The Vine, Funchal, Madeira - Explore & Book

"The Vine is divine. Not only that, its cutting-edge chic is putting Madeira on the map for hip city breaks and luxury living.There may not be a vineyard in sight, but it’s all about the wine here, from the first floor restaurant Terra, groovily themed to feel as though you’re dining amid roots and beneath vines, to the vinous photographs above the beds and the lush palettes of purple, green, pink and brown. The Vine is a design hotel par excellence: the underground spa is darkly seductive; the rooftop swimming pool, sundeck and levada-inspired Jacuzzi could be from a Vogue photo shoot. Lights come on and curtains glide at the merest touch, bathrooms have waterfall-effect showers, modish baths stand at the foot of the bed. Madeiran-Portuguese designer Nini Andrade Silva has won countless awards for her interiors; at last she's brought her talents home. Forget the old holiday cliches of golf and G&T: look for the high life and find it here. Highs Lush sea views from the sundeck at the top, plus hidden jacuzzi, poolside bar with creative cocktails and infinity poolThe decor oozes glamour, luxury and style - it's won many design awardsThe Spa has some unique treatments (red wine massages and milk baths)Staff are warm and friendly, professional yet unobtrusiveAn excellent super-central location Lows Too cool for school? The lighting devices take some getting used to and the rooms may be a bit style-over-substanceYou enter via the La Vie shopping centreMany bedrooms are overlooked by neighbouring buildings and there's a certain amount of city-centre noiseNo garden - but the fabulous sundeck more than compensatesWhile the rooms can be good-value, extras such as food and treatments may not merit their price tag" - Laura Dixon