Elite Traveler Spring 2020

artistic, star-inspired ambience. Expect farm- and sea-to-table, locally inspired dishes with a contemporary spin. Its adjacent Skybar serves gastronomic cocktails spun from unexpected combinations. The more casual Alameda borders the main pool and beckons sunbathers to drop in for wood-fired pizza, grilled meats and first-class seafood. Wake up early for breakfast at stylish Orchidaceae Atelier, and don’t miss the festive afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge Bar. EXPLORE Madeira, part of Portugal but autonomously governed, lies closer to Morocco than Europe. Charmingly frozen in time, it evokes traits of a bygone Europe. Its strong seafaring and wine-making culture, dramatic landscape, welcoming populace and adherence to festive traditions (try the indigenous spirit poncha , or join the locals for a unique New Year’s Eve) lend it a storybook magic, an otherness strengthened by its isolated setting in the remote Atlantic. Composed of countless cliffs and rocky precipices, the mostly undeveloped paradise boasts diverse ecosystems including a cloud forest, one of just a few in the world. Some have called this island the Hawaii of the Atlantic for its flora, fauna and geological composition. Hiking, sea adventures (from whale watching to sailing), riotous sunsets and wine tasting (the island is revered for its sweet, fortified wine) compose just some of the requisite activities. Don’t miss a hike along Levada Dos 25 Fontes to the waterfall, sunrise on Pico do Arieiro, a mad hatter’s ride downhill on historical wicker toboggans or a visit to Old Town (eat limpets and drink the potent poncha ), and be sure to taste delicious local wine at Blandy’s Wine Lodge. by Becca Hensley Presidential Suite from $5,000 per night.

Clockwise from left The elegant Presidential Suite; the palm-fringed pool; Laurea Spa

flourishes. Numerous pools, two on dueling rooftops, refer to the sea; and the gardens recall the verdant hinterlands. Most awe-inspiring, the 33,000-sq-ft Laurea Spa, one of the biggest wellness sanctums in Europe, plays out as an artsy metaphor for the Unesco World Heritage-listed Laurisilva Forest. With tunnels, caves and myriad water features, the haven stands out as a harmonious retreat. DINE As the social center of Funchal and as a hotel splendid enough to persuade guests to repeatedly dine on property, Savoy Palace strives to offer variety in its dining venues. Galáxia, a rooftop restaurant with otherworldly decor, achieves cuisine worthy of its

the Savoy Classic, which was built in 1912. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, the Savoy Palace incorporates scores of historically glamorous elements, from gold-framed vintage mirrors to Vermeer-esque, black-and-white checkerboard floors and pink boudoir walls. At the same time, Silva’s eye-popping creations conceptualize the hotel as a reborn classic, fearlessly trumpeting Madeira’s exceptional attributes. Throughout, voluptuously suggestive plant shapes abound as flower light fixtures, etched ceilings, curved custom furniture and art installations. Lacework, a centuries-old island talent, gets a nod in filigree-shaped stairwell details, among blinds and within bedside panels. The island’s basket-making and wine industries, too, show up in woven textures and corkwork

Contact Cristina Mata, VIP manager, cristina.mata@savoysignature.com, +351 291 213 000, savoysignature.com

Photos Henrique Seruca