Everything you need to know before booking, including rooms, pools, restaurants, location, prices and whether I’d stay here again.
If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Madeira that combines spectacular scenery with easy access to some of the island’s best hikes and adventures, Saccharum Resort Madeira might just be the perfect choice. We stayed here during our Madeira road trip and, while I’d happily spend days lounging beside the infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic, what impressed me most was how brilliantly positioned it was for exploring Madeira’s incredible west coast.
It will remain one of my all time favourite hotel stays for its one of a kind architecture, epic hillside plus ocean views from infinity pool as well as its great choice of boho style bars and restaurants (not to mention a gorgeous spa facility).
Some links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission but at no extra cost to you. This is my way to keep my travel project going and keeping content free for you to access.
Summary of my Saccharum Resort Madeira Review
| Good For | Couples, Honeymoon, Relaxation |
| Location | Calheta |
| Star Rating | 5★ |
| Pools | Multiple outdoor & indoor |
| Spa | Yes |
| Restaurants | Several |
| Parking | Free |
| Price | £££ |
From the moment you arrive, Saccharum feels effortlessly stylish. Built into the dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, Saccharum Resort Calheta blends contemporary architecture with subtle nods to Madeira’s sugar cane heritage (hence the name “Saccharum”). Think natural stone, warm wood, calming neutral tones and enormous windows that somehow make the ocean feel even closer.
Inside, the architecture is just as cool. My husband kept saying it looked like something straight out of Dune—all dramatic concrete lines, warm natural textures and impossibly cinematic views. I have to admit…he wasn’t wrong.
The rooftop infinity pool was where we kept gravitating back to after long days hiking around Madeira. Watching the sun disappear into the Atlantic with a cocktail in hand was pretty hard to beat.
Book Your Stay at Saccharum Resort Madeira
Looking to book? I recommend checking prices early, particularly if you’re travelling during spring or summer when rooms with ocean views tend to sell out quickly.
✓ Check today’s prices on Klook
✓ Compare room types
✓ Free cancellation available on many rooms
Planning to explore the island too? I’d also recommend booking your Madeira car hire in advance—we found Klook consistently offered some of the best prices.
Location of Saccharum Resort Madeira
Aside from its stunning setting and one of a kind architecture, one of the top reasons I’d recommend Saccharum is its location. Many visitors automatically book hotels around Funchal, but staying in Calheta puts you much closer to some of Madeira’s most spectacular scenery. Yes, you’ll need a car to get to most of these locations, but you are in much easier reach of Madeira’s top attractions. Eg, within an hours drive you have:
✓ 25 Fontes Levada Walk
✓ Fanal Forest
✓ Porto Moniz Natural Pools
✓ Seixal Beach
✓ Ponta do Pargo Lighthouse
✓ Whale Watching
✓ Cabo Girão Skywalk
Read my full Madeira Travel Guide for a detailed review of the best attractions and what not to miss in Madeira
Side Note: we booked our Car Hire through Klook who had access to some great deals!
And it’s not just about accessibility to other destinations, Calheta is a destination in its own right with Calheta beach at the foot of Saccharum Resort Madeira, plus as I’ve already mentioned (because I can’t emphasise it enough), the scenery surrounding the hotel is jaw dropping. I loved that it was out of the bustle of the main towns and cities but within close proximity to most of the hikes and other attractions we wanted to visit.
Bonus: as I mention in my full Madeira Guide, we also found the weather on our side of the island to be generally better than other locations we visited on the island (we visited in March)
Rooms in the Saccharum Resort Madeira
Another fantastic perk of Saccharum Resort Madeira is the wonderfully spacious rooms which continue with the sugar cane themed style. If you are used to New York hotel rooms, you will get a pleasant surprise at how big a double room is with ample storage space and a chic bathroom to match (the spectacularly big shower got an extra shout out from my husband and I).
I always judge whether I’m in a good hotel:
- Does it provide dressing gowns?
- How good are the dressing gowns?
I’m pleased to report Saccharum Resort Calheta scored highly on both counts.
Second to that is the comfort of the bed. I’m an extra soft mattress kind of person and whilst this wasn’t the softest…it passed the test.
We didn’t exactly luck out with views from our room BUT it’s probably the nicest car park view I’ve experienced with lots of tropical flowers and a glimpse of the ocean.
If you want to go all out, you are able to book the SPE Pool Room and not only will you have the best views out over the ocean, you’ll have your own swimming pool on your balcony. If that isn’t enough, you’ll have a separate living room with sofa bed, in addition to the bedroom with an extra large bed.
Pools & Spa in the Saccharum Resort Madeira
Location aside, this was the winning feature of the Saccharum Resort Calheta for me. There are five different pools to choose from, meaning you never really feel crowded—even during warmer months. 3 epic outdoor pools and 1 indoor for those cooler days (plus the Spa pool, also indoors). Of course if you opt for a private pool room, you’ll have access to a pool 24/7 during your stay!
Our favourite, the infinity pool facing out to the ocean with dramatic green mountains on either side of us (which was always surprisingly quiet…although we were visiting in March when I imagine it’s less busy). I put this in my top 5 hotel pools of all time, purely for the one of a kind backdrop view.
After a morning of hiking, where better to spend your time than in the Saccharum spa where the ethos is rooted around inner nature and balance. I happily visited the Spa multiple times during our stay which is equipped with a beautiful indoor pool opening out to a private wild flower garden. Hot tub, steam room & sauna are also all on offer, all of which get a big thumbs up from me.
I highly recommend treating yourself to a treatment…my full body massage was out of this world! I’m feeling calm just thinking about it.
Health & Fitness at the Saccharum Resort Madeira
If you are into your fitness, the gym (and its views) won’t disappoint (as testified by my husband) plus Saccharum Resort Savoy Collection offers some amazing activities to keep you active (and zen).
Sunday morning Meditation on the beach or outdoor Hafa Yoga were the highlights for me (as someone who is a little less cardio, more minimal movement with maximum relaxation).
If the hiking you are likely doing during your trip is quite enough exercise, there are sunbeds (including the big comfy cushion kind I love) sprinkled all around the Saccharum Resort garden which spans multiple layers and various garden segments so you can really mix up your lounging experience.
Restaurants & Bars at the Saccharum Resort Madeira
The quality and range of restaurants & bars on offer at the Saccharum Resort are very unlikely to disappoint either:
Restaurants:
- Trapiche Restaurant: Our altogether favourite restaurant for lunch and where we found ourselves most frequently. Like our favourite pool, it overlooks the hillside and offers green, sustainable and seasonal dishes (some of which are sourced from the onsite garden). Its sounds super healthy, but don’t worry, they also do an epic burger. Its open, boho, beachy style got a big TICK from us
- Engenho Restaurant: High quality, Healthy (but delicious), locally sourced breakfast buffet outside the lower level pool looking out onto the ocean – TICK
- Alambique restaurant is the place for fine dining and a special meal out (again with locally sourced delicacies such as coastal fish). They even have a vegan menu! – TICK.
Bars:
- Fly Lounge Bar: Cocktails whilst watching sunset at the classy Fly Lounge bar on one of the upper levels for maximum vantage – TICK (we also enjoyed singing along to some great musical acts some evenings)
- Calhau Beach Club: As if all this wasn’t enough, if you want to get that little closer to the sunset or lounge around in style during some chilled time at the beach, this is your spot!
If you fancy some meals outside the hotel, it’s also walking distance to a small marina with a parade of restaurants. Don’t expect mega fine dining (some of them are in outdoor tents), but the food at Leme Marisqueira was unexpectedly good!
What I loved about the Saccharum Resort Madeira
What is not to love?…
✓ Incredible west coast location
✓ Rooftop infinity pool and combination of hillside & ocean view
✓ Quiet atmosphere
✓ Spacious rooms
✓ Perfect after hiking
Things to consider about the Saccharum Resort Madeira
- It’s a drive from Funchal.
- Not the cheapest option.
- Not loads of things to see and do within walking distance
With this in mind, it’s almost a necessity to book car hire if you want to stay here – that said, if you are planning to do lots of hikes and sightseeing, I’d recommend hiring a car regardless. I’d highly recommend booking your car rental through Klook – our go to car hire site.
Who should stay at the Saccharum Resort Madeira
The Saccharum Resort is perfect for:
✔ Couples
✔ Honeymoon
✔ Road trips
✔ Luxury travellers
✔ Nature lovers
It may be less suited to families wanting lots of entertainment and family added extras. That said, Saccharum Resort Calheta regularly receives top reviews from families.
Is Saccharum Resort Madeira worth it?
A big yes from me! Compared to similar hotels across other places in Europe, I found the rates to be very reasonable. The Saccharum Resort Savoy Collection exceeded my expectations on all fronts!
Final verdict
Would I stay at the Saccharum Resort Madeira again? Without hesitation!
In fact, if I ever return to Madeira, I honestly can’t think of many hotels I’d choose over it. Between the spectacular location, genuinely beautiful design, outstanding spa, fantastic restaurants and one of my favourite infinity pools anywhere in Europe, it managed to strike that perfect balance between luxury and adventure.
If your dream Madeira holiday involves spending the morning hiking through ancient laurel forests before returning for sunset cocktails overlooking the Atlantic, I think you’ll absolutely love it here. And if, like me, your ideal holiday involves beautiful hotels just as much as unforgettable experiences, I suspect you’ll feel right at home at the Saccharum Resort Madeira
Ready to book?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saccharum Resort suitable for couples?
Absolutely! I’d say couples who like a bit of luxury whilst also appreciating nature & adventure are the primary guest for this hotel
Does Saccharum Resort have an infinity pool?
One of the best infinity pools with jaw dropping views I’ve ever experienced!
Do you need a car if staying at Saccharum Resort?
I’d highly recommend getting car hire since as the majority of attractions/hikes are very much spread across the island…most are around 30-60 minutes drive from the hotel
How far is Saccharum Resort from Funchal?
A fairly easy 30 (ish) minute drive from the city and 45 (ish) minute drive from Funchal Airport (FNC)
Is breakfast included?
It depends on what package you get and you may have to pay a little more to get breakfast included, but in my view, totally worth it!
Is Saccharum Resort worth the money?
In my personal view, absolutely yes! I found the rates to be very reasonable relative to the value.
Leave a Reply