Quinta Jardins do Lago is the middle ground between a boutique retreat and a resort. It occupies a historic quinta in the São Martinho district, the quiet residential hills west of Funchal’s centre, and its main attraction is the garden. Palms, flowering shrubs, ponds and winding paths surround the main house and the guest buildings, so that a stay feels closer to a private estate than a city hotel. It is a calm base for travellers who want greenery and a swimming pool at the end of the day, and who are happy to use taxis, buses and tours for sightseeing.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the São Martinho area, uphill from the Lido and the hotel zone along the Estrada Monumental. The seafront promenade, swimming complexes and restaurants are a pleasant walk downhill, while the walk back is steep, so many guests take a taxi in the evening. The old town and the cable car station are a short taxi ride away, and the airport is about twenty minutes by car. If you plan to hire a car, ask about parking when you book.
The rooms
Rooms and suites are comfortable and traditional, with views over the garden, pool or sea depending on the category. Some open onto terraces and balconies, and the garden-facing rooms are the most peaceful. The style leans towards classic rather than ultra-modern, and the emphasis is on space and calm. Breakfast is served in a bright room or on the terrace, and the hotel has a restaurant and a bar. As always on a hillside, the higher rooms offer the better views, so ask for the view you want.
Who it suits
Couples, garden lovers and travellers who like an unhurried stay, with time between excursions to read by the pool. It is also a good value way to get a green, estate-style setting without the price of the island’s grandest hotels. Families can be comfortable here, but the atmosphere is quiet and there is no big entertainment programme, so it suits children who are happy playing in a pool and a garden.
Good to know
The gardens and the pool are the highlights, so schedule a free afternoon to use them. Because the hotel is on a slope, guests with limited mobility should ask about room locations and access. Check which meals and services are included in your rate, and ask whether the pool is heated in cooler months. For an evening out, the old town’s restaurants are a short taxi ride, and the seafront has plenty of casual dining within walking distance.
Why stay here
- ✓Tropical garden grounds
- ✓Lake and ponds
- ✓Outdoor swimming pool
- ✓Garden-view rooms
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Breakfast terrace
- ✓Walk to the Lido and seafront
- ✓Quiet residential hillside
Good questions
Where is Quinta Jardins do Lago?+
It is in the São Martinho district in the hills west of central Funchal, above the Lido and the hotel zone.
Can you walk to the seafront from Quinta Jardins do Lago?+
Yes, the promenade and the Lido are downhill from the hotel. The walk back is steep, so many guests take a taxi in the evening.
Is Quinta Jardins do Lago good for couples?+
Yes. The gardens, the pool and the quiet setting make it a relaxing choice for couples and for travellers who like a calm base.
