Following several days at Portugal’s opulent, recently opened Savoy Palace in Funchal, Madeira, I had high hopes for sister property Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa, a 30-minute drive in beachfront Arco de Calheta.
Another member of the Madeira-only Savoy Signature Collection, Saccharum is geared to outdoorsy and wellness-focused guests wanting a touch of extra comfort and style to bask in after long days hiking, biking or sailing around the island.
As the Savoy Signature vehicle that was transporting me from Savoy Palace emerged from a tunnel and rounded a curve, the Savoy Saccharum certainly delivered the “wow” factor I had hoped for. The brown wood, glass and steel outer structure (conceived by local architecture firm RH+ Architects appeared to extend the island’s landscape, defined by steep cliffs and earth terraced toward the ocean.
Splurge for Premium Experience
Once inside the lobby, which was bathed in a calming palette of fresh greens, deep browns and pale, cork-like beiges, I was greeted by my concierge, Udo. He effusively welcomed me as a “Premium Experience” guest and provided painstaking detail of special privileges that came with the designation, such as access to all Savoy property restaurants, unlimited access to the spa’s amenities, a constantly refreshed minibar and made-to-order breakfasts in the “Club” area that adjoined the eighth-floor bar and lounge.
Design With a Sense of Place
Moving deeper into the resort, I was impressed with how interior designer (and Madeira native) Nini Andrade Silva made sugarcane and the island’s one-time bustling sugar industry the inspiration for the property’s main design, further distinguishing Saccharum from other Madeira properties. Udo pointed out the designer’s imaginative and sustainable repurposing of the parts of a sugar cane processor, while wooden floor carpeting design and upholstery further set the tone for the kind of back-to-nature guest experience the hotel was originally designed to create.
Trapiche Bar serves vegetarian fare by the rooftop pool.
Credit: 2022 Elyse GlickmanAndrade Silva intended Saccharum to serve as a modern extension to Sociedade dos Engenhos da Calheta (a.k.a. The Sugarcane Museum, a working sugarcane processing plant located 15 minutes on foot from the property’s front door), especially with Galeria 1425, an exhibit that displays century-old photos, machinery parts and vintage rum bottles, and an adjoining lobby bar with soft rum-colored lighting emitted from chandeliers made from repurposed barrel hoops.
At one of world’s most Instagrammed rooftop infinity pools, I had access to an exclusive “Premium Experience” area with its own Jacuzzi and the executive chef’s herb and vegetable garden. Trapiche Bar, the best restaurant at Saccharum, is located just beyond the rooftop pool and includes a solid vegetarian menu that, while not entirely Madeiran, featured flavorful dishes made with fresh ingredients.
Suites With an Emphasis on the Outdoors
My sixth-floor suite, meanwhile, was small but efficiently laid out. A geometric brown chaise and desk were merged and built into the wall. Sugarcane wallpaper, modular storage and a king-size bed completed the interiors. Over one-third of the room’s space was dedicated to its outdoor terrace, allowing for spectacular daytime views and for soothing sounds of the Atlantic Ocean to pour in at night. More importantly, the bedding and seating were quite welcoming after a bike tour or “levada” (waterway) forest hike.
Savoy Saccharum's infinity pool
Credit: 2022 Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa
As the other restaurants on property fell short in quality (the buffet in particular), I found the extra “Premium Experience” option a worthy investment that elevated Saccharum from a family-friendly four-star property to a five-star stay, with game changers that included made-to-order breakfasts at the private club and the ability to enjoy more authentically prepared Madeiran fare at Seaside Onda Azul in the Calheta Beach Hotel across the road.
The “Premium Experience” also offers unlimited yoga, tai chi, Pilates and aqua aerobics, as well as a tranquil second-floor pool facing the Atlantic. Although the spa is Saccharum’s marquee amenity, the girly glam found in many hotel spas is swapped out with straightforward simplicity tailored to active men and women looking to hit the spa every day for a sauna circuit session, a pre-hike swim or a post-ride massage. With superb massages and well-executed treatments, pampering and luxury were found where it counts.
The Details
Savoy Saccharum Resort & Spa
