Honestly, if you’ve been looking at photos of the Savoy Hotel Funchal Madeira, you probably think you’re looking at a sleek, futuristic cruise ship that somehow ran aground on a Portuguese cliffside. It's massive. It’s bold.
But here’s the thing: most people see the "Savoy Palace" (its official name since the 2019 rebirth) and assume it’s just another oversized luxury resort. They’re wrong.
Why Savoy Hotel Funchal Madeira is more than just a big building
The original Savoy opened way back in 1912. It was the place where British aristocrats and European royalty went to hide from the winter. It had that dusty, grand, Belle Époque vibe that feels romantic in movies but, by the 2000s, was literally falling apart. In 2008, they tore the whole thing down.
Then the recession hit. The site sat as a giant hole in the ground for years. People in Funchal started to wonder if the "Palace" would ever actually happen.
Fast forward to 2019, and the new Savoy Palace opened its doors as a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. It didn't just replace the old hotel; it completely shifted the gravity of Funchal.
The Nini Andrade Silva factor
You can't talk about this place without mentioning Nini Andrade Silva. She’s a local legend in Madeira. An interior designer who treats hotels like massive art installations. Instead of standard corporate "luxury," she filled the Savoy Palace with things that actually mean something to the island.
💡 You might also like: Garden City Weather SC: What Locals Know That Tourists Usually Miss
- The lobby features a 33-foot-tall chandelier made from miles of matte metal chain.
- The curves of the building mimic the waves of the Atlantic.
- You’ll see patterns in the carpets and screens that look like Madeira embroidery or traditional wickerwork.
- The spa is designed to feel like the Laurisilva forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It's sorta like staying inside a very expensive, very comfortable poem about Madeira’s history.
The "Hotel within a Hotel" secret
Most visitors don't realize there’s actually a tiered system here. You have the main Savoy Palace, which is already 5-star and incredible. But then there’s The Reserve.
This is an exclusive 40-room sanctuary tucked away on the upper floors. If you stay there, you get a "GEPA"—a Guest Experience Personal Assistant. It’s basically a high-end butler service that handles everything from airport transfers to booking your 4x4 tours into the mountains.
You also get access to the Jacarandá Club. Private rooftop pool? Check. Exclusive breakfast away from the crowds? Double check. It's the move if you want the amenities of a 350-room resort but the privacy of a boutique hotel.
Let's talk about the Laurea Spa
It is, quite literally, the largest spa in Portugal. 33,000 square feet.
📖 Related: Full Moon San Diego CA: Why You’re Looking at the Wrong Spots
If you’ve ever hiked the levadas (those narrow irrigation channels that crisscross the island), the spa will feel strangely familiar. The design uses light and water to mimic the "furados" (tunnels) and lagoons of the mountains.
They have a Kneipp water path, which is basically walking through cold and warm water to shock your circulation into gear. It sounds painful. It’s actually amazing after a long flight. They also have a "Champagne & Nails" bar, because why choose between a manicure and a glass of bubbly?
Eating your way through the 16th floor
Usually, hotel food is... fine. It's safe. But Galáxia Skyfood on the rooftop is actually worth the hype.
They do this "constellation" of flavors thing. Basically, it’s fine dining with a view of the Funchal harbor that makes you feel like you're floating. If you want something less formal, Pau de Lume focuses on fire-based cooking—think aged meats and oven-baked goodness.
And for the sushi fans, Nikkei does Japanese-Peruvian fusion. It’s a bit of a trend globally, but they pull it off here by using insanely fresh seafood caught right off the coast.
👉 See also: Floating Lantern Festival 2025: What Most People Get Wrong
What it’s actually like to stay here
The rooms are huge. Even the standard "Avenue Rooms" start around 40 square meters. But if you can, book an Ocean Room. About 85% of the hotel has sea views, and there is something genuinely therapeutic about waking up, opening those floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and realizing the Atlantic is the only thing between you and the horizon.
Is it expensive? Yeah, it's a luxury palace. But compared to similar 5-star spots in London or Paris, you get a lot more for your money in Madeira.
Common misconceptions
- "It's too big to be personal." Surprisingly, it doesn't feel like a factory. The staff-to-guest ratio is high, and because the layout is so spread out across different levels and gardens, you can always find a quiet corner.
- "It's just for old people." The old Savoy was. The new one has a rooftop bar (Galáxia) that gets pretty lively and a tech-forward vibe that appeals to a younger crowd.
- "You're stuck in the hotel." You’re a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. You don't need a car if you just want to explore Funchal's restaurants and the famous farmer's market (Mercado dos Lavradores).
Actionable steps for your trip
If you're planning to book the Savoy Hotel Funchal Madeira, keep these tips in mind to get the most out of it:
- Book the "Premium Experience" if you can't afford The Reserve. It gives you access to the Jacarandá Lounge and certain rooftop areas without the full price tag of the top-tier suites.
- Request a room on a higher floor. The lower floors are great, but the wave-like architecture means the views get exponentially better the higher you go.
- Don't skip the sunrise breakfast. The hotel can arrange a 4x4 trip to Pico do Areeiro. You eat breakfast above the clouds while the sun comes up. It's easily the coolest thing you'll do on the island.
- Check the dress code. Most of the high-end spots like Galáxia require "smart casual." Leave the flip-flops in the room for dinner.
- Use the sister properties. Staying at the Palace often gives you "cross-perks" at other Savoy Signature hotels like NEXT or Royal Savoy, including access to different beach platforms.
The Savoy Palace isn't trying to be a traditional Madeiran quinta. It's a statement. It's a modern, slightly flashy, but deeply respectful nod to what the island has become: a world-class destination that isn't afraid to show off a little.