Madeira, PortugalFunchal
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Storied clifftop palace
Funchal Madeira, Portugal
Renovated
2006
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Classic Luxe HeritageOutside the door
The house
BelmondStoried clifftop palace
Coral walls rise above Atlantic cliffs and subtropical gardens, where ocean breezes sweep across checkered verandas to the sound of evening piano.
“More charmingly comfortable than state-of-the-art, rooms are decked out in soft creams, clean whites, and powder blues.”
What it’s good at
Exceptional
Daily British afternoon tea on the checkered terrace and weekly Edwardian dinner dances.
Remarkable
Dedicated poolside attendants, complimentary sunglasses cleaning, and butler-driven sunrise champagne excursions.
Remarkable
A listed 1891 cliffside palace where Winston Churchill painted and wrote his memoirs.
What they say
Two Michelin Keys
Michelin
Forbes Recommended
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
UK Readers' Choice Awards – Portugal
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
this grand old palace on the terraced hillside above the Bay of Funchal has come through with flying colors.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Perched above the cliffs of São Martinho, the estate overlooks Funchal Bay, located a short drive from the historic Old Town harbour.
The rooms
Pastel tones and Madeira embroidery appoint each bedroom, opening onto a private balcony or terrace facing the ocean or gardens.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Two heated pools sit along the upper cliff terrace, and a tidal saltwater pool is carved into the rocks below.
The spa and gym
Oceanfront spa suites open onto private sea-view terraces, and an open-air timber pergola houses gym equipment above the water.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
Michelin-starred William overlooks Funchal Bay, and cocktails at Bar 1891 draw on Madeira rum and estate herbs.
Accommodation ooze old-world charm with floral-printed walls, wing-backed armchairs and classic wooden furniture… feel wonderfully cozy rather than stuffy.
How it began
Conceived by Scottish merchant William Reid in 1887, the clifftop estate was completed and opened by his sons in November 1891.
Good to know
Stay here
Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
Or book with
Booking.com ExpediaWe may earn a commission when you book through Booking.com or Expedia. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Madeira
More like this
Savoy Palace
“Belle Époque oceanfront spectacle”
The Reserve
“Oceanfront rooftop enclave”
Les Suites at The Cliff Bay
“Secluded clifftop quarters”
Quinta da Casa Branca
“Subtropical modernist estate”
Quinta Jardins do Lago
“Botanical manor estate”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.