“On the Canico de Baixo cliffs with direct sea access and a dive centre attached. The south-east coast gets the island's most reliable sunshine, which makes this a good bet in shoulder season. Handy for the airport, Cristo Rei at sunrise and the Reis Magos beach below.”

“A large all-inclusive on the Caniço de Baixo cliffs, renovated in 2022, and the pick if you'd rather not think about meals at all. 327 rooms, two ocean-view pools plus indoor and children's pools, a buffet with live cooking stations and an à la carte restaurant. Reliable sunshine on this coast, twenty minutes to Funchal and the airport. Note the shore below is volcanic rock, not sand.”

“A botanical garden estate above Canico on the sunny south-east, with a spa and grounds you can genuinely wander. Twenty minutes from Funchal and close to the airport, so it works well for a first or last night. Quieter and greener than staying in the city, without giving up easy access to it.”

“Luxury / all-inclusive. Large oceanfront resort on Madeira’s eastern tip with 366 rooms, multiple pools, seven restaurants and a full-service spa. A strong option for travelers who want a resort-style stay with lots of amenities, and especially convenient for exploring Ponta de São Lourenço and the east side of the island.”

“Large hotel above Machico with sea views and pools, a short walk from the imported-sand beach. Fifteen minutes from the airport, which makes it the easiest arrival-night option on the island if you land late and don't want to drive mountain roads in the dark.”