Since the 1980s, Madeira Island has been mesmerizing travelers. Six hundred miles southwest of Portugal and 400 miles west of Morocco, the volcanic island has a warm year-round climate and spectacular black-sand beaches. Mix in an intricate trail system along with the Lavada irrigation system, and throngs of friendly locals in the vibrant capital city of Funchal., and you have a picturesque paradise brimming with activities to suit all travelers.
Naturally, a storied vacation destination such as this offers a wide variety of accommodations. Funchal has many lodging choices, but a truly exceptional option may be found on the southern coast of the island. The Savoy Saccharum Resort and Spa is at Calheta, a half-hour drive from Funchal and a 45-minute ride from Madeira’s airport.
The stylish, five-star property is nestled between the sea and a jagged rock-faced mountain, on the site of an old sugar refinery. Sugar cane has grown in Madeira since the end of the 15th century. The artwork chosen by trendsetting Madeira designer and architect Nini Andrade Silva pays homage to that industrial past in this renovation of the former mill. Andrade Silva’s signature dark motifs blend flawlessly with an aesthetic that reflects the sugar mill, the surrounding landscape and the culture of the island.
The contemporary rooms and suites evoke a sense of tranquility. Individually named after various processes in sugar production — “Molasses,” for example — the elegantly designed rooms provide the island’s ultimate resort experience. Some suites face the beach; others look toward the rugged cliffs. Each comes with sofas, desks and spacious balconies. Luxurious marble bathrooms feature grey slate sinks, rain showers and eco-friendly plant-based products.
Guests may choose between three dining experiences and five cocktail bars. A sumptuous breakfast buffet served overlooking the vast Atlantic Ocean at the Engenho restaurant, includes local fruit, meats and cheeses, eggs to order, pancakes and waffles, with an emphasis on Mediterranean fare including Italian risottos and pastas.
Alambique, the hotel’s a la carte restaurant, specializes in local Madeiran cuisine, using fresh produce, meats and fish sourced locally. Alambique also has a vegan and Ayurvedic menu.
The Fly lounge bar, perfectly positioned between the rugged mountains and the Atlantic, is the prototypical sunset bar. The Calhau Bar, on the manmade beachfront, and Garapa Bar, on the second floor, are other worthy watering holes.
The Savoy Signature Spa is the place to relax and rejuvenate with its Turkish bath and heated indoor pool. Four treatment rooms offer the likes of a signature sugar-cane massage. The Saccharum has four swimming pools, including the popular infinity pool with its panoramic sea view. Kids are delighted with a wading pool and games room. There is also a squash court and a gym.
The guest experience is superb, and the hospitality gems go beyond the call of duty to enhance your stay. Brilliantly nestled between the hills and the sea, the Savoy Saccharum Resort and Spa indulges your senses.
—Nicholas Kontis, Publisher
