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Reid's Palace

in Funchal , Madeira T rating: 5

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Elegant hotel with worldwide reputation overlooking the Bay of Funchal
3 swimming pools
Spa set in 10 acres of lush, semi-tropical gardens

Read more about A la Carte

Follow in the footsteps of Sir Winston Churchill and check in to Madeira’s famous Reid's Palace.

When a hotel boasts a Prime Minister and a Nobel Prize-winning author among its past guests, you know you’re in for something special. Sir Winston Churchill set up camp here while writing his war memoirs, and Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw regularly checked in when he fancied a break. The place has been Madeira’s number one hotel for more than a century, and these days it’s as impressive as ever.

Take the setting, for instance. Perched on rugged cliffs that plunge down to the Atlantic, and surrounded by ten acres of subtropical gardens, the attractive whitewashed hotel is in a really peaceful spot. Outside, three big swimming pools take pride of place. One is just footsteps from the sea, while the others offer up fantastic views from their raised positions.

Elsewhere, you’ll find the spa. It features a sauna and a steam room, and five cabins for the likes of body massages and reflexology.

Another great thing about this place is it’s geared up for the children, too – in fact, half the guests here last year were families. As well as a FUN@KIDS playground area with swimming pool for children from 3 to 9 years, there's a FUN@TEENAGERS zone equipped with computers and videogame consoles.

The restaurants also do a good job of catering for the little ones. The main eatery opens early for children, and offers up a special menu. Everyone else, meanwhile, can look forward to Mediterranean dishes made from the best local ingredients. And when you fancy a change of scenery, there are four other restaurants to check out. What’s more, every Tuesday a dinner dance is held in the dining room. And on Saturdays, there are champagne gala buffets to look forward to - don't forget your jacket and tie.

Completing the hotel’s impressive line-up are the rooms. Traditional wooden furniture and patterned soft furnishings give them an elegant vibe, while high-speed internet access and satellite TVs add a modern touch.

The hotel is part of Orient-Express and a member of Leading Hotels of the World. The more active can enjoy watersports, tennis, golf and mountain walks.

Hotel features

Private Transfers - Forget the queue for the coach - you'll get a private taxi straight to your hotel
Select Your Seat - You'll get to choose exactly where you sit on the plane. In fact, you can reserve your actual seat numbers upfront.
Day-before Check-in - With UK day-before check-in you'll get to jump the airport queues. It's free at Gatwick and Manchester and you can just turn up. At Birmingham it's free but you need to book ahead.
Specialist Holiday Advisors - Our Premier Holiday Advisors are on hand to give you the low-down on your destination
You'll only be entitled to all the benefits listed above if you book one of our package holidays. You'll see exactly what's included on the Options page before you book your holiday. Please see our A-Z Guide for more information.

Meals

'Garden Room' restaurant for buffet breakfast with fresh juices and champagne
Half Board upgrades have choice of a 3-course à la carte menu from 1 of Reid's restaurants
'Les Faunes' gourmet restaurant with views of Funchal bay and harbour
Champagne gala buffet and dinner dance
Edwardian-style events in 'The Dining Room' restaurant weekly
'Brisa do Mar' al fresco restaurant - seasonal
'Villa Cipriani' Italian restaurant
Pool terrace restaurant for buffet lunch and snacks
The following dining options are available to book on arrival:
Afternoon tea at Reid's served on the terrace overlooking the gardens
Manager's cocktail party
Reid's Palace moonlight dinner - dine in seclusion with a choice of 5 different locations in the gardens
Christmas and New Year gala meals included

Swimming pool

2 heated swimming pools, 1 saltwater
Sea-level pool and bathing jetty, reached via lift or stairs
Terraces

Entertainment

Daily activity programme
Dancing to live music
Lounges
Cocktail bar with live entertainment
Bridge room
Snooker room

Activities

2 tennis courts
Table tennis
Deep sea fishing, in summer
Massage
Gym
Sauna
Spa facilities
30% discount on green fees and guaranteed starting times at the Palheiro and Santo da Serra courses - free transport to Palheiro, subject to availability

For Families

Hotel-run supervised children's activity programme
Fun at Reid's house with a children's pool, extended outdoor playground, Wendy house, TV with DVD, computer/electronic games, traditional games and toys
Teen room with Playstations®, Wii stations, plasma TVs and internet facilities
Children's bathrobes, slippers and toiletries
Children's menu in the 'Villa Cipriani', pool restaurant & room service
Early meal sitting at the 'Villa Cipriani'

Facilities

Shop
Hairdresser
Courtesy bus to centre

Special Offers

Honeymoons get sparkling wine and flowers on arrival. Anniversaries get sparkling wine on arrival and a room upgrade, subject to availability.

Free room upgrade from Classic to Superior and from Superior to Deluxe for stays between 1st November 2013 - 28th December 2013 and 6th January 2014 - 28th February 2014

Important Information

Luggage may be transported separately on the coach transfer

Extra Charges

Some facilities may incur extra local charges, please see the A-Z Guide

Other Information

We've plotted your holiday accommodation as accurately as possible. But for some smaller hotels or villas the map may pinpoint the centre of the nearest town rather than the property itself, so make sure you read the location description too.

24/7 Service in Resort

This is our 24-hour phone service. You can use it to book days out, find out the local bus times and let us know about any problems that crop up. Prefer to speak to someone face to face? You can call us to arrange a personal visit too.

Our rating

Official Rating

5 Star Deluxe

No. of floors

No. of lifts

No. of rooms

163

Room facilities

All rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, DVD, telephone, internet, soft drinks in the minibar, 24 hour room service, complimentary shoe cleaning service, balcony and have a sea view. Classic rooms are standard rooms sleeping 2 with twin beds and extend to 20sqm.

Room Upgrades

We also offer Superior rooms, Deluxe rooms, Classic interconnecting rooms and Deluxe interconnecting rooms.

Superior rooms sleep up to 3 with twin beds, an extra bed, space for a cot and extend to 26m².

Deluxe rooms sleep up to 3 with twin beds, an extra bed and extend to 31sqm.

Classic interconnecting rooms sleep 2 with twin beds and an extra bed - you'll need to book 2 of these room types to get 2 rooms with a connecting door.

Deluxe interconnecting rooms sleep up to 3 with twin beds and an extra bed - you'll need to book 2 of these room types to get 2 rooms with a connecting door.

Location

Set on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic ocean
2km to Funchal centre

Transfers

40 to 50 minutes

Your guide to Funchal, Madeira

“A landscape covered in blooms and greenery, and a cobbled old town filled with boutiques and wine bars – that’s the scene in Funchal.”

Madeira’s capital city is sprawled across a pea-green hillside and framed by jagged limestone cliffs. And, just like the rest of the island, it’s covered in a blanket of bougainvillea and jacaranda trees.

Down by the waterfront, a palm-lined promenade runs the length of the city, backed by grassy lawns, fountains and restaurants. Local artists spread their work out on blankets along the floor, while musicians entertain al fresco diners, while they soak up the views of the marina.

Away from the seafront, yellow taxis line up along the leafy avenues, and holidaymakers sip wine in the sunny, cobbled squares of the old town. Funchal’s terracotta-topped buildings are some of the prettiest around, too – they’re accessorised with green window shutters and flower-wrapped balconies.

As for things to do, you’ve got everything from art galleries to high-end shops to keep you busy. And you can’t visit Funchal without seeing its covered market or experiencing its top attraction – a cable car that takes you up to the mountain village of Monte. From here, you can hurtle back down towards the city in a toboggan.