10 Family Friendly Resorts in Madeira
If you are reading this after discovering our favorite things to do in Madeira or our Madeira vacation guide, then you already know that this beautiful island is a great place for a family vacation. Which resorts did we name the most family-friendly resorts in Madeira? Read on to find out.
Here are some of the best hotels for family vacations and a bonus vacation rental in Madeira.
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Best Places to Stay in Madeira with kids
You will find that most hotels are located in and around the city of Funchal on the south coast. In my opinion, this is one of the best areas on the island. You can access everything via day trips and it’s very close to the airport. The transfer is much easier than if you stayed on the west side of the island.
1. Reids Palace
The unmissable pink jewel in the Funchal skyline cannot be mistaken for anything else. Reids Palace is one of the most historic buildings on the island. Its age is part of its charm and it certainly rivals the Savoy Palace when it comes to the best luxury hotels in Madeira.
All ages are catered to, there is a tennis court, kids clubs, play stations, and bespoke experiences for quality family time.
Breakfast is included, but make sure to consider the family time offer that includes adult dinners, a discount on room service, and further discounts for young child dinners too.
Do not miss out on the iconic afternoon tea on the terrace. The black and white checkerboard floor, pink arches, and stunning view, along with some very tasty food make up the best afternoon tea I’ve ever had – and I’m from London!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT REIDS PALACE
2. Savoy Palace
The Savoy Palace is the newest addition to the Savoy family in Funchal. Just like its sister hotel, The Royal Savoy, it’s a five-star hotel and both are family-friendly options. They have easy access to the ocean and you can use your room key to access both hotels.
Having just opened, everything is all shiny and new. There is a huge outdoor pool on the ground floor, an adult-only infinity rooftop pool with panoramic views, and rooms with private pools too.
A breakfast buffet is included and there are several restaurants on the premises. It’s also located on a strip of local restaurants and shops. You don’t have to travel far to find great places to eat. It’s the perfect location!
There is a kids’ pool, child-friendly experiences, and a babysitting service. Adults can take a break in the largest spa in Funchal for some pampering.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT SAVOY PALACE
3. Pestana Casino Park Ocean and Spa Hotel
Funchal is very walkable, so there aren’t many hotels that will be far from the city center, however, Pestana Casino Park Ocean and Spa Hotel is just a short walk away.
The list of sports and games available on-site is as long as your arm. You can play basketball, ping pong, and tennis and there’s a kids club.
The infinity pool has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and the landscape of Funchal. We’re pretty sure you’ll never want to leave.
Their family rooms are made up of two adjoining rooms, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds. You can keep an eye on the kids while keeping some privacy. This hotel has been newly refurbished in 2022!
It’s all-inclusive 24 hours a day, which means the kids don’t need to ask for a drink and can eat whenever they are hungry. There’s a buffet restaurant, pool bar, a la carte, and grill restaurants, so everyone will find something they like.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT PESTANA CASINO
4. Calheta Beach
If you truly want a hotel with a sandy beach area, head to Calheta Beach. Their beach is a rare find in Madeira!
Calheta Beach hotel is almost entirely surrounded by water and the beaches are man-made. The hotel is toward the west of the island. If you are looking for somewhere smaller and quieter, this is a safe bet.
It’s an all-inclusive hotel with a mix of a la carte and buffet dining, beach bars, and pool snacks. They have karaoke and kids’ clubs. There is also a plethora of activities such as visiting banana plantations, touring sugar cane factories, and walking tours of the town.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT CALHETA BEACH HOTEL
5. Hotel Riu Madeira
Riu Madeira is located just outside of Funchal in Caniço de Baixo. The hotel runs a courtesy bus or it’s only a short drive if you want to spend the day in the town center.
The hotel has two pools and a children’s pool. It runs kids’ activities six days a week. It even has a golf course and offers scuba diving trips!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT RIU MADEIRA
6. Les Suites at The Cliff Bay
This 5-star hotel is award-winning. This year alone Les Suites at The Cliff Bay has been recognized by Guia Michelin, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com.
The property has a stunning infinity pool, a kid’s pool at sea level, sea access, a games room, and a babysitting service.
Their suites are huge, they have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two private verandas! Plenty of space for a large family, especially if other family members want to visit each other for games nights. You can even enjoy movie nights using the smart TV and mini bar with free soft drinks.
There are several places to eat and drink depending on what mood you’re in. You can try the two Michelin-starred Il Gallo d’Oro or the oceanside Blue Lagoon restaurant. It’s no wonder they’re award-winning!
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT LES SUITES AT THE CLIFF BAY
7. VidaMar Resort Hotel Madeira
VidaMar Resort is a great option for families with small children! Every day the kids club is packed with activities from 10 am – 5 pm. From water activities, face painting and cooking classes, to painting t-shirts, magnet making and egg ‘n’ spoon races.
From Monday to Saturday there’s plenty for your children to do, they won’t want to leave the hotel.
Their family holidays package not only includes family-friendly rooms but half board dining and free entry to the Cristiano Ronaldo museum and discounts on spa treatments.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT VIDAMAR RESORT
8. Pestana Promenade
Pestana Promenade is from the same brand as the Pestana Casino Park Ocean and Spa Hotel, only it’s located further out of the city.
It has three pools plus a kids pool and a variety of restaurants, including the Deep Blue à la carte international restaurant which serves international and Portuguese dishes. With this option, you can try some local cuisine.
Most rooms sleep three people with a mix of single and double beds so this is ideal for smaller families, or would work if families split across rooms.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT PESTANA PROMENADE
9. Hotel Porto Mare
From the same brand as Les Suites at The Cliff Bay, Hotel Porto Mare is located just outside of Funchal.
This hotel has four pools and the only thing that separates it from the ocean is the promenade. You can take daily walks along the beach to take in the breathtaking ocean views.
The gardens are full of over 500 types of flowers, plants, and trees, so nature lovers will love walking around the lush gardens.
When it comes to food, there’s a long list of a la carte restaurants. You can try Italian, Portuguese and Mediterranean. If you like European sports you can watch soccer in the sports bar and even visit the ice cream parlor.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT HOTEL PORTO MARE
10. Enotel Lido Madeira
Enotel Lido Madeira is also located on a promenade which is great for taking babies for a stroll to get them to sleep while you enjoy the views!
It’s a ten-minute car ride to Funchal, so days out are easy. There’s a kids’ pool, a kids club, a teens club, a golf course, and a spa. This way, everyone has something to do if you’ve no trips planned. Evening entertainment is also a hit, with discos and cabaret acts that vary from night to night.
If you’re hungry there are four bars, a buffet restaurant, and an ice cream bar and it’s all-inclusive. If you do want to venture out, there are lots of restaurants close by and Funchal is always an option.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RATES AT ENOTEL LIDO MADEIRA
Extra Option – A Vacation Rental in Madeira
Villa in Arco da Calheta
If you are looking for something with more space than a hotel, consider a vacation rental. There are plenty of villas to choose from near Funchal.
Many villas can sleep up to 10 people (or more), and have private patios with pools and a BBQ area. There are some that even have stunning ocean and mountain views!
If you want a bit of privacy and the ability to explore more of the island, a vacation rental might be the option for you!
CLICK HERE TO SEE AVAILABLE VACATION RENTALS IN ARCO DA CALHETA
About the author: Sian is a London-based writer and travel enthusiast. She works as a Campaign Manager in the education industry, and eats, sleeps, and breathes travel in her spare time.
Her love for travel and adventure began in 2009 when she went quad-biking through the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Since then she has traveled to a number of countries, searching out unique spots and activities wherever she goes.
In the last year, she has been to Portugal, Berlin, and Madeira and hopes to visit Jamaica next.
