Savoy Palace rises above the Atlantic as a modern tribute to Madeira’s natural beauty, where contemporary luxury meets the island’s rich heritage. Inspired by the terraced hillsides and lush gardens that define the landscape, the hotel blends elegant design with a deep respect for its surroundings. Here, hospitality is guided by a philosophy of authenticity and sustainability—celebrating local culture, seasonal flavours, and the warm Madeiran spirit that turns every stay into something far more meaningful than a holiday.
Savoy Palace, part of Savoy Collection hotels is a place that explores not only luxury but a homeliness to replicate your own home right in the heart of Madeira. The hotel is a large luxury resort with numerous pools, however, the large outdoor turquoise tiled pool is a clear favourite, with the famous bridge, plenty of sun loungers and Bali beds. We stayed within The Reserve, almost a hotel within a hotel, which is an upgraded luxury service only available to people with The Reserve experience. Safe to say it was a ‘royal’ experience fit for the Savoy ‘palace”!
The Reserve Experience
The experience here was phenomenal. From the initial check in you’re welcomed by multiple staff members, and taken to the 16th floor via your private elevator with a view and a leather seat to enjoy the ride up. We were taken to Jacarandá Club where you check in with a welcome drink. It was a seamless experience and we even had our own personal assistant, Diogo, whom we could reach whenever we wanted (or one member of the team) 24/7 via WhatsApp. It was an excellent addition to confirm both itineraries and queries. Once taken to our room, the pool suite, we were blown away! This suite was complete with a large marble bathroom, two sinks, a Dyson hair wrap for the ladies, a huge bedroom and a large sitting area with a Nespresso and tea making facilities. When you proceed to the double doors, you’ll find outside the most fantastic feature - your own plunge pool, adorned by gorgeous cultivated shrubbery, a huge day bed, table and chairs and a side balcony with another table and chairs, facing the sea this time, which was ideal for watching the boats. There were also homely touches, framed photos of us on the table, to add that extra home from home touch! You're treated like royalty, and that is most definitely their aim. Of course sustainability is always at their core, but that will be discovered a little later.
The room service was incredible, daily treats brought to the room, a dressing gown and soft chunky slippers for the spa and their own pyjama set! Furthermore, there were added extra organisation touches which added to the impeccable service! The Reserve experience goes above and beyond the beautiful suites. The entire hotel is stunningly decorated to match the colours and textures of Madeira. However, step out of your room and you’ll find lush carpeted corridors, with plush sofas to sit and enjoy the mountain views.
Sit in your private elevator up to Jacarandá Club on the 16th floor which is where you’ll find breakfast served to your table, with an array of delicious treats and healthy filling items, from avocado toast, pancakes and pastrami with brioche. Of course you can expect it to be anything but ordinary. They also serve you a selection of the finest freshest fruit, local pastries, breads, cheeses and meats; all yours. They offer a selection of healthy juices and smoothies also which ties in perfectly to Savoy’s dedication to wellness and relaxation. The Jacarandá also has its own private terrace and rooftop infinity pool, with sun beds, and Bali beds and free drinks and little snacks brought round. Fresh towels given after every swim and suncream and hats available! Even in winter, the sunshine is out in full force! The entire area is a private spot only for The Reserve guests.
The Reserve at Savoy Palace – Perks & Room Amenities
Private 16th-floor check-in with welcome drinks and sea views
24/7 personal assistant via WhatsApp for reservations, itineraries, and queries
Luxury suites featuring marble bathrooms, dual sinks, Dyson hair tools, and Nespresso/tea facilities
Private plunge pool terrace with daybed, table & chairs, lush greenery, and sea-facing balcony
Thoughtful touches: daily treats, personalised framed photos, spa robes, chunky slippers, and custom pyjamas
Exclusive Jacarandá Club access: breakfast, rooftop infinity pool, sunbeds, Bali beds, complimentary drinks and snacks
Seamless luxury experience blending comfort, indulgence, and homely warmth
Food worth talking about
With eight restaurants and bars, Savoy Palace offers a diverse culinary scene — from refined rooftop dining to relaxed, locally inspired spaces. Each has a different genre, style and experience. You’ll find that the main restaurants are of course open to non-residents, so anyone can come to experience a taste of the Savoy Palace, whether it’s for drinks or a full tasting experience. Both Galaxia Skybar and Nikkei offer tasting menus that are both exquisite in idea and execution. You’ll find that all ingredients used are fresh from Madeira, with some found within the chef’s garden. There is no denying that these restaurants are fine dining, and pair it with the views of the city, it’s very hard to beat. The Jacaranda Club also offers a beautiful afternoon tea, with the finest teas the world has to offer, and of course delicacies that leave you wanting more.
Galaxia Skybar
The Galaxia Skybar also illuminates in wild colours of cobalt and royal blue, with the design to represent the galaxy. Each dish is a work of art, and they take time to really explain what everything is, you’ll be able to learn about flavours and sometimes tastes are adapted depending on your preference. The Galaxia Skybar is a beautiful 16th floor restaurant overlooking the mountains.
The Seven Moments menu at Galaxia Restaurant in Funchal is a masterclass in modern Madeiran fine dining, guiding guests through a sequence of dishes that celebrate the island’s flavors with creativity and precision. It begins with a selection of artisanal breads, butters, extra virgin olive oil, and fleur de sel, followed by an elegant trio of starters featuring Algarve prawns with citrus, black scabbard fish roe with malassada, and skipjack tuna with Bolo do Caco bread. The tasting continues with delicate scallops paired with local tuna jerky, truffle, wasabi, praline, and fermented apple, before moving on to a fish course showcasing local catches with squid, migas crumbs, acorn-cured meats, and coriander. A rich Wagyu beef dish is served with fried cornmeal, truffle, fermented garlic butter, and bay leaf, leading into a vibrant dessert of poncha, passionfruit, honey, and peanut. The experience concludes with coffee, tea, and petits fours, each course thoughtfully designed to balance innovation, local ingredients, and visual artistry. We also sampled this with the wine pairing, with wines from across Madeira. A true treat for residents and non residents!
Terreiro
Terreiro Restaurant at Savoy Palace is a vibrant celebration of contemporary Madeiran cuisine, where local ingredients meet bold flavors and relaxed, elegant dining. Guests are welcomed with artisanal breads, olives, and chef-selected olive oils before diving into standout dishes like the crispy chicken wings served with ginger mayonnaise and chives—an irresistible start that perfectly balances spice and freshness. The menu continues with inventive bites, including codfish cakes, braised giblets, and mini picanha sandwiches, all crafted to highlight the island’s rich culinary heritage.
Signature dishes such as tender gnocchi and roasted Santo da Serra curd cheese with caramelised pear showcase Terreiro's dedication to combining comfort with creativity. From fresh seafood to succulent meats like chicken with local chilli or Portuguese-style steak, each dish is thoughtfully prepared, reflecting the warmth and homeliness of Madeira while offering the refinement of a luxury dining experience. Of course every dish is always served with the most delicious, freshest coriander we have ever tried. The staff were attentive and we were accompanied by live music. Terreiro Restaurant, located within Savoy Palace on Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia is in the heart of Funchal, and easy to reach from Savoy Palace, within the grounds, and is a beautiful plush restaurant.
Nikkei, located on the 16th floor at Savoy Palace’s Jacarandá Club, is part of The Reserve experience—an elevated evening dining concept blending Japanese culinary precision with global flavours created by chef Miguel Bértolo, featuring a multi‑course kaiseki menu with wine pairings and bespoke cocktails (and while it’s primarily aimed at Reserve guests, non‑residents can also book the experience subject to availability). The Seven Moments menu here is a taste of Japan in Madeira, the flavours of Japan replicated with Madeira ingredients. There is a lot of fresh salmon on this menu, so that's good to note. Let's take a look at some of the dishes up close:
Sakizuke: A delicate seasonal amuse-bouche to awaken the palate.
Oshinogi: A refined second course balancing subtle flavours and textures to intrigue and delight.
Mukozuke: Fresh sashimi, salmon, showcasing the highest-quality seafood with simplicity and precision.
Otsukuri: Another seafood-focused course, enhanced with nuanced seasonings that highlight freshness and technique.
Nigirizushi: Hand-pressed sushi combining pristine fish with perfectly seasoned rice, sometimes accented with global flavour influences - including raw fresh wasabi, grated at the table fresh.
Menrui: A comforting chicken ramen, rich in umami and aromatic flavors, elevating a familiar dish with Nikkei’s signature fusion of East and West.
Kanmi: The dessert course, featuring delicate sweets that balance sweetness, texture - lots of pop rocks and coconut ice cream.
Spa and wellness
The Savoy Palace offers a magnificent spa experience, a place like no other to relax, wind down, and feel like yourself again. Home to the famous and luxurious Laurea Spa, you’ll find an almost mystical dark mysterious and oh so delicious pool area with long walkways, relaxing music and nature sounds, small snacks and hot teas and water and many areas for different purposes. Of course you have deep luscious greens adorning the walls and murals, which add to the ambience and the true style of this area. You’ll find numerous day beds and loungers around the pool, including a heated pool to swim in, a jacuzzi, a steam room with white and neon interiors, a sauna and relaxation rooms, heated and scented. The dark moody lighting makes it ideal for snoozing, meditating and feeling disconnected from the world. The outside pool is perfect for summer, with plenty of beds, restaurants around the pool depending on your taste, and there is also an indoor pool, for when you want to escape the heat.
The Laurea Spa also offers the immersive experience of Zero body treatments. Essentially a floating bed that allows you to sink and move as you would floating on the sea. There is a choice of different treatments from a head massage, a foot massage or a mini facial. Then the second half, you’re left completely alone with your headphones on to listen to a choice of music or sounds to relax with and meditate to. The treatment offers relaxation and other benefits such as muscular relaxation and mood boosting. It truly did offer that when we experienced it.
Sustainability
The hotel’s approach to sustainability is quietly impactful. It's woven into the everyday guest experience. Across the property, you'll find water refill stations and the use of reusable glass bottles to wider initiatives that significantly reduce waste. Thousands of coffee capsules have been recycled, while used cooking oil is repurposed into biofuels and cosmetics, demonstrating a commitment to circular practices. Electric vehicle charging stations are also available, supporting more conscious travel choices. The chef's garden is also woven into each dish, and the coriander was gorgeous - the freshest we have ever tasted.
At its core, the hotel recognises that sustainability extends beyond the environment to people and community. Its workforce reflects a strong sense of diversity and balance, bringing together individuals from a wide range of nationalities and backgrounds. Guests are welcomed into an environment that seamlessly blends comfort, innovation, and conscious hospitality, meaning that each and every time you visit, you're contributing to a strong healthy world. Sustainability is not treated as an add-on, but as a defining principle. It weaves in the nature of Madeira everywhere, from water features dedicated to their levada walks and beautiful foliage surrounding the hotel, showing its agricultural influence.
Overall a faultless experience...
In every detail, The Reserve at Savoy Palace Madeira captures the perfect balance of luxury, wellness, and sustainability. From the serene ocean views and thoughtfully designed suites to the immersive spa and mindful dining, it’s a place that allows you to truly recharge body and mind. What sets it apart is its commitment to the planet — from locally sourced ingredients and energy-conscious design to responsible guest practices — making it a resort that not only pampers its visitors but respects the natural beauty of Madeira. The Reserve is more than a stay; it’s a sophisticated, restorative experience that leaves you feeling renewed and connected to the island’s remarkable landscapes and culture.
For more information on Savoy Signature hotels and specifically about The Reserve experience, you can look here.
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