This isn't the ambience of a typical Funchal hotel (no offence, typical Funchal hotels – we love you too), but the ‘over-service, the quality of products and amenities, the old-world charm of the building and surrounding gardens– even, dare I say it, the clientele – all look, feel and smell different compared to other 5 star hotels. Honestly, you had me at the pillow menu (and my husband at the mix-your-own Bloody Mary on the breakfast buffet).
The hotel is traditionally styled, built around an old manor house (‘Quinta) perched on a cliff with access to the sea and stunning views of Funchal. Already regular guests at Funchal’s hotels and resorts, we had heard Reids described at a ‘destination hotel’, like Raffles Singapore or the Peninsular Hong Kong - charming, romantic, old-world, aristocratic - and we wanted in on the in-crowd.
Reid's is light and welcoming, largely thanks to its elegant terrace where past guests have included Sir Winston Churchill and Lady Margaret Thatcher who both enjoyed traditional British afternoon tea with views across the city and harbour.
Another of our favourite reasons to stay at the hotel – apart from the Bloody Marys – is the bathing area down at sea level, with its secluded sunbathing terraces smoothed into the rocks and its access to the sea, which not many hotels actually have in Madeira. Be warned, though, this is the Atlantic and the water is deep. Access is via steps off the breakwater but there is also a tidal pool, where you can enjoy a morning or pre-prandial dip without having to jump in the sea.
Besides Afternoon Tea on the Terrace, the hotel also has several excellent restaurants, including William, which has a Michelin star, and the romantic Italian trattoria, Cipriani on the Cliffside.
Also, the in-crowd are now getting on a bit (as indeed is anyone who is still using the term ‘in-crowd). Nowhere is this more apparent than at one of the hotel’s dinners and dance events. To us, though, we absolutely love these kitsch seventies time-warp events. I could not get my husband back to the table after being whisked onto the dance floor by one of the samba dancers during Carnival.
Overall Reid’s provides the most relaxing oasis, when you are done with sightseeing and walking around the busy centre of Funchal – exactly what you want a hotel to be.
Comments