Hotel Orca Praia

Hotel Orca Praia details

“Amazing sea views, peaceful surroundings and a sandy beach just below – the Orca Praia has one of the best settings in Madeira.”

Built into a cliffside just outside Funchal, this hotel has spectacular views across the Atlantic. Plus, all the rooms face the ocean, so everyone gets their own share of the scenery. Better still, there’s a black sandy beach just below, reached by a steep pathway.

The pool makes the most of the location. Infinity-style, it stretches across a lower, sea-facing terrace. Sunloungers and parasols edge the water and there’s a snack bar here, too. And although it’s a steep walk back up to the hotel, the tranquillity down here more than makes up for it.

The hotel has recently been refurbished in a calm, contemporary style. Take the lobby, for instance. Here, coffee-coloured armchairs and striking sculptures have been teamed with marble floors sporting Persian rugs. In the bedrooms, meanwhile, everything’s done out in chocolate and fawn tones, with rich gold-brown drapes. TVs come as standard, too. The best bits, though, are the balconies. They’re spacious and furnished with tables and chairs.

Food-wise, there’s a smart restaurant complete with picture windows that zoom in on the views. Mealtimes are buffet-style, with the focus on familiar European staples and Madeiran specialities. There’s an à la carte menu, too, if you want something more formal.

Lastly, the spa here is a scenic place to relax. Treatment rooms, a gym and big hydrotherapy tubs all come with huge windows looking out to sea.