Guests at Quinta Splendida Wellness & Botanical Garden say: I had a wonderful stay at Quinta Splendida Wellness Botanical Gardens, 4-11 March 2024. The weather was 18-21° enough to sunbathe.
I had a side-sea studio with an amazing sun terrace. The room was complete with a kitchenette, including utensils and dining wear, a standard fridge, additional seating and table, and terrace beds plus outside table and chairs. TV, radiators, twin beds. I slept deeply and comfortably every night. There is a blanket in the wardrobe shoukd you need it. Otherwise, a summer soft duvet ad plenty of soft big pillows. The bathroom has plug sockets, a bidet, a shower, and a large sink, and it is a good-sized space. Plenty of towels and toilet paper provided. Rooms serviced daily.
The garden view rooms are wonderful too, all with terraces and ground floor, with its own patch of garden and terrace sunbeds.
I booked half-board, but you can easily stay, room only, and stock up nicely with food from a reasonably cheap and fully stocked supermarket, 50m away from the hotel. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants, shops and a shopping centre to explore.
I travelled with Jet2, who provided a value for money package deal.
Botanical Gardens at Quinta Splendida.
Out of this world, 30,000sqm of tropical plants and trees, imported from multiple tropical countries, thriving beautifully on this rich, nutrient island of Madeira. There are no landscaped designs, the gardens are anaged by a lead gardener and team, who just plant away and nuture nature's beauty.
There are many secluded places to find within the gardens, for mindful thinking, or just to absorb the beauty of it all. Each day, I discovered something new and beautiful in the gardens.
Quinta Splendida retains the original Manor House and a 150 year old wine cellar. Antonio and Leonor present a wonderful Madeira wine testing experience. In the cellar is a 98 year old bottle of wine, in 2026 it will reach its Centenary and there's sure to be something fantastical planned!
I recommend the Botanical Gardens €5 and the Madeira Wine Testing €5.50 tours. Both an hour long and an organised early evening by the hotel.
The hotel runs a weekly activity calendar, and you'll find a copy in your room, as well as information about the spa. The activities calendar is informed and includes daily excursions, and Levada (canal) walking (you will need decent walking footwear); as well as welcome drinks and activities at the hotel. Reception is on hand 24/7 for bookings and enquiries.
The hotel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is high up in the hills, overlooking Canicio de Baixo (towards the sea front)
Quinta Splendida is in Canicio town centre, a quaint village, easy to navigate around and to eat out. There is a beautiful, ornate Catholic Church nearby, too. Funchal, Madeira's capital is a 15 min drive away.
It is a steep walk up and down to the sea front, but you can take a local bus or taxi, reasonable costs. As the hotel is in the hillside, it is hilly, but there are decent walk ways within, which aren't steep.
My stay was a self-made retreat. The hotel has a huge, beautifully kept spa with multiple facilities.
There is an option to book spa rooms (built next to the spa, these are more modern than the rest of the hotel). But my room was located not far from the spa, by chance, and I liked the atmosphere, room space, and time to chill out in my own personal space.
Kaiyla was my spa therapist, and she specialises in Ayevadic massage and multiple Eastern methods of massage. I highly recommend Kaiyla as she is experienced and knows her specilisms inside out, taking the greatest care with clients.
The spa has Balneotherapy (a powerful hydrotherapy bath - minerals and oils added).
A range of Eastern therapies. Herbs from the Botanical Gardens are used in the spa.
There is a huge indoor swimming pool with lounges and relaxation areas. Jacuzzi, steam, sauna, Turkish Bath, Cold Fountain, Relaxation room, and exercise room. Note that the hotel boasts a large outdoor free pool accessible for everyone with plenty of sun loungers, bar, and facilities.
The spa is worth exploring, even just to have a look, it is deeply relaxing. If you have a booked treatment, all facilities are free, otherwise €22.50 daily for all spa general facilities.
The other treatments are, on average, similar prices paid in the UK. But good value for money.
Robe, slippers and towels are provided, as well as a locker and quality herbal tea is served in Japanese tea ware.
Restaurants
There are several a la carte restaurants, including a Thai. But I was half board, with great value for money. Food is buffet style and in abundance with a wide variety.
Breakfast
Plenty of fresh fruits, cereals, deli sliced meats, cheeses, salads, various breads including rye, rolls, croissants cakes and hot plates eggs, sausages, bacon, mushrooms and more.
Dinner
Various starters, homemade soup, rolls, sushi, tuna, various salads, and more.
Mains
Chicken, fish, pasta, rice, potatoes, pizza, chips, and more.
A huge range of delicious desserts, cakes, fruit, and more.
Drinks are paid in addition to half board costs, but beverages are included with breakfast.
The restaurant staff are amazing, attentive, welcoming, and always helpful and caring. Individual thanks at the end of this review.
I highly recommend Quinta Splendida. It is the only Botanical Gardens hotel in Madeira and is unique.
The same plants in the extensive main Botanical Garden, in Funchal, are growing in Quinta Splendida, albeit a range and a smaller size.
My take home from this trip is, without a doubt, a place "home away from home"
I was drawn by the Botanical Gardens, a completely therapeutic trip, and I was not disappointed. The various types of palm trees are incredible.
It is the employees that make the trip what it is, and the staff at Quinta Splendida are genuinely warm, welcoming, always happy, engaging, and want the very best for each guest .... if I could have taken them home with me, I would have, as family friends, but I'll just go back again and visit (laugh).
This break was everything and more than I had wished for. I returned home super relaxed.
If you choose to stay, see the sunrise if you can. The sunset is beautiful, too. But I could better see sunrise than sunset, from my room around 7.23am.
Explore the gardens fully, take time to sit, and enjoy the splendour of it all. Go on the hotel tours and find out about the hotel. Its history iso fascinating.
There is an open rooftop for all guests. Take a moment to enjoy. There is a hotel kitchen garden with an abundance of vegetables, salads, herbs, and fruits, including bananas. You can walk through different parts at your leisure.
On the slopes and parameters of the hotel, there's a goat and kid goat, a cockerell too. All these sounds and the ambience make Quinta Splendida a wonderful place to be. It truly is a special place.
My heartfelt thanks to Lenor, Marcio, Isilda, Antonio, Jose, Teresa, Kaiyla, Ricardo, and to all the staff, including the gardeners and cleaners You are all utterly amazing! You made me feel safe, secure, and included, and your warmth will last a lifetime. Thank you all!
Excellent
Based on 702 reviews
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Showing 4 featured reviews out of 702 TripAdvisor reviews
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Anthea26
London, United Kingdom
16/03/2024
“Self-made retreat ”
I had a wonderful stay at Quinta Splendida Wellness Botanical Gardens, 4-11 March 2024. The weather was 18-21° enough to sunbathe. I had a side-sea studio with an amazing sun terrace. The room was complete with a kitchenette, including utensils and dining wear, a standard fridge, additional seat... more
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LorelieDB
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
07/04/2024
““Stuck” in Madeira but enjoyed this resort”
We stayed here for two nights when our flight out of Madeira was canceled. This was provided by our airline. To our surprise, this resort was a lovely location for our being “stuck” on the lovely island of Madeira for two days. The grounds are lush and beautiful. The pool and spa are excellent. N... more
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joseyjo4090
Malton, United Kingdom
31/03/2024
“Relaxing winter break in beautiful garden ”
This was our 5th visit to Madeira and our first stay at this beautiful hotel . We were very lucky with the weather in early March and spent all week relaxing by the pool. It is peaceful and the setting is stunning. The staff were friendly and the rooms were very clean and comfortable. We had a st... more
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LouiseD28601
26/03/2024
“Good”
We went to the spa and pool as exterior guests. We got a couple’s massage - it was great, then sunbathed and enjoyed the other spa facilities (jacuzzi, indoor pool). Overall it was good - the spa itself is a bit dated. The staff was nice and we tried some great tea.