realised that here, every guest is a VIP.
Cases were swooped away and carefully deposited into the boot of the car, doors were opened for us, and welcome bottles of water were by our seats.
Thirty minutes later, after a smooth and very comfortable journey, we arrived at our destination. Once again, car doors were opened for us, and our cases were unloaded and placed at reception as our driver announced our arrival.
Check in was swift and professional, yet welcoming and friendly, and we were in our room within minutes. This is the Savoy Palace arrival!
A room with a view:
We stayed in an Ocean Suite. A magnificent and very large room with a super king-sized bed, possibly the comfiest bed we have ever slept in.
There was a walk-in wardrobe, a lounge and dining area, a huge walk in shower, twin vanity units and beautiful luxurious Bulgari toiletries(!), a 55” Flat Screen TV and a large balcony with views across the whole resort and out to sea. We spent every spare moment on that balcony just to admire and take in the view. From sunrise to sunset, it was pure perfection.
Something that is very important to us on any trip is space available so that we can continue to work throughout all trips, and in our Ocean Suite, there was a large desk that was the perfect place for our laptop, and with super quick WIFI throughout the hotel, we were able to do everything we needed to with ease.
This sanctuary of luxury and comfort even has a pillow menu to make sure you have the best night’s rest possible.
What more could you ask for?
Where we ate:
From the elegance of fine dining to the authenticity of local flavours, each restaurant invites you to a distinctive culinary experience – where detail, creativity and the joy of taste take centre stage.
With six superb dining options, there is something to suite every palate, any time of day.
A Mediterranean haven by the pool, with a menu which celebrates Mediterranean flavours in a relaxed, sunlit setting. We enjoyed two delicious lunches here during our stay.
Daily specials and oven-baked dishes including artisan pizzas, fabulous fresh seafood and a great selection of sandwiches and lighter dishes.
Of course, we had to order a pizza, plus a delicious house octopus dish, (both came highly recommended by our host and they didn’t disappoint!), local bread, olives and dips, all savoured with a lovely glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc in the warm spring sunshine.
Alameda is the perfect retreat for those who appreciate taste, lightness and positive energy, which is served in abundance by the attentive team.
Pasta, risotto, wine and buon appetito!
The Orchidaceae Atelier transforms into a vibrant pop up restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine, from a menu crafted with passion and love.
The service here is warm and caring with a splash of showmanship! Such a good atmosphere, and the dishes we chose of Focaccia, house bread, grissini, virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Carpaccio, Linguini with European Lobster and Prawn Sauce, and Cannelloni were simply delicious.
This was to be the piece de resistance of our dining experiences at the Savoy Palace. The most exclusive panoramic rooftop bar in Funchal, with a fine dining restaurant where we had front row seats to a magnificent sunset, whilst dining on an exquisite 7-course tasting menu, accompanied by an exceptional wine pairing.
From an open kitchen, Executive Chef Roberto Barros and his team create Michelin culinary magic. Every dish is served with a story, created with seasonal ingredients and Madeiran flavours, and expertly paired with beautiful wines.
The difference here is in the details.
The setting is magnificent and a real wow factor, but as you let the evening unfold, the memories you take away are from the warmth and passion experienced from every member of the team. The stories, the way each dish was presented with just the right amount of theatre, the unbelievable flavours and the exceptional passion throughout.
Every element is faultless. Each detail a little bit of Savoy magic.
The menu:
A Selection of Artisanal Bread I Butters I Extra Virgin Olive Oil I Fleur de Sel
To Start
Bread with Chorizo I Algarve Prawn I Citrus
Malassada I Limpets I Black Scabbard Fish Roe I Silver
Bolo do Caco Bread I Skipjack Tuna I Escabeche
Starter
Scallop I Local Tuna Jerky I Truffle I Wasabi I Praline I Fermented Apple
Fish
Local Fish I Squid I Migas Crumbs I Acorn Cured Meats I Coriander
Meat
Wagyu I Fried Cornmeal I Truffle I Fermented Garlic Butter I Bay Leaf
Dessert
Poncha I Passionfruit I Honey I Peanut
Coffee and Petit Fours
Every dish was pure perfection and a dining experience that will be hard to equal, let alone better!
Othe Restaurants:
Discover and savour a cuisine where flame and fire are the main ingredients.
At Pau de Lume, some of the meats are aged by them, and their cheeses are also refined in-house. Everything cooked here is authentic and made over fire.
Signature dishes are crafted over a live fire in the Josper oven, bringing out bold aromas and deep, genuine flavours through live-fire gastronomy. Perfect for sharing, savouring, and remembering.
With a menu inspired by authentic Portuguese roots and designed for every time of day
In this spacious area, breakfast is served with a fine selection of fresh products every morning.
In this family-style restaurant with a contemporary twist, there’s reinvented Portuguese cuisine, crafted with fresh ingredients from the Chef’s garden and techniques that honour seasonality and tradition. Dishes are made to share.
Laurea Spa
This is a beautiful space with many fabulous facilities, an oasis of calm where you can go to recharge your batteries with one of the many soothing treatments on offer.
We each had wonderful full 60-miute body massages, where knots were worked out, tired and aching muscles were regenerated and we left feeling brand new!
Laurea Spa also have Detox Days, Yoga and Pilates classes, along with the following impressive facilities:
– 3100m2
– 13 Treatment rooms
– Sauna
– Jacuzzi
– Steam room
– Ice fountain
– Sensorial Showers
– Heated indoor pool
– Halotherapy room
– Relaxation room
– Fitness Center
– Champagne & Nails bar
– Beauty salon
And finally…Welcome to The Reserve
For the ultimate, private luxury retreat, step into The Reserve. A stunning boutique hotel within a hotel.
With breathtaking panoramic views, The Reserve discreetly welcomes you with rooms and suites of unparalleled excellence. Their high-quality and personalised service grants you access to exclusively crafted experiences.
Your experience at The Reserve is a testament to undivided care and anticipation of your every need, embodied by the 24/7 assistance of a dedicated Guest Experience Personal Assistant.
This immersive luxury hideaway, with unique views of stunning natural scenery, is where your stay is tailored to your desires!
A word from the Hotel Manager, José Pereira : “At Savoy Palace, we open your horizons to days of absolute luxury and pleasure, where all experiences are personalized down to the smallest detail. The most natural thing is to let yourself be dazzled by the landscapes, full of diversity, and by the historical legacy that we so proudly insisted on portraying. Come and taste the best of gastronomy and, of course, toast to the achievement of the most beautiful of dreams.”
Savoy Palace is where your dreams become reality…
Review and images by Angela Riches and Dave Riches
Some images supplied
