Columbia Hillen
Paying homage to the exotic island off the African coast on which it stands, the Savoy Palace in Madeira is awash in traditional eye-pleasing décor with sweeping views over the Atlantic and a host of diverse amenities.
Columbia Hillen
A short walk from the heart of the charming Old Town of the island’s capital, Funchal, this five-star, 309-room hotel with a staff of over 500 features a decorative bridge designed in the style of traditional Madeira embroidery; a curved construction style symbolizing ocean waves; a replica lava cone and colorful groves of more than 260 different plants, flowers, herbs and palm trees reflecting the generous bounties Mother Nature has bestowed upon this Portuguese paradise.
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If that isn’t impressive enough, the chandelier in the hotel’s main lobby, made of matte metal, falls 33 vertical feet and comprises almost four miles of chain.
Renovated over two years on the site of an older Classic Savoy built in 1912, rooms and public feature elegant interiors reflect Portugal’s ‘golden age of discovery’ with artifacts from Africa and Asia, as well as rugs and heavy chintz fabrics, all under the direction of RH+ Architects and interior designer and island native, Nini Andrade Silva. Elements of the old hotel still remain including vintage furnishings such as mirrors, wood and checkered marble floors and salmon pink walls.
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The hotel is a member of Savoy Signature, a collection that includes seven hotels all located on the island, five in Funchal and two in Calheta.
Madeira’s traditional lacework is also reflected in the central grand staircase and in bedside panels in every room, which themselves are painted in four colors: green representing Nature; blue (sea); gray (beach pebbles) and brown (soil).
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Our suite on the 16th floor was spacious, comprising bathroom, bedroom and living room, the latter containing a writing desk with reading lamp, a live, blooming orchid, dining table, settee and armchair and a large television, with contemporary art adorning the walls.
Columbia Hillen
Sliding doors separated the living room from the bedroom while a floor-to-ceiling glass panel between the bathroom and bedroom allowed an abundance of natural light to flow in to the former, which featured both shower and bathtub and Molton Brown toiletries.
Columbia Hillen
During our stay, we enjoyed a special bathing experience prepared by staff, complete with rose petals and candles. Our suite also featured a generous verandah with lounge chairs, whicker seats and a small table.
Columbia Hillen
An array of restaurants and bars, a vast spa with hydrotherapy facilities, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a game room with pool table and table tennis, a well-equipped gym and a teahouse make the Savoy Palace, opened in 2019, a bespoke getaway and the only hotel on Madeira that is a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
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Such is the sheer choice of restaurants including Pau de Lume, which opened over a year ago; the Alameda with its Mediterranean twist and the top-floor Galáxia Skyfood offering superb mountain views and a tasting menu with wine pairing I am penning a separate article specifically devoted to them.
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Among the many highlights at the Savoy is its Laurea Spa, the largest in Madeira at 33,000-square-feet, comprising a seductive wet area with baths, pools, saunas and experience showers, eleven separate treatment rooms, a champagne and nails bar and a fitness center. Inspired by Madeira’s unique type of forest named ‘Laurissilva,’ the spa’s décor is one of vivid greens and a striking floral palette with brands such as Margaret Dabbs, Linda Meredith, Sodashi, Aromatherapy Associates and Gentleman’s Tonic and Vitaman present.
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My companion and I availed of the well-honed therapeutic skills of Vanesa and Erica in an overall body massage with almond oil and anti-inflammatory creams that left us feeling as soft as tissue paper.
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Interestingly, the hotel has recently opened on the 16th floor what it terms ‘The Reserve,’ comprising 40 special rooms and described as ‘a luxurious concept within the luxury concept of a hotel.’
Central to this hospitality concept is the dedicated Guest Experience Personal Assistant (GEPA), available around the clock. Once booking is confirmed, guests are connected with a GEPA via email and WhatsApp who then tailor the hotel stay to the guests’ specific requests prior to arrival. Among other extras, guests at The Reserve access a private elevator that takes them from the lobby to the Jacarandá Lounge & Club on the 16th floor and an exclusive rooftop pool with panoramic views over Funchal.
Staff welcoming guests at Jacaranda Lounge & Club. Photo by Columbia Hillen
Having the opportunity to sample this concept onsite before the official opening, my companion and I enjoyed terrific service from staff members Irene Gonçalves, Ana Carreiro, Zita Alves, Joao Pedro Henriques, Petra Caetano and Milagogros Freitas, so much so I felt positively Regal.
As for events, such is the capacity of the hotel, it can host almost 700 people for cocktail receptions in its ballrooms and more than 300 for banquets, not to mention its various meeting rooms.
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Referring to its illustrious history, UK based writer and broadcaster, Sheldon James, who has visited Madeira since he was a child, said, “From its early inception in 1918, the Savoy has been prominent on Funchal’s skyline. As tourism grew on Madeira, so did the Savoy, catering for the islands more discerning visitors. Thanks to its enviable location, large ballroom, fine-dining and reputation, it has always been first choice to host Madeira’s leading social events, where Presidents, Prime Ministers and Royalty would, and continue, to gather. The Savoy Palace is the latest chapter of the hotel’s history, casting a thankful nod to the past and a welcoming embrace to future guests.”
