The Cliff Bay
madeira, portugal · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
The Cliff Bay is the dining-led 5-star in Funchal — a 200-key clifftop hotel by Portuguese group PortoBay perched on the same cliff line as Reid's, with the island's only two-Michelin-star restaurant (Il Gallo d'Oro, chef Benoît Sinthon) and a far more contemporary aesthetic than its 1891 neighbour. Opened in 1994 and continuously updated, the property has the second-best clifftop position in Funchal, two pools (one heated indoor, one outdoor with sea-platform access), and a 2,000 sqm spa with thalassotherapy. For couples for whom dining is the centerpiece of a honeymoon, Il Gallo d'Oro alone justifies the trip — the chef's tasting menu draws on Madeira garden produce, the deep-Atlantic fish, and the regional cured tuna. Service is impeccable, the cliffside lawn at sunset is one of Funchal's great honeymoon moments, and the price point sits below Reid's and slightly below the Savoy for similar 5-star quality. Couples wanting the heritage romance of Reid's but the contemporary 5-star operation will find The Cliff Bay the strongest pragmatic choice in Funchal.
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
90/100
Book Your Stay
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At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
The Premium Ocean View Suites on the higher floors are the honeymoon signature — corner suites with floor-to-ceiling glass on two sides, separate sitting room, and a private balcony with full Atlantic and cliffside view. For maximum splurge the Vista Mar Royal Suite is the corner penthouse with two terraces and the largest bathroom in the hotel. The standard Premium Ocean View room at roughly $450-550 in shoulder season is the value-honeymoon choice — large bathroom, balcony, full sea view.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $990/nt) | $6,930 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $10,395 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $300 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $1,386 |
| Total estimated | $21,711 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Arrival & Il Gallo d'Oro
Fly into FNC, 25-minute transfer to The Cliff Bay. Settle in, walk the cliffside lawn at sunset, cocktails on the Blue Lagoon terrace. First-night dinner at Il Gallo d'Oro — Madeira's two-Michelin-star restaurant — the chef's surprise tasting menu is the honeymoon-defining experience and should be reserved before arrival.
Funchal Old Town Walking Day
Walk ten minutes east along the cliff path and Frente Mar into Funchal old town. Mercado dos Lavradores in the morning, lunch at Restaurante O Tasco for espetada and bolo do caco. Afternoon: Blandy's Wine Lodge tasting, Sé Cathedral, Rua de Santa Maria street-art alley. Return to The Cliff Bay for sunset cocktails on the cliffside lawn.
Pico do Arieiro Sunrise
Pre-dawn 90-minute drive to Pico do Arieiro (1,818m) for the cloud-sea sunrise — Madeira's most photographed view. Walk the first stretch of the PR1 ridge trail. Breakfast on the way back at Quinta do Furão in Santana with the traditional thatched palheiro houses. Afternoon spa treatment at the Cliff Bay spa, sunset on the cliffside lawn.
Levada das 25 Fontes
Drive 90 minutes west to Rabaçal for the classic three-hour Levada das 25 Fontes walk through the UNESCO laurel forest. Closed hiking shoes essential. Lunch at Pastelaria Encumeada on the drive back. Evening: a more casual second Cliff Bay dinner at The Rose Garden poolside restaurant.
Câmara de Lobos & Cabo Girão
15-minute drive to Câmara de Lobos, the Churchill-painted fishing village. Lunch at Vila do Peixe for scabbard fish. Continue to Cabo Girão for the 580m glass skywalk. Return for an afternoon swim, the indoor thalassotherapy pool, and a sunset cocktail on the cliffside before a casual dinner at the hotel's Atlántico restaurant.
Boat Day & Old Funchal
Morning catamaran from Funchal Marina for whale and dolphin watching. Lunch at Armazém do Sal in the marina. Afternoon: walk Funchal old town's Zona Velha — the street-art alleys, small wine bars, the cable car up to Monte Palace Tropical Garden. Sunset back at The Cliff Bay, dinner at the Italian Il Basílico on the lawn.
Spa Morning & Departure
Final morning in the spa with a 90-minute couples' treatment, a slow breakfast on the suite balcony. FNC is 25 minutes east. The hotel arranges all transfers. Buffer a day for FNC crosswind risk before important onward connections.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The Cliff Bay's clifftop position is dramatic but sea access is via a small platform with elevator and a pool — there is no sand beach (true of all Funchal hotels).
Il Gallo d'Oro should be reserved 1-2 months ahead — it has only 12 tables and is the island's only two-Michelin-star table.
The hotel hosts conferences and wedding groups occasionally — couples wanting absolute boutique scale should consider Quinta da Casa Branca.
FNC crosswind risk applies.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon inquiry — The Cliff Bay Dear Cliff Bay reservations team, We are planning our honeymoon [DATE]-[DATE] and are interested in a Premium Ocean View Suite (or Vista Mar Royal Suite). Please advise on availability, honeymoon packages, an Il Gallo d'Oro tasting menu reservation, and couples' spa treatments. Thank you, [Your names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Good for honeymooners?
The Cliff Bay is among the most dining-forward honeymoon hotels in Portugal — Il Gallo d'Oro alone places it on the Iberian fine-dining map, and the clifftop sunset position, contemporary 5-star service, and walkable Funchal location make this a strong honeymoon choice.
Best time to visit?
April through October is warmest and sunniest. May for the flower festival. June-September warmest for the pool platform. Winter is mild and quiet with lower rates — ideal for hiking and dining honeymoons.
Book in advance?
Premium Ocean View Suites book 3-4 months ahead for April-October peak. Il Gallo d'Oro should be reserved 1-2 months ahead — only 12 tables. Honeymoon packages include a sparkling welcome, a spa treatment, and a discounted Il Gallo d'Oro tasting menu.
Adults-only?
The Cliff Bay welcomes families but the formal dining, the cliff terrace, and the spa focus skew the guest mix adult. There is a small kids' club but most honeymoon couples will not notice it.
Best room type?
A Premium Ocean View Suite on a higher floor is the canonical Cliff Bay honeymoon — full sea view, separate sitting room, balcony. The Vista Mar Royal Suite is the maximum-splurge corner penthouse.
How to get there?
FNC is 25 minutes east of The Cliff Bay. Direct flights from London, Lisbon, Frankfurt, Paris, Manchester. The hotel arranges transfers. FNC crosswind risk — buffer a day at end of trip.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
