Description
Linking the ocean to the top of the cliffs, the 4* star Pestana Palms’ unique architecture and bright paint causes it stand out along Funchal’s coastline. The hotel enjoys direct access to the ocean and is only 20 minutes’ walk away from Funchal’s city centre, offering you the best of both worlds.
The 76 bedrooms are situated in the newer building and are a mixture of studios and apartments decorated in classic seaside tones. Each room features a kitchenette, balcony, TV, and free Wi-Fi. The circular shape of the building means that all rooms can enjoy the fabulous panoramic ocean views.
The large outdoor swimming pool looks out onto the ocean and rocky coastline, surrounded by sun loungers and palm trees, and there is a diving centre nearby for those looking for further water-based activities. Relax in the hotel’s Health Club which has its own gym, jacuzzi and massage rooms.
There is no shortage of dining options at the Pestana Palms with four different on-site locations. The A Flor do Mar restaurant is housed in the new circular building and hosts buffet breakfasts and dinners whilst enjoying spectacular panoramic ocean views. The Pool Bar and Restaurant are located poolside and looks right out onto the ocean and serves fresh juices, cocktails and lighter meals à la carte.
The adjacent Quinta Vila Lido is the old manor house and is where you will find the reception, library, bar and Tea House. The Vila’s Tea House serves afternoon tea in a country house setting, and for a livelier atmosphere, head to the Vila Lido Bar and Bistro where you can sample delicious cocktails and innovative dishes accompanied by live music.
The hotel is only 25 minutes’ drive away from Funchal’s airport and has private parking.
Relax in the charming, green city of Funchal on the island of Madeira. Surrounded by mountains, this vibrant city faces the depths of the blue Atlantic and boasts a mild climate all year round.
Funchal is Madeira’s oldest city and where the island’s first settlement was established. Exploring the old town you can spot testaments to its history through some of the remaining 15th century buildings such as the Corpo Santo Chapel. The Rua de Santa Maria is one of the city’s oldest streets and you will spot some old family-run businesses.
Its prime position in the Atlantic means that Madeira has often been used as a stopover for ships traversing the Atlantic, and as its main port city, Funchal became a key trading point. The city has come on a long way from its roots as a fennel-growing pirate haven and has evolved into a world class destination renowned for its modern and lively atmosphere with many great restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues, not to mention the natural beauty surrounding the city.
It is one of the main ports of call for cruise liners and many cruise ships berth in Funchal on their maiden voyage. Seeing multiple cruise ships in port is quite a usual sight in this city and the cafes, restaurants and historic centre are just moments away from the port. The nightlife scene has much to offer visitors with bars and clubs open until the early hours and the popular Madeira Casino offering nightly entertainment.
Like many archipelagos, Madeira has a number of fascinating customs and delicacies that are unique to the island. The toboggan rides through the city of Funchal, where people barrel down steep hills in large wicker baskets aided by ‘drivers’ in boater hats, is an intriguing sight to behold and an exhilarating experience.
Access to the island: It typically takes between 4-6 hours to fly to Madeira from the UK. Some airlines offer direct flights to the island, while others connect via Lisbon.
Alongside the popular cosmopolitan areas like Funchal, Madeira is a rich, beautiful island with experiences to cater to many tastes. With nearly two thirds of the island’s surface classified as a nature reserve, there is no shortage of beautiful natural scenery. One of the most popular activities is hiking along the Levadas and mountains; these routes follow the 16th century ‘Levadas’ which are open air canals used to carry water from the dense forests and waterfalls to the island’s towns and cities. These hikes take you through some of the greenest parts of the island and you can marvel at the luscious laurel forests and picturesque waterfalls.
For those looking for adventurous breaks, Madeira has a wealth of activities including diving, surfing, swimming with dolphins, boat trips, mountain-biking, canyoning and even coastal paragliding. Many of the island’s hotels have swimming pools so you are never far from somewhere to cool off.
Like many archipelagos, Madeira has a number of fascinating customs and delicacies that are unique to the island. The toboggan rides through the city of Funchal, where people barrel down steep hills in large wicker baskets aided by ‘drivers’ in boater hats, is an intriguing sight to behold and an exhilarating experience. As an island nation, seafood plays a huge role in Madeira’s gastronomy, but its mild year-round climate creates the perfect conditions to grow delicious produce such as bananas, pineapples and sugar cane. One of the island’s traditional drinks is ‘Poncha’ made with brandy cane sugar, lemons and honey and no trip would be complete without sampling some traditional Madeira wine.
It typically takes 4 hours (direct) or between 5-6 hours (connecting) to fly to Madeira from the UK. Some airlines (such as British Airways, Easyjet and Jet2) offer direct flights to the island, while others connect via Lisbon.
