Savoy Palace Debuts In Madeira Portugal

The Savoy Palace made its debut in Madeira, Portugal, this summer, expanding and elevating the Savoy Signature portfolio, a family-owned collection of historic hotels and resorts on the scenic island in the Atlantic, about about a two-hour flight from Lisbon.

The award-winning local team of RH+ Arquitectos and the prominent Madeiran interior designer Nini Andrade Silva designed the dynamic modern palace hotel, which is the first and only Leading Hotels of the Word affiliate in the Madeira archipelago.

Built on the site of the former Savoy Hotel, the dramatic curved structure with expansive terraces and balconies makes the most of the surrounding mountain and ocean views from its prime location in the capital city of Funchal, a short walk from the charming Old Town.

The sweeping panoramas are best appreciated from the rooftop lounge, terraced gardens, and multiple pools, including the Galáxia Skypool, a rooftop infinity pool that virtually melts into the Atlantic Ocean. Another infinity pool can be found at the adults-only Premium Lounge, featuring a cocktail bar and Jacuzzi.

The hotel’s 309 rooms and 43 suites include 14 Ocean Pool Suites with wrap-around balconies and private plunge pools. The two-bedroom Rooftop Presidential Suite is as good as it gets with sweeping views and its own terrace plus an indoor/outdoor swimming pool.

Interiors are light, airy, and contemporary with a neutral palette, abundant natural stone and wood and organic shapes that draw upon the natural surroundings. Funchal native, Nini Andrade Silva blended influences from the local culture and the age-old traditions of embroidery, wickerwork, and Madeira wine as well as the area’s landscape with its ancient network of irrigation channels and tunnels and the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest laurel forest in the world.

The property’s four restaurants and four bars each have a different mood and menu—from the rooftop Galáxia Skyfood with its celestial theme to the al fresco, poolside Alameda restaurant which brings a taste of the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, with a pizza oven and coal-fired grilled specialties.

When it came to health and wellness, Savoy Palace went all in with the 33,000-square-foot Laurea Spa, which takes inspiration from the aforementioned Laurissilva Forest. In addition to 11 treatment rooms and a fitness center, the spa features a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, ice fountain, sensorial showers, halotherapy room, an indoor pool, and relaxation room, plus a nail and beauty salon. The extensive treatment menu ranges from exclusive forest-inspired healing rituals to classic facials and massages.

Dubbed the The Garden Island of The Atlantic, Madeira may be under the radar for most Americans, but the island has been named Europe's Leading Island Destination at the World Travel Awards for five consecutive years.

From hiking the peaks of the Madeira Ocean Trails to diving among volcanic formations and indigenous sea fauna to tasting the island’s famous fortified wine, Savoy Place has designed a range of special experiences so you can make the most of what this captivating island has to offer.