Tucked away behind high walls above central Funchal, Quinta Jardins do Lago is a secret garden with a grand old house at its heart. This former manor, built in the 18th Century, sits in 6 acres of lush botanical greenery, with towering palms sheltering jacarandas, orchids and rare tropical plants from Asia, the Americas, and Africa. If you need proof of why Madeira is affectionately known as the Garden Island, here it is in black and white (or rather brilliant-green).
This former home of wealthy wine merchants and botanists is a grown-up hotel that wears its history lightly. There are 42 rooms, each classically styled with polished wood floors and antiques, with private terraces facing the gardens and sea beyond. Service is old-school in the best possible way: attentive, warm and quietly efficient. While many come to see the subtropical displays, so too do they come for the Mediterranean and Madeiran-inspired food at Beresford restaurant, incorporating herbs and fruits from the kitchen garden. Or there’s more casual dining offered beside the enormous pool, with views of Funchal below. Wander through the arboretum, read a book by the ponds, have tea and cake on the veranda; this is a classically luxurious escape where time slows and nature dazzles.