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Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
Funchal, Portugal · Belmond · Grand Luxury
Reid's Palace opened in November 1891 on a clifftop west of Funchal Bay in Madeira, the long-planned project of William Reid, a Scottish crofter's son who arrived on the island in 1836 at age 14 and built his fortune in the Madeiran wine trade. Construction began in 1887 under architects George Somers Clarke and John Micklethwaite; Reid died before completion, and his sons opened it. Early guests included Empress Elizabeth of Austria and George Bernard Shaw, and Winston Churchill returned in 1949 to recuperate and paint. Orient-Express Hotels acquired the property in 1996.
- 126 rooms
- Opened 1891
- Neighborhood: São Martinho
- Rooms from 193 sq ft (18 m²)
- Architect: George Somers Clarke and John Thomas Micklethwaite
- Interiors: Graham Viney
About Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira
- Architect George Somers Clarke, who had just completed Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo, designed the clifftop Funchal build that began in 1887.
- Reid ordered tons of rich imported soil shipped in to lay out the sub-tropical gardens before a single stone of the hotel was laid.
- The William Restaurant now holds one Michelin star, and three seawater pools are carved into the volcanic rock below the terrace.
- Entry-level rooms start at 193 sq ft (18 m²).
History
William Reid, a Scottish crofter's son, landed in Madeira in 1836 at fourteen and made his money in the wine trade. He spent decades planning a clifftop hotel west of Funchal Bay. Architects George Somers Clarke, just off Shepheard's in Cairo, and John Thomas Micklethwaite began the build in 1887. Reid died before it opened. His sons William and Alfred received the first guests in November 1891. Tons of imported soil had already been laid for the sub-tropical gardens.
Empress Elizabeth of Austria and George Bernard Shaw were among the early names; Shaw danced on the terrace. Winston Churchill came back in 1949 to recover and to paint. Orient-Express Hotels bought the house in 1996.
Three seawater pools sit in the volcanic rock below the terrace; William Restaurant now holds a Michelin star. The 1891 cliff hotel is still the one that looks down on Funchal.
The setting
Dramatically positioned on a clifftop west of Funchal Bay, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel's lush sub-tropical gardens were laid out using tons of rich imported soil before construction began. 1.8 km from Cathedral of Funchal. 3.9 km from Praia Formosa.
Restaurants and bars
- William Restaurant — Restaurant · One MICHELIN Star
- Villa Cipriani — Poolside
- Brisa do Mar — Restaurant
- 1891 Bar & Tea Library — Bar
- Gelateria San Giorgio — Café · Gelato
Experiences
- Traditional Afternoon Tea — Afternoon tea overlooking the ocean.
- Sunrise above the clouds — Watch the sun rise from the 1,818-metre Pico do Arieiro, with a succulent breakfast paired with champagne.
- Voyage to the Desertas — Boat ride to the Desertas Islands to explore caverns and grottos and look for dolphins and monk seals.
- Wild Peninsula — Explore the rugged São Lourenço Peninsula, swim in the clear sea, and savour a snack at Ponta do Rosto viewpoint.
- Guided garden and historical tours — Guided tours of the hotel's subtropical gardens and Reid's Palace historical tours.
- Botanical art workshops — Botanical art workshops offered by the hotel.
Amenities
- Three seawater pools carved into volcanic rock
- Spa
- Tennis courts
- Sub-tropical cliff-side gardens
- Fitness center
- Winston Churchill Suite
- Access to Funchal seafront promenade
- Sauna
- Hot tub
- Kids' club
- Fine dining
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Recommended (2026)
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star
- Michelin star (William Restaurant)
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