Choupana Hills, nr Funchal, Madeira
Modern romance on the surprisingly chic Atlantic isle of Madeira
Honeymoon Heaven
A major reason to honeymoon in Madeira is Choupana Hills Resort & Spa. Without doubt the hippest hotel on the island, it’s set high above the capital Funchal with panoramic views over the city and ocean. Thirty-four upscale bungalows crafted from Basalt stone and dark tali wood from Brazil are set down the hillside, dotted between winding paths, pine and eucalyptus trees. Goa (named after the Portuguese colony) is the highest suite and one of the best with a wide veranda on two sides with dreamy loungers and a sunken outdoor Jacuzzi for two. The eastern-inspired bedroom has a large dark wood canopied bed. Little details make all the difference such as the wooden box of exotic teas and the Madeira wine waiting for you. The trump card of Choupana Hills is its beautiful pool with green and gold flecked mosaic tiles and decadent loungers from which you are offered tiny mango sorbets and the like. Like all good design hotels, there is a very descent spa which offers aromatherapy, reflexology, rasul, algae wraps, facials, revitalising baths and a Turkish steam bath. The hotel’s Basalt Bar is the perfect place to watch the sunset with a ‘Poncha’, a local cocktail of lemon juice, honey and Madeiran rum. Bag a table for dinner on the outdoor terrace of Xopana restaurant overlooking the pool and the twinkling lights of Funchal and tuck into sublime cuisine such as red tuna with Japanese noodles, advocate and ginger sauce.
Out & About
Design hotels, extreme sports and cool bars: could this really be Madeira? This dramatic volcanic island a thousand miles off the west coast of Africa still has its botanical gardens and octogenarians, but it’s a great find for honeymooners in search of a laidback paradise with some funky touches. It’s also just a three and a half hour flight and has year-round sunshine. Roger Moore and Zoe Ball both love it, which kind of sums up its old world charm now mingled with 21st century appeal.
When you are out and about on the island, a must is a visit to Cabo Girao, at 580m, it’s the second highest cliff in the world. The island’s incredible geography of plunging ravines and steep slopes lends itself to extreme sports such as mountain biking, jeep safaris, off-road biking, kayaking, canyoning in and paragliding. More traditionally you can take the Monte Toboggan run - a 20-minute ride in a wicker basket down to Funchal. It can be combined with an equally hair-raising ride up to Monte from Funchal by cable car. For more gentle pursuits, the island is criss-crossed with ‘levadas’ or old irrigation channels which cut through sheer cliffs or follow aqueducts over deep crevices. Otherwise the Botanical Gardens Funchal or the Monte Palace Tropical Garden with its grottos and koi carp ponds are a must.
Essentials...
Double rooms from £192 per night.
Request a Quote or Call Back...
Bridal Boltholes has teamed up with luxury travel agency Quo Vadis who can offer flight-inclusive quotes for honeymoons at this property. We recommend using them as they often have access to special offers, as well as services that can help make your honeymoon special from begining to end, such as meet & greet airport parking, private airport - hotel transfers and in resort extras.
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