The newest luxury (boutique) hotel on the flower island off the western African coast:

My last post was about the oldest luxury hotel in Madeira, now it is about the latest one, Les Suites at The Cliff Bay. As the name suggests, it is not entirely independent from another hotel, The Cliff Bay. Yet this brings only benefits. Les Suites at The Cliff Bay features almost all the facilities of a typical five-star, despite being boutique. And in addition, you can also use the ones from the mother property. In this regard, its direct sea access is the most important one. All taken together, I think it is the ideal place for staying and dining in style in Madeira!

Before diving into the details about this hotel, here an overview about my other posts on this island in the Atlantic Ocean. I started with all the necessary travel information before listing all the (truly) luxury hotels in Madeira. Then – as mentioned – I looked into the oldest and most traditional resort here, the Reid’s Palace. And my next (and last) post will be about the (Michelin) fine dining scene in Funchal, the island’s capital.

Location of Les Suites at the Cliff Bay Madeira

In case you should have read my post about the Reid’s Palace, Les Suites at The Cliff Bay is just next door of it. And the location is comparable, maybe a tiny little bit less favorable. This is due to the Reid’s better panorama view. But basically, both enjoy the same privileged seafront situation on cliff tops west of Funchal’s core (25 minutes by foot).

History of The Cliff Bay, the mother hotel

Of course Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira has no history to speak of, as it is newly opened (October 2019). But the one of its mother is worth going into, albeit it does not go that back.

The Blandy family, who is one of the groups behind The Cliff Bay, was the former owner of the Reid’s Palace. When Madeira’s grand old dame ran into financial difficulties in 1937, The Blandys took over. They had been the Reid’s proprietor for almost 60 years, before they sold it to the Orient-Express Hotels in 1996. Two years before, they had already opened The Cliff Bay, “the grand young dame”, a tough competitor for the Reid’s.

The Cliff Bay was supposed to challenge the Reid’s Palace as leading luxury hotel on the island. From what I read, it was quite successful in this respect. Although its exteriors reflect the spirits of the 90s, it has immaculate facilities. In 2021, the hotel was refurbished. That included the rooms, reception and the signature restaurant, the two-star Michelin Il Gallo D’Oro. Almost all its 200 rooms face the Atlantic and have both a bath tub and a separate shower. And they feature luxurious furnishings, wood paneling and marble bathrooms.

About the PortoBay Hotels & Resorts

The Cliff Bay and it new addition, Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira, are part of the PortoBay Hotels & Resorts group, which flagship establishment it is. This hotel association has its origins in Madeira. Two local parties control it, the mentioned Blandy family and Ocean Islands. While the former owns the famous Madeira wine company of the same name, the latter is an unknown entity – I did not find anything on the Internet about them.

The hotel group was founded in 2000 and comprises of 15 hotels in Portugal and Brazil. PortoBay Hotels & Resorts offers a competitve customer loyalty program, which has apparently generated 30,000 repeat guests so far. I have checked it out and I am very tempted to make use of it, too.

Ambiance at Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira

I was very impressed by the successful interplay between old and new at Les Suites at The Cliff Bay. Two century-old buildings and a modern new wing come together in perfect harmony. And I liked the ambiance at the hotel exuding understated luxury rather than flaunting wealth.

Les Suites at the Cliff Bay’s contemporary appearance goes side by side with the general atmosphere onsite. This is reflected in the reception area with its uncomplicated approach. The same is true for the trendy restaurant with its relaxed feel. And the lounges are hip, you could encounter them also in places such as Ibiza. Nonetheless, the hotel does not only cater for younger guests. I would think that there is a mixed-age clientele.

Staff/Service

When checking-in at Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira, I was in a somewhat special state. I did this alone as my husband was at a local hospital (he had suffered a medical emergency at our previous hotel in Funchal). Soon after checking into my room, I got a call from customer relations. They let me know that I would get a reduction on the room rate as long as my husband could not join me. Two or three days later, they called again and asked how my husband was doing.

Also the reception staff asked about my husband’s state of health, again and again. There was one lady in particular who showed great sympathy and empathy, which was much appreciated by me.

Service at the restaurant (Avista, see below) was friendly, attentive and smooth. It was provided in the same relaxed manner that we experienced throughout the hotel.

Rooms/Pricing at Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira

As the name says it, there are only suites here, precisely 23 of them, all with sea views. They are modern, spacious and well-appointed. Not only do they have a free minibar with soft drinks, but also a wet bar with coffee machine and microwave (on request). The rooms feature greek marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, large bath tubs and double sinks. On arrival, you are treated with a bottle of wine and fruits – the latter are replenished throughout your stay.

In terms of room categories there are five to choose from. All accommodations except two are in the new modern wing.

1. Suites

There are 6 Suites (60 sqm & 17 sqm balcony, rates from 425 €)), which are located on the second floor. There is a bedroom as well as a large living-room.

2. Suites with Garden

You find here 9 Suites with Garden (60 sqm & 17 sqm patio, rates from 475 €). They are equal to the Suites above, yet on the first floor with a small private garden featuring two sun loungers.

On the second part of our stay – we had to extend it because of my husband’s medical emergency – , we had one of those (priced at 5oo € per day with breakfast, half board 84 € for two persons). It was a great choice with lots of indoor and outdoor space.

It was only a pity, that the outdoor furniture was drenched every morning due to a faulty law sprinkler.

3. Suites Duplex

Les Suites at The Cliff Bay Madeira offers 6 Suites Duplex (66 sqm & 15 sqm, rates from 425 €), which are on the second and third floor. On the lower floor, there is a spacious living-room

with a bathroom including a shower

and the larger of two balconies.

Your own private elevator (or the stairways)

brings you to the upper floor with a sizable bedroom,

a generous bathroom (with bath tub and shower)

and a small balcony.

This was the room category we had booked for our stay here (at a daily rate of 500 €) – and where I resided on my own due to my husband’s being at the hospital. I was much in favor of it because of the expansive space situation – far too much for one person yet pleasant anyway. A slight drawback might be the fact that you have to be quite organized in here, otherwise you have to walk up and down the stairs quite often. If you travel with one kid, this is your preferred choice!

4. Artistic Suite

There is one Artistic Suite (63 sqm & 16 sqm balcony, rates from 400 €), located at one of the historic buildings. It has an open-plan layout with a freestanding bath tub right behind the bed. An enclosed bathroom is part of the room as well, coming with a shower.