1905 Zino's Palace

Rooms

Pretty pastel colourways - from sage green to dusty pinks - add to the hotel's whimsical feel. They may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are true to the building's heritage, and we found it all part of the charm. Equally authentic are the brass Art Deco light fittings and sumptuous Modernist chairs, while cleverly placed retro telephones add fun pops of old school glam.

For obvious reasons, go for an ocean view room if you can (i.e. a Suite or Superior). The hotel’s high vantage point makes it a great place to sit and watch the world go by. We loved the exposed wooden beams and sea view balcony in our lofty suite; but even the cheaper attic rooms are cosy and romantic.

Whichever room you choose, you'll be well taken care of, with power showers, tea and coffee stations (featuring gorgeous, locally-made crockery), and fluffy robes. Being a subtropical island, you get the odd gloomy day, so it’s nice to have a flat screen TV on standby (though it’s very likely you won’t watch it).

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Standing in bold contrast to the ornate pink mansion, the modern glass-walled dining wing offers a huge breakfast and surprisingly excellent dinner (which is useful, as the hamlet's two other eateries are nothing to write home about).

Breakfast runs from 8am right through to 12 noon: a spoiling choice of fresh and dried fruits, yoghurts and granola, hams and cheeses, pastries and custard tartlets, and eggs made to order. It really set us up for the day. The restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, serving superb contemporary Portuguese cuisine on the terrace as the sun goes down.

There is a snack menu on offer throughout the day, including charcuterie and cheese boards, soups, salads and sarnies, or treat yourself to a genteel afternoon tea with cakes, pastries and fruit. If this isn't enough to fill up on, it's a 5-minute drive to Ponta do Sol, with its pop-up summer bars and a smattering of restaurants. Make a beeline for Steak & Sun, known for their Tomahawk, or The Old Pharmacy for wine and pinchos. A Paroquia is a beachfront eatery with a simple menu delivered to a high standard, and nice sunset views by the sea.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Perched above the southwestern coast, the hamlet of Lugar de Baixo, where the hotel is set, has dramatic ocean views, banana terraces, a pebble beach and a couple of eateries
  
• 3km away is Ponta do Sol seafront: the beach (also pebbly) is dramatic, the man-made lagoon is always warm enough for a quick dip, and there's a bit of buzz in summer
  
• There are hiking trails heading up into the mountains, past terraced vineyards to farms with cherry and chestnut groves
  
• Or, to really explore the island, ask staff about the half- and full day jeep excursions with Green Devil Safari, which took us to parts of the island well beyond the reach of a humble hire car
  
• Our highlight was exploring the mystical fog forest of Fanal, with its ancient twisted stinkwood trees and the Levada dos Cedros hike, ending at a tiered waterfall where you can swim

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Plantlife / flora
• Swimming
• Trekking

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, and staff are very welcoming, although the hotel itself is not especially well set up for families, and the terrain is steep. The small pool is heated and open all year round.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Suites can sleep 3, while most other rooms can fit a baby cot. Families of 4 will need to book two adjacent rooms; some Classic and Superiors can be set up with twin beds.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Zino's Palace is near the village of Ponta do Sol, on Madeira's south coast, about a 30-minute drive from the town of Funchal.

By Air
Funchal airport has plenty of scheduled, budget and charter flights from airports across the UK and Europe.

From the Airport
It's about 40km (40 minutes' drive) from the airport to the hotel. You can arrange airport transfers, but it probably makes more sense to hire a car so that you can explore the island more easily, as public transport is limited.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.