Quinta Jardins do Lago

Built in the mid-18^th century, Quinta Jardins do Lago is an elegant hotel with a rich history.

The quinta has been one of Madeira’s most-popular hotels for many years, and with good reason. It’s exquisite parquet floors, antique furniture, and period fixtures and fittings reflect a luxurious bygone era – when the quinta was the residence of Viscount William Beresford: Field-Marshall to the Duke of Wellington during the Napoleonic wars.

There are thirty-one double rooms and nine suites in total, overlooking a beautiful botanical garden, with Funchal and the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. The Viscount also lends his name to the quinta’s Beresford restaurant, which has an excellent à la carte menu showcasing the best of the island’s seasonal produce. The Colombo Bistro leads you to the outdoor pool, the sun terrace, and on into the extensive gardens – home to over five hundred species of trees, shurbs and herbaceous plants. There’s also a library, a billiards room, a sauna and a well-equipped gym.

Location-wise, it’s a short, five-minute drive from Quinta Jardins do Lago into the centre of Funchal (a free shuttle service makes the journey throughout the day). This short distance outside of the capital gives the quinta a pleasant, tranquil atmosphere where you can unwind after a day’s exploration in the city.