Quinta do Furao

The hotel sits in five hectares of organic gardens, on a clifftop overlooking the coastal town of Santana in northeast Madeira. The gardens grow vegetables and herbs used in the hotel’s restaurant, as well as vines used in the production of Madeira’s acclaimed wines.

The guestrooms and suites at Quinta do Furao are pleasingly traditional, with dark wood antique furniture, polished floorboards, and exposed ceiling beams. Even the entry-level Classic rooms boast their own balcony, with either sea, mountain or garden views. Junior suites are open-plan and feature a cosy sitting area, while the two-bedroom Villas have separate living rooms with fireplaces. Whichever room or suite you choose, you’ll find modern conveniences, and almost all of the modern, tiled bathrooms have bathtubs.

The hotel’s main restaurant has a cosy, rustic feel, with a stone-tiled floor, wine-red walls and dark wood furniture. The food is correspondingly traditional, with classic Madeiran and Mediterranean dishes served up using locally grown, seasonal ingredients – sample dishes include scabbard fish and scallops, oxtail ravioli, and wrasse with curried apple. In the hotel’s wine cellar, you can taste and buy four varieties of locally produced wine, while the on-site pub and billiards room is a great place to while away an evening.

The hotel’s indoor/outdoor pool is perfect for relaxing in all seasons, its sliding roof either letting in the heat or keeping things cool according to the weather. Other relaxation facilities include a whirlpool, sauna and massage room, with a small fitness room if you’re looking to keep active.

Table tennis and billiards are among the games on offer at the hotel, while wine tasting in the cellar is a great introduction to the four main types of Madeira wine. Further afield, Madeira is rich in cultural and physical activities on land and sea, and the island’s small size means it’s easy to get around. Boat trips will take you past the rugged inlets and secluded bays of the island’s coast, while more than 20 species of whales and dolphins can be spotted in the waters here. There’s also some of the best surfing in Europe at Madeira’s beaches, at Jardim do Mar on the western coast, and, closer to the hotel, Sao Vicente and Porto da Cruz.

Back on dry land, head to the capital Funchal for beautiful botanical gardens and medieval architecture.