Best for
Reid's Palace suits a Madeira trip that pairs Funchal outings with unhurried hotel days, thanks to its gardens and pools.
Best for
Reid's Palace suits a Madeira trip that pairs Funchal outings with unhurried hotel days, thanks to its gardens and pools.
What makes it special
Opened by the Reid family in 1891, the hotel gives your Madeira stay a direct connection to Funchal's grand-hotel history.
Room to consider
Compare sea and garden outlooks alongside balcony or patio arrangements before booking, so your room fits how you'll spend downtime.
Insider tip
Ask about the garden tour when arranging your stay, giving the hotel's subtropical planting a place in your Madeira itinerary.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
The Classic Room is set above Funchal Bay. In the pictured design, pale walls have a white horizontal moulding, with two framed pictures above the curved headboard. Blue floral cushions sit against the white bedding, and wall-mounted reading lamps have cream shades. Pale carpet runs beneath the furniture.
Across from the bed, a dark writing desk holds a freestanding framed mirror. A pale upholstered, straight-backed chair sits at the desk, with a low cabinet beside it. A blue armchair with a cane-inset back stands by the full-height glazed door, next to a small side table with a round white top.
Curtains frame the glazed opening. Outside, a metal railing borders the balcony, which has a table and chairs. The bathroom is finished in marble, and fresh-cut flowers are provided in the room.
The Classic Room is set above Funchal Bay. In the pictured design, pale walls have a white horizontal moulding, with two framed pictures above the...
The rooms occupy the Main Building and the Garden Wing. A blue-accented interior pairs a broad headboard with botanical cushions and a blue armchair. A small table stands beside the seating, with a writing desk and chair against the wall. Patterned pale carpet runs beneath the furniture.
Full-height curtains have floral edging, picked up in the pelmet above the glazed doors. A mirror hangs above the desk, and a low cupboard occupies the adjoining wall. Another angle shows a tall panelled wardrobe beside the bed and two framed floral pictures above the headboard.
The marble bathroom has a shower above the bathtub. Extra beds are available on request, while the category also includes some accessible rooms.
The rooms occupy the Main Building and the Garden Wing. A blue-accented interior pairs a broad headboard with botanical cushions and a blue armchair. A...
Some rooms have a separate walk-in shower; other bathrooms have a shower above the bathtub.
These rooms are in the Main Building or the Garden Wing. Floral and more restrained schemes appear across the category. In the floral design, a curved upholstered headboard matches the full-height curtains. Two pale-blue armchairs stand beside a small table, and a writing desk sits near the glazed doors.
Mirrored wardrobe doors line one side of the sleeping area. Above them, a shallow elongated niche displays pale urn-shaped objects. A different design uses a dark headboard and framed botanical pictures, with a chandelier above the bed. Its long desk runs toward the balcony opening.
The marble bathroom includes a pale counter with a curved front, a basin and a mirror. Darker veined panels finish the lower walls, and a towel rail stands beside the counter.
These rooms are in the Main Building or the Garden Wing. Floral and more restrained schemes appear across the category. In the floral design, a...
Rollaway beds are not available in Family Rooms.
A broad rounded arch opens from the bedroom into a window-side sitting recess. This open arrangement is in the Garden Wing. In one floral scheme, a curved upholstered headboard is paired with matching curtains, a pale wingchair and a glass-topped rectangular low table. A writing surface stands against the wall.
Another room scheme combines a green wingchair with a patterned upholstered seat. Floral curtains and matching pelmets frame the glazing around the sitting recess.
Outside, cushioned chairs with woven frames stand around a square glass-topped table. A hedge and planted pots border the paved space. The marble bathroom has a shower above the bathtub, with a pale basin counter, a rectangular mirror and vertical light fittings. A dark-framed doorway is visible beside the vanity.
A broad rounded arch opens from the bedroom into a window-side sitting recess. This open arrangement is in the Garden Wing. In one floral scheme,...
Connections are available on request. These suites can link to another Deluxe Junior Suite or to the Presidential Suite.
The bedroom and sitting area share one open space. In one aqua-and-green floral scheme, the curved headboard has a woven inset beneath a white fabric canopy. A patterned blue wingchair stands to one side. Pale-blue upholstered seating sits opposite. Tall mirrored lamp bases and full-height curtains surround the glazed doors.
Another scheme uses gold stripes, with a dark writing or dressing desk beneath a mirror and framed pictures. A green seat stands nearby. A mirror-fronted furniture unit stands at the foot of the bed. Another view of this design shows a cupboard and a second wall table.
The marble bathroom has a bathtub, a separate walk-in shower and double basins. One pictured layout has blue-and-white patterned tiles, a dark bath front and a glazed shower enclosure. Some suites have a walk-in wardrobe. Bidets and separate toilets feature in selected layouts.
The bedroom and sitting area share one open space. In one aqua-and-green floral scheme, the curved headboard has a woven inset beneath a white fabric...
Broad double doors stand between the bedroom and the sitting and writing areas. In one design, a desk sits beneath a tall glass-fronted upper cabinet. Looped bars cross the cabinet glass. A relief panel sits above the doorway beside it. Pale-blue furnishings run through the suite.
In the lounge, a sofa and wingchair sit around a dark low table. An ornate pale-framed mirror hangs among the pictures and wall lights. A broad pendant hangs from the ceiling. Layers of full-height curtains frame the bedroom's tall glazed doors, which open toward the balcony railing.
The marble bathroom pairs a bathtub with a separate walk-in shower. One pictured design pairs blue-and-white tile panels with a dark bath front and pale geometric flooring. Some suites have a walk-in wardrobe; double basins and a bidet feature in selected layouts.
Broad double doors stand between the bedroom and the sitting and writing areas. In one design, a desk sits beneath a tall glass-fronted upper cabinet....
Butler service is available for an additional charge.
Double doors separate the bedroom from the sitting room, where pale yellow walls are paired with floral upholstery and botanical pictures. A rectangular table stands near the tall glazed openings, and a pale wingchair sits alongside a small table. Another bedroom arrangement includes a dark writing or dressing desk with a mirror.
On the covered balcony, checker-pattern paving runs between louvred shutters and a metal balustrade. A woven chair and round glass-topped table stand beside planted pots. The outlook takes in the sea, sometimes together with the gardens.
The marble bathroom has a bathtub and a separate walk-in shower. Two basin counters face one another, with mirrors above; the bath sits below the far window. A dark geometric border outlines the bathroom floor. Some suites also have a walk-in wardrobe.
Double doors separate the bedroom from the sitting room, where pale yellow walls are paired with floral upholstery and botanical pictures. A rectangular table stands...
A link to a Deluxe Junior Suite can be requested. The extra suite is booked separately.
Bernard Shaw once stayed in this suite on the seventh floor of the Main Building. The bedroom is separate from an oversized sitting room. Hardwood flooring runs beneath the furnishings, while hand-painted wallpaper depicts branches and birds. Full-height silk curtains frame the glazed doors.
The lounge has a pale curved sofa, a cane-backed settee and a dark low table. A small folding-leaf side table stands nearby, together with a writing desk. An oval mirror hangs above a decorative white mantle. Outside, the covered veranda has an arched opening, checker-pattern paving, woven chairs and a round glass-topped table beside planted pots.
Blue-and-white patterned borders decorate the marble bathroom. A wood-fronted bathtub is accompanied by a separate glazed walk-in shower, double basins and a bidet. There is also a guest bathroom. The suite faces the sea from its large outdoor sitting area.
Bernard Shaw once stayed in this suite on the seventh floor of the Main Building. The bedroom is separate from an oversized sitting room. Hardwood...
You can request a connecting Deluxe Junior Suite. It is separate from the Presidential Suite booking.
High ceilings and a separate oversized sitting room distinguish this suite on the sixth floor of the Main Building. A furnished veranda and two balconies extend beyond the interior. The bedroom has pale green walls, a writing desk with a framed mirror and a small square table beside a tufted chair.
In the lounge, hand-painted branch-and-bird wallpaper surrounds a pale sofa and armchair. A glass-topped low table has turned legs, while a cabinet stands against the wall. Two tall glazed openings are framed by full-height silk curtains. A round ceiling light hangs above the sitting area.
The marble bathroom places the bathtub beneath a window, between two separate basin counters and mirrors. Blue-and-white ornamental tiles border the walls, and a separate walk-in shower and bidet complete the fittings. The suite also has a guest bathroom.
High ceilings and a separate oversized sitting room distinguish this suite on the sixth floor of the Main Building. A furnished veranda and two balconies...
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira is the island's classic grand hotel. It stands on a clifftop west of Funchal Bay, above the Atlantic Ocean, with subtropical gardens, sea-view terraces, pools, spa, restaurants, and a level of ceremony that has shaped Madeira hospitality for more than a century. It is famous, but the best reason to stay is practical: Reid's Palace gives guests a resort-like base close to Funchal.
The hotel opened in 1891 and has welcomed well-known guests, including Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. That history is part of the appeal, but the property should not be reduced to nostalgia. It still works because of its location, gardens, sea access, dining, spa, and views.
The full public name is Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira. It keeps the famous hotel name clear while placing the property on Madeira, where its Atlantic views, gardens, and Funchal setting define the stay.
The location is one of the hotel's greatest strengths. Reid's Palace sits above the Atlantic, close enough to Funchal for restaurants, museums, markets, the marina, and city walks. At the same time, the cliffside gardens keep the hotel calm and open.
Madeira is an island of steep roads, sea cliffs, gardens, levada walks, viewpoints, and changing weather. A hotel with strong facilities matters because not every day should be spent driving. Reid's Palace gives guests enough to do on property when the plan is to rest.
Funchal Airport is the main arrival point. Transfers are straightforward by Madeira standards, but guests should still allow time for traffic and winding roads. Once at the hotel, many Funchal plans are easy by taxi or private driver.
The best stay uses the hotel as both a base and a retreat. Explore the island by day. Return for the pool, gardens, spa, dinner, or a drink above the Atlantic. That balance is where Reid's Palace still feels relevant.
Reid's Palace has rooms and suites across the main building and wings, with categories that vary by size, view, balcony, terrace, and layout. Current public sources differ on exact room counts, so the safer point is the range: classic rooms, superior and deluxe rooms, family options, suites, and signature suites with stronger views or more privacy.
The best categories are those that make the Atlantic part of the stay. Sea-view rooms, balcony rooms, deluxe suites, and signature suites are especially valuable because the hotel is so connected to its clifftop position. Garden-view rooms can still be peaceful, but ocean-facing space is the emotional core of the property.
Suites work well for longer stays, families, and guests who want more room to settle. The Churchill Suite remains one of the hotel's most recognizable accommodation stories. Other larger suites add residential comfort, sitting areas, terraces, and views across the gardens or sea.
Guests should choose by view and outdoor space rather than only by size. Madeira's climate rewards balconies, terraces, and slow mornings. At Reid's Palace, the view is not decoration. It is part of the stay.
Dining is a major part of Reid's Palace. William Restaurant is the Michelin-starred fine-dining address, with modern cooking and Atlantic views. It gives the hotel a serious culinary anchor and suits guests who want a special evening without leaving the property.
Ristorante Villa Cipriani adds the Italian side of the hotel, with open-air terrace dining and sea views. It is more relaxed than William, but still polished. This is useful because a Madeira stay needs more than one dining mood.
The Pool Restaurant gives guests a casual daytime option near the water, while 1891 Bar Reid's Palace and the Tea Library bring the classic hotel mood. Afternoon tea remains one of the property's strongest rituals. It is not only for tradition. It gives guests a gentle, scenic way to spend part of the day.
The best dining plan mixes hotel and island. Use William for a fine-dining evening, Villa Cipriani for terrace comfort, afternoon tea for heritage, and Funchal restaurants on another night. Madeira has strong local food, and Reid's Palace should be part of that wider plan.
The spa is set in the gardens and is known for sea-view treatment rooms and terraces. Current travel sources describe indoor and outdoor therapy spaces, a couples suite, private terrace elements, and treatments shaped around rest and the Atlantic setting. Guests should confirm specific spa facilities before arrival if a feature matters.
The pools are another core advantage. Reid's Palace is often described with multiple swimming pools, including heated outdoor options. The pool areas let guests enjoy Madeira without needing to drive to a beach or lido every day.
Sea access is also important. The hotel sits above the ocean and offers a more direct relationship with the water than many city hotels in Funchal. Depending on season and conditions, guests can use platforms or water access connected to the property.
Wellness here is built from sea air, gardens, swimming, spa time, tennis, and slow meals. It is not a hard-programmed retreat. It is a classic Madeira rhythm, with the hotel acting as a polished anchor.
The gardens are central to the identity of Reid's Palace. Public sources often describe about ten acres of subtropical grounds, with palms, flowers, terraces, and paths above the sea. Madeira is called the Garden Island for a reason, and the hotel reflects that landscape.
The history matters too. Reid's Palace has seen royal guests, writers, politicians, and long-stay travellers. Yet its value today is not only old guest lists. The hotel gives modern travellers a strong way to experience Madeira with comfort, service, food, pool life, and island access.
Madeira itineraries should include more than Funchal. Guests can visit Cabo Girao, Monte, botanical gardens, levada walks, Camara de Lobos, the north coast, Pico do Arieiro, and coastal viewpoints. Weather can change plans quickly, so flexibility is useful.
The best approach is not to overfill the days. Choose one major outing, return for the hotel, and leave time for the gardens and sea. Reid's Palace is strongest when the property itself becomes part of the Madeira experience.
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira is a strong choice for travellers looking for a luxury Madeira hotel with Atlantic views, clifftop gardens, rooms and suites with balconies or terraces, William Restaurant, Villa Cipriani, afternoon tea, spa, pools, sea access, tennis, and easy access to Funchal. It suits couples, families, Madeira first-timers, returning island guests, food lovers, and travellers who want a classic resort-style base close to the city.
It is less ideal for travellers who want a minimalist new-build hotel, a nightlife location, or direct sandy beach resort style. Reid's Palace is a grand clifftop hotel with tradition, gardens, and sea views. That is its strength.
Book Reid's Palace when the goal is to combine Madeira exploration with a polished Atlantic retreat. The best stays use William, Villa Cipriani, afternoon tea, the spa, pools, gardens, sea access, Funchal evenings, and island drives together. For a luxury hotel in Madeira with real landmark status and practical resort depth, Reid's Palace remains the defining address.
Afternoon tea pairs delicate treats and a selection of teas with an ocean outlook, giving your hotel afternoon a traditional rhythm.
William Restaurant combines Madeira produce with panoramic coastline views, making an evening meal another way to experience the island from Reid's.
Maré Spa places treatment time within the hotel's Atlantic setting, so you can include a spa appointment without leaving Reid's Palace.
Estrada Monumental 139, São Martinho, 9000-098 Funchal, Portugal
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Reid's Palace is best for travelers who want Madeira's classic grand hotel experience, with Atlantic views, tropical gardens, strong dining, pools, spa, and Belmond service. It suits couples, families, food lovers, repeat Madeira guests, and travelers who prefer heritage over a modern resort.
Reid's Palace is on Estrada Monumental 139 in Funchal, Madeira. The clifftop setting overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and keeps guests close to Funchal's old town, harbor, gardens, restaurants, levada walks, and island excursions.
Reid's Palace is widely described as having 126 rooms and suites. Many categories include a balcony or terrace, and the best choices focus on sea views, garden outlooks, extra space, or the hotel's historic main-building charm.
Reid's Palace stands out for its 1891 heritage, pink clifftop buildings, Atlantic views, tropical gardens, famous afternoon tea, and long role in Madeira travel. It feels polished, traditional, and relaxed at the same time.
Reid's Palace is usually under 30 minutes by car from Cristiano Ronaldo Madeira International Airport, depending on traffic. It is practical for a full Madeira stay, a long weekend, or a refined final night before flying home.
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