“The modern counterweight to Reid's. An Art Deco tower right above the city centre with a rooftop infinity pool, a serious spa, several restaurants and a beach club. Book a high floor and an ocean-facing room. Best pick if you want a big, polished five-star and the ability to walk into town for dinner rather than taxi in.”

“A small four-star in the city centre near Santa Catarina Park, and proof you don't need to spend big to stay somewhere lovely. Only 40 rooms, so it feels personal, and the rooftop gives you a 360-degree sweep across city, mountains and Atlantic. Ten minutes on foot to the marina and the old town. Newly opened, so book early while it's still quiet.”

“Big oceanfront resort with direct sea access, several pools and a spa, at noticeably less than the Savoy or Reid's. The trade-off is scale rather than intimacy. Good choice for a longer stay, for travellers who want everything on site, and for anyone who'd rather spend their budget on hikes and boat trips than on the room.”

“The island's grande dame, open since 1891 and still the address everyone knows. Clifftop gardens above Funchal, pools stepping down toward the sea, and Edwardian rooms that feel genuinely historic rather than themed. Worth it for one night even if you stay elsewhere. The afternoon tea is bookable without being a guest, and it books out well ahead.”

“Old Town boutique built into a cluster of historic buildings, with a rooftop pool looking over the rooftops to the sea. The location is the point: you're a short walk from Mercado dos Lavradores, the painted doors on Rua de Santa Maria, and the best dinner options in the city. Character rather than resort facilities.”