Sovereign logo
icon
Book Online
Book your next escape fast on our website. Learn More
24/7 Concierge
We're on hand around the clock, before and during your holiday with us. Learn More
experience
50 Years' Experience
Celebrating 50 years of Sovereign Luxury Travel. Learn More
Feefo-Platinum-2024-Landscape-Colour-CMYK-300317-edit
See what our guests have said about their Sovereign experience. Learn More
icon
Book Online
Book your next escape fast on our website. Learn More
24/7 Concierge
We're on hand around the clock, before and during your holiday with us. Learn More
experience
50 Years' Experience
Celebrating 50 years of Sovereign Luxury Travel. Learn More
Feefo-Platinum-2024-Landscape-Colour-CMYK-300317-edit
See what our guests have said about their Sovereign experience. Learn More

The Cliff Bay

Madeira, Funchal

  1. Home
  2. Luxury Holiday Destinations
  3. Portugal
  4. Madeira
  5. Funchal
  6. The Cliff Bay
Tripadvisor rating Based on 5948 traveller reviews
Thumb image 96% of travellers recommended this hotel
Spa Good for Couples Family Suites

  • Perched on a clifftop in one of Madeira’s most beautiful locations
  • Home to Madeira’s only two Michelin star restaurant
  • Classic and cosy sea view rooms and suites
  • Enjoy direct access to the sea from the luxury hotel

Portugal’s Madeira has been topping travellers’ wishlists for years. And we’re not surprised - the island has been repeatedly voted as Europe’s and even the world’s best island destination many times over. Flanked by dramatic cliffs, fertile mountains and sun-soaked beaches, Madeira is a lush, colourful island of plants, paradise and Portuguese-flavoured pleasures. 


This beautiful island is the ideal setting for five-star The Cliff Bay Hotel. Standing high on a peninsula and overlooking the Bay of Funchal, the hotel embodies luxury from tip to toe. Guests here should expect only the very best. This begins as soon as you arrive - check in comes with a complimentary glass of champagne and your bags are whisked away to your room before you even notice. Sounds too good to be true? It’s not, it’s just par for the course at The Cliff Bay.


The hotel is the epitome of elegance both inside and out. Vast, pretty flower-filled gardens are completed by three swimming pools, all of which have expansive, soul-stirring views. The excellence continues throughout the resort, via the soothing spa and continues all the way to your plate. The Cliff Bay is the only hotel on the island to host a two Michelin star restaurant, so do not miss out on a rare chance to dine at Madeira’s most gastronomic venue.

Facilities

Bars & Restaurants

The jewel in The Cliff Bay’s crown is undoubtedly Il Gallo d'Oro, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, where food is flamboyantly paired with wines from the island or mainland. If you prefer a more laid back meal, then there is a wealth of choice from pool bars to taking afternoon tea in the lovely gardens.

Blue Lagoon

Take in the fresh sea air on the terrace beside the main swimming pool as you enjoy barbecue dishes, light bites and salads from the a la carte menu. 

Open: 10:30 – 18:00

Le Cliff Bar and Bistro

Open from morning until the late evening, Le Cliff Bar and Bistro allows guests to socialise with a morning coffee or enjoy lunch in the bar or on the terrace in a relaxed and inviting setting. Afternoon tea is also  on offer and live music is available daily. 

Open: 10:30 – 23:00

Il Gallo D'Oro

Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner at the only two Michelin star restaurant in Madeira. Sample aromatic Iberian and Mediterranean dishes with a twist using fresh ingredients from the island, in a sophisticated and intimate dining area.

Open: 19:00 – 22:00 Tuesday to Saturday

Gentlemen must wear jacket and tie. No shorts or denim are allowed. Reservations are required.

The Rose Garden

Sample a variety of inspiring international cuisine at The Rose Garden. Enjoy al fresco dining on the terrace overlooking the sea and gardens and taste a la carte and buffet dishes, including seafood, Italian, Portuguese and Mediterranean specialities. 

Open: 07:00 – 10:30 and 19:00 – 22:00

No shorts or flip flops are allowed. Reservations are required. Meals at this restaurant are available for Bed & Breakfast, Half Board and Full Board guests. 

Navigator's Lounge

Sit with a good book and enjoy stunning sea views in the relaxed, comfortable and tranquil lounge area.

Open: 10:30 – 00:30

Cactus Bar

Recharge after a swim in the pool or a visit to the spa, with a refreshing juice or light meal beside the indoor pool.

Open: 10:30 – 18:00

Avista Restaurant

At the Avista restaurant you can experience different culinary experiences that show off the best in Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. Choose between the Josper grill menu, Asian dishes, snacks and pastries.

Open: 07:30 – 21:30

Beach & Pools

Dive into the refreshing waters of the Atlantic directly from the hotel’s pontoon. Or maybe you’d prefer to cool off in one of the hotel’s gorgeous pools - with three pools nettles in the grounds (including a kids only one), you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Swimming Pools

Choose from an outdoor and indoor seawater swimming pool, both of which are located at sea level, or enjoy the Jacuzzi and solarium.

Sea Access

Guests at the Cliff Bay can enjoy direct access to the sea via the bathing platform, or simply soak up the sun and enjoy the view.

Spa & Wellness

A beautiful spa stocked with ESPA products provides a peaceful setting that will soothe both body and mind. Personalised treatments given by expertly trained therapists will elevate your luxury holiday to heady new heights.

Spa

Guests can enjoy eight treatment rooms, a wellness area and beauty salon, in addition to a fitness room and hairdressers. It’s an oasis of calm and pampering essential for holiday time. A Jacuzzi, hydrobath, sauna and Turkish bath await as you select from massages, body wraps and facials.

Open: 09:00 - 19:30 

Children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.

Activities & Entertainment

With a diving centre, daily live music, a playroom for younger children, a kids room for the older ones, a games room, a library, a golf putting green plus babysitting, the only choice you need to make is how much or little you want to do.

Tennis Court and Sports

Guests can visit the tennis courts in the sub-tropical gardens to perfect their skills, or check out table tennis and billiards.

Children’s Playground

Younger guests can have their own fun in the sun while enjoying playing on the swings and slides in their own private play area.

About the location

Madeira may be best known for its eponymous wine as well as its year-round sunshine, but Funchal is surely the jewel in the island’s crown. This lovely, low key capital is bathed in history dating back to the 15th century, and one stroll through the city’s cobbled streets will fill you with a sense of the island’s past. Meander along Rua de Santa Maria (the city's oldest street), to see the doors that have been vividly painted by local artists to get a true sense of Funchal’s depth of passion and creativity. 


Once you have had your fill of the fascinating museums as well as wandered through the blossoming parks and gardens  - the city is known for them - make your way to Zona Velha, an old fishermen’s neighbourhood that until recently was a rundown and almost lifeless area. Today, the area has been gentrified and is one of the trendiest spots in town. This is where you’ll find independent bars, galleries, shops and restaurants as well as the vibrant market Mercado dos Lavradores, where you can buy all of Madeira's specialities. Zona Velha is a hive of activity, noise, colour and high energy, and is without a doubt the place to be when night falls. 


The city itself is fringed by gorgeous pebbly beaches and the dramatic Cap Girao - an imposing red cliff that descends into the soapy blue seas below. Take a cable car up to its top and drink in some of the most spectacular views to be had in all of Portugal.

Transfer time

The Cliff Bay is 30 minutes from Funchal Airport.
Cliff-Bay-2023-Side-Sea-View-Room-001-100588-Hybris
Twin Side Sea View

Max 3 adults

Twin Rooms are elegantly decorated and offer a seating area and queen sized beds. The rooms also offer a balcony with table and chairs and has side sea views and the en-suite bathrooms are supplied with Rituals® products and feature a separate bathtub and shower.

30 - 36m²

Facilities
Room Service
Tea and coffee facilities
Minibar
Bath
Air conditioning
WiFi
TV
Pillow Menu
Separate shower
Cliff-Bay-2023-Sea-View-Room-001-100588-Hybris
Twin Sea View

Max 3 adults

Twin Rooms are elegantly decorated and offer a seating area and queen sized beds. The rooms also offer a balcony with table and chairs and has full views of the magnificent sea and the en-suite bathrooms are supplied with Rituals® products and feature a separate bathtub and shower.

30 - 36m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Funchal-Bay-View-Room-001-100588-Hybris
Twin Funchal Bay View

Max 3 adults

Twin Rooms are elegantly decorated and offer a seating area and queen sized beds. The rooms also offer a balcony with table and chairs and has views of the sea and Funchal. The en-suite bathrooms are supplied with Rituals® products and feature a separate bathtub and shower.

30 - 36m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Upper-Floors-Sea-View-001-100588-Hybris
Upper Floors Sea View

Max 3 adults

Upper Floors Sea View rooms are modern in design and offer a balcony with table and chairs. Guests receive fresh fruit, wine and flowers on arrival and also have exclusive access to the Il Gallo D'Oro restaurant for the à la carte breakfast. The en-suite bathrooms are supplied with ESPA products and feature a separate bathtub and shower. This room has views of the sea and has a minibar offering complimentary water, juices and soft drinks.

Rooms are located on floors 6 -9 of the hotel.

30 - 36m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Upper-Floors-Funchal-Bay-View-001-100588-Hybris
Upper Floors Funchal Bay View

Max 3 adults

Upper Floors Funchal Bay View Rooms are modern in design and offer a balcony with table and chairs. Guests receive fresh fruit, wine and flowers on arrival and also have exclusive access to the Il Gallo D'Oro restaurant for the à la carte breakfast. The en-suite bathrooms are supplied with ESPA products and feature a separate bathtub and shower. This room has views over the bay of Funchal and has a minibar offering complimentary water, juices and soft drinks.

Rooms are located between floors 6 -9 of the hotel.

30 - 36m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Junior-Suite-001-100588-Hybris
Junior Suite Sea View

Max 3 adults

Junior Suites Sea View are perfect for relaxation, offering queen sized beds, a separate living area and a private balcony with table and chairs. Guests will receive fresh fruit, wine and flowers on arrival and have exclusive access to the Il Gallo D'Oro restaurant for the à la carte breakfast. The room also has a minibar offering complimentary water, juices and soft drinks. The marble bathroom has a separate bathtub and shower and offers ESPA products.

40m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Executive-Suite-Sea-View-001-100588-Hybris
Executive Suite Sea View

Max 2 adults, 1 child

The Executive Suites offers the ultimate in luxury with guests being treated to a separate bedroom with two queen sized beds, an en-suite bathroom with a hydro-massage bathtub and ESPA products. The suite has a guest bathroom and a separate living room with sofas and dining table and chairs. The Suite also enjoys a balcony with table and chairs, a minibar offering complimentary water, juices and soft drinks and fresh fruit, wine and flowers on arrival. Guests can also enjoy exclusive access to the Il Gallo D'Oro restaurant for the à la carte breakfast.

68m²

Facilities
Cliff-Bay-2023-Family-Room-001-100588-Hybris
Family Sea View Room

Max 4 adults

Family Sea View Rooms are elegantly decorated and offer a seating area and two king sized beds. The rooms also offer a veranda with table and chairs and the en-suite bathrooms are supplied with Rituals® products and feature a separate bathtub and shower.

42m²

Facilities

Early booking discount

Summer 2022 

Save up to 12.5% on the hotel price for holidays between 01 May - 31 October 2022, booked by 31 January 2022.

Sovereign plus

Sovereign guests receive 1 bottle of house wine in their room on arrival and a complimentary continental breakfast in bed for two.

Bed and Breakfast
Guests can enjoy a delicious continental buffet and cooked breakfast options. Breakfast is taken in The Rose Garden buffet restaurant.
Half Board
Breakfast is served as a buffet. For dinner, guests will receive a three course set menu. Please note, drinks are not included. Breakfast and Dinner will be served at The Rose Garden Restaurant.
Full Board

Breakfast is served as a buffet. For lunch and dinner, guests will receive a three course set menu. Please note, drinks are not included. Breakfast and Dinner will be served at The Rose Garden Restaurant, whilst Lunch is served at The Blue Lagoon Restaurant. 

Tripadvisor logo
Tripadvisor rating Based on 5948 traveller reviews
Thumb image 96% of travellers recommended this hotel
Travellers Ratings
Excellent
Rating image   5128
Very Good
Rating image   648
Average
Rating image   136
Poor
Rating image   22
Terrible
Rating image   15
What to expect
Location
Tripadvisor rating
Sleep Quality
Tripadvisor rating
Rooms
Tripadvisor rating
Service
Tripadvisor rating
Value
Tripadvisor rating
Cleanliness
Tripadvisor rating
Reviews
“

Impossible to fault this hotel and the staff

gw132015, Wakefield, United Kingdom

Tripadvisor review Nov 19 2024
Our stay at The Cliff Bay was our first visit to Madeira and we sincerely hope it will not be our last. The location is outstanding - a 30 minute walk into Funchal but only 10 minutes on the regular...
View full review
“

Super hotel

jo2warrick, Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Tripadvisor review Nov 19 2024
Loved every minute of my stay and have already booked for next year. Food and service really good and why would I want to stay anywhere else.
View full review
View more reviews
Call us on 01293 762400
Book Online
Request A Quote
Feefo review image

What our guests think

We've been finding people their own slice of paradise for 50 years, and like to think we're pretty good at it. 
Don't just take our word for it, though - see what our customers have said about their Sovereign experience..

Read guests reviews...