Madeira in September - any recommendations

[TiredGardener]

Husband wants to go to Madeira, he’s been there once years ago. I don’t do heights and have back issues so walking is limited for me unless very flat. We both love beaches and swimming. I’d be grateful for any advice/recommendations of places to stay. Self catering fine. Thanks !

The hotels on the sea front are your best bet, it's the flattest part of Funchal and there are lots of bars and restaurants. You'll also be able to take a taxi or bus easily up to the more hilly parts from there. There are lots of hotels along there to suit a variety of budgets (Pestana CR7 is a well known one for example)

Thanks so much, that’s very helpful.

Agreed, stay nice and central in Funchal so you have easier access to everything. We also found it very easy to get taxis. You can also take bus and jeep tours to see more of the island. There aren’t beaches as such, so choose a hotel with a nice outside area and pool if you want to lounge and swim. Our hotel was a little further out in the Lido area so sorry I can’t recommend a specific one.

We did about 20k steps a day when we visited but you can definitely take it easy! Enjoy lots of sitting around enjoying the food and drink. We loved it there.

I went last year with my Mum who has very limited mobility due to back issues. We stayed at Pestana Ocean Bay outside Funchal at Praia Formosa because I wanted an all inclusive and direct access to a flat promenade. I loved the hotel and the location but we would have been just as happy in Funchal itself.
We did a short walk on the prom most days, took taxis into Funchal, one day we did did the hop on, hop off open top bus which went around Funchal and the surrounds. I also booked, in advance, an all day island tour by private taxi as this seemed the easiest way for Mum to see the island, but it would be easy to sort out taxis when you're there.
It was great. We really enjoyed it there and I'm keen to go back.

We stayed in the Old town part of Funchal. There are loads of restaurants and we ate at a different place every evening. There was a hotel right on the sea front that had a huge swimming pool. The area was flat, and it sounds like it would have met your needs very well. I'll see if I can find it.

We hired a taxi to take us around the island and had a brilliant day out.

I also highly recommend a whale and dolphin watching boat trip. The trip organisers have colleagues up on the cliffs who can spot where there are whales and dolphins and stay in contact with the boat, so you are practically guaranteed to see some marine life.

However, Madeira is not a beach destination. If you want sandy beaches I would look elsewhere.

I’m not sure what your budget is? The main hotel area in Funchal is flat. We stayed at the Cliff Bay Hotel - it was fantastic. BA have a sale on at the moment so you should be able to get a good deal with a hotel if your choice. No beaches on Madeira - but we found it to be very beautiful. If walking is difficult local buses are good and taxis are reasonably priced into Funchal.

Thank you everyone ! Lots of great places to look into

It’s not the place to go if you love beaches. The savoy is nice though.

The Savoy Palace is fantastic. However bit of an uphill trek from Funchal. No beaches, well certainly not in that area.

Hotel Porto Santa Maria is on the edge of the old town, plenty of restaurants nearby. Been there twice, & thoroughly recommend it.
Adults only, large pool, rooms have a mini-kitchen with proper fridge, 2 ring cooker, pots & crocks etc.

Does your hights and back limit you walking altogether, or is the issue going uphill - and slow downhill would be fine?

Madeira is known for levadas, artificial water routes. It is possible to use bus/taxi to get up to the starting point and follow the water down.

You'd have to check on good maps, to not overstretch it. I just wanted to mention this for your consideration, because Madeira is very hilly, and can look scary for walking, but the levadas make it more accessible than it looks

I think that was the hotel we walked past, and I remember thinking that this is where I would want to stay if I went back. We were up the hill and it was a steep climb back from our evening meal.

I love Madeira.