HotelChatter

I’m always a sucker for hotels with history, and this hotel has history. William Reid first came to Madeira as a cabin boy at the age of 14 in 1836 with, as legend has it, only ₤5 in his pocket. The enterprising lad made his fortune exporting Madeira’s famous fortified wines to England, and acquired lands and hotels on the island.

Eventually he bought a spot west of Funchal, and had it overlaid with soil in which to grow a sub-tropical garden, then hired architect George Somers Clark to build his hotel. Sadly, Reid died in 1887 before the hotel was completed, but his two sons, Alfred and William opened the place in 1891, and since then, it has played host to monarchs, explorers, celebrities and artists. The Dining Room restaurant became known as the “House of Lords” because so many British aristocrats spent their holidays there. Even Winston Churchill came there to paint and write his memoirs.

Since then, the rooms have been refurbished with traditional white bedspreads, marble bathrooms, floors laid with famous Portuguese tiles, complimentary minibars, and daily buffet breakfast. Sure, the TV’s and video players (VHS for goodness’ sake!) could be a little more modern, but I’m not going for the gadgets.

Instead, I’d take a therapeutic spa treatment like one of their signature aromatherapy indulgences, or perhaps even a weeklong revitalizing program.

Though the island enjoys a temperate climate, and there is plenty of maritime history to explore in the towns and on the seas, the hotel has six restaurants to choose from for when you want a little culinary pampering. The "Edwardian" Dining Room is the most luxurious of them all, with table d’hote and a la carte menus, though the Italian Villa Cipriani, and the panoramic Les Faunes look more fun. Al fresco Brisa do Mar probably has the best views of town, but the most distinctive food experience comes at Afternoon Tea out on the Tea Terrace from 3:00-5:30pm, for which the resort is famous.

In a move away from colonial influences, though, Reid’s is highlighting its Madeiran heritage with a new series of initiatives around the resort. There are new cocktails like a "Maderini" using the local wine instead of vermouth, and new spa treatments that incorporate locally produced aloe vera balsam and Madeira grape seed oil.

Rates there start at 385 euros (approximately $575) per night for a classic double.

[Photo: Chicadelatele]