It’s not often a hotel makes you feel both completely spoiled and completely at home but that’s exactly what Savoy Palace did for me! Perched on the edge of Funchal’s glittering coastline, Savoy Palace is more than just a hotel—it’s an experience in refined luxury (and you all know how I crave luxury).
The palace forms part of the renowned Savoy Signature group who boast a total of seven hotels, each with their own identity and bringing something different to the table.
I had the pleasure of staying at Savoy Palace which has been welcoming guests from every corner of the globe for six years now. Arriving in style, the hotel sent a driver to collect me from the airport and the rest is history! From the moment I stepped out of the car, I was treated with all the glamour of a Hollywood film star but before I start to gloat, here are some facts about the property and some of its fabulous amenities:
- Savoy Palace formally opened in 2019 after the old Savoy hotel was demolished. To ensure that the new hotel stayed true to its roots, native Nini Andrade Silva was part of the architecture and design team.
- With 17 floors and 309 rooms and suites (most offering sea views), Savoy Palace is a beacon of hospitality in Maderia.
- Foodies are in their element with eight restaurants and bars on site to choose from.
- There are five swimming pools, including an infinity rooftop pool (which is also an adults only zone).
- Laurea Spa pays homage to the Laurissilva Forest and spans an impressive 3100sq.m including 11 treatment rooms.
- Each floor has extensive gardens boasting over 1000 botanical species (the lift journey is very special as you can see each level through the glass and appreciate the greenery from the best angles going both up and down).
- The conference area can easily accommodate up to 1400 people for events.
- Savoy Palace’s gardens cover an astounding 24,700sq.m featuring plants and trees local to the island and beyond (during a tour, I found out there is such a thing as red bananas!).
These are just some of the perks which make the hotel stand out and with endless nods to Madeiran influences throughout, it sets the tone for an unforgettable and cultural stay.
The rooms themselves are sanctuaries of comfort. Spacious and airy, with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies featuring stunning views of the Atlantic. Plus you can expect plush bedding, thoughtful amenities including fresh fruit, fluffy robes, homemade biscuits and branded water bottles, all to ensure that your room is fully equipped and serene. I will also take a moment to mention the pillow menu. I couldn’t help but order some scented memory foam pillows which were delivered within 20 mins of a phone call to concierge before bedtime.
Service is nothing short of impeccable with a dedicated concierge at hand for all your needs. Every single day upon entering for breakfast or dinner at one of the many restaurants, the staff had learnt my name and remembered preferences with a smile.
With eight places to drink and dine, the hotel’s restaurants showcase the best of Madeiran and international cuisine. A selection of the vegetables, herbs and fruit are lovingly grown on the grounds or sourced locally – including the wine selection. During your stay, you can venture around the gardens to explore at your own pace and then rest your feet with a fancy cocktail made with ingredients from the same garden.
I had the pleasure of a botanical garden tour and trying a fresh mango which had fallen straight from the tree that day. It was the best mango I have EVER tasted! I don’t think I will ever be able to match that flavour or sweet juiciness. I ended up with juice all over my linen shirt with the first bite and walked around the rest of the day with a reminder of just how good it was.
The magic doesn’t end with the mango though. Evenings here are for culinary discovery. Dining at Galáxia Skyfood on the rooftop was one my foodie highlights on this trip. I got a front row seat to the sunset across the vast mountain scenery and a special five-course tasting menu. Every single dish was a treat for the senses and executed to perfection. The chef cleverly adapts traditional delicacies and serves them in fine dining style. Every element was explained as it was presented at the table and the sommelier paired each course with an incredible wine. Here I tried Limpets and Skipjack for the first time. Both are popular fish delicacies on the island and a regular menu item for restaurants by the sea on the island and throughout Portugal.
I made sure to frequent as many of the other restaurants as I could during my stay. At Terreiro, I tasted Madeira in its truest form: vibrant, fresh and rooted in local traditions, I ordered the fish of the day which was fresh Red Snapper and savoured this whilst dining under palm trees adorned with fairy lights. At Alameda, which has Mediterranean vibes, I went for a classic Cesar Salad with grilled prawns, it also has it’s very own ice cream parlour perfectly positioned by the main pool (which is the hub of the hotel during the day).
Situated amongst the greenery and umbrellas on the 2nd floor, I dined alfresco at Pau de Lume which is the hotel’s grill and fire-based cuisine restaurant. I’m a seafood fan so opted for the highly recommended Portuguese-style rice and seafood stew with lobster and shrimp for lunch here. It’s served piping hot at your table and I am glad I skipped having a starter as the portion was huge. Chef did not skimp on any lobster you will be pleased to know!
In between meals, I drifted between the infinity pool and the Laurea Spa. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself and take a moment to appreciate that I get to call this work! All the wellness facilities elevate any stay here even further. The spa area is such a soothing space. I already felt zen after being here a few days but I felt like an entirely new woman after my session with the talented masseuse, who worked out all my kinks and knots during a 60-minute full body massage.
Each day, guests can choose between extras of Pilates or Yoga sessions at the property as well as live entertainment in the evenings before or after dinner. This is all conveniently listed in an itinerary for the day on your room TV. You can also access the room service list here along with a variety of channels if you want to catch the news or a movie during your stay.
If you can tear yourself away from the hotel, the team are on hand to help organise excursions to suit your mood and budget. Being on an island with such a beautiful mountain backdrop, it was only right we set off for breakfast high up above the clouds to watch the sunrise. Despite the very early wake up call, I was happy to be whisked up the mountains for an unforgettable breakfast for one.
Snaking up the mountain roads in total darkness (we drove for about 45 mins max), we arrived to still see the stars in the sky with a small orange line surfacing from beyond the clouds. Ensuring I kept warm, I was given a blanket and served hot tea and within moments, the stars made way for the sunrise and blue sky, which I got to admire whilst nibbling on a very generous continental breakfast with all my favourite pastries, fruits, hams and cheeses. I didn’t take too many pictures as I had to give this view the respect it deserved and just sit in awe. It was the bucket list moment I didn’t even know I needed and I will treasure this experience forever.
After four days of ‘living my best life’, what stood out most wasn’t just the beauty of the place but the way everything was delivered with warmth and grace. By the end of my stay, I felt less like a guest and more like someone who had been truly welcomed. With weather in Maderia good all year round, the appeal to visit doesn’t just have to be for a European summer. Savoy Palace caters for couples, solo trips and families with ease, and most guests stay more than once but every time still feels like the first. Next time I visit, I hope to be picked up in the hotels very own Rolls Royce Phantom (yes they have a white Rolls Royce with their very own personalised Savoy Signature plate!).
Review and Images by Zoe Laing @_zozogram_
Feature image supplied
