- Madeira Holidays
- Calheta
- Savoy Saccharum Resort and Spa
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Savoy Saccharum Resort and Spa
Portugal, Europe
Calheta
This up-scale and refined hotel enjoys a privileged positioned in the west coast of the island of Madeira, in Calheta. The classy property is set a few steps from the marina and the impressive sandy beach. As the hotel is built where there used to be an old sugar cane mill, the current decoration is based on this concept. Guests will be able to be pampered at the guest rooms and suites that are tastefully appointed in an elegant and modern look. They are generously proportioned and some of them even include a private balcony with panoramic views to the sea. The hotel offers an incredible array of useful and superior services and facilities that feature a complete spa and wellness centre with a fantastic indoor swimming pool to relax while children have fun at the children's Playroom or at the outdoor splash pool.
Facilities
- Wheelchair-accessible
- Car park*
- Garage*
- 24-hour reception
- Mobile phone coverage
- Wired Internet
- Wi-fi
- Local and international calls
- Car hire
- Transfer service*
- *Some facilities may incur an additional fee
The Local Area
Tripadvisor Reviews
4.5 Excellent3,057 reviews
Excellent
68%
Very Good
21%
Average
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Marketing vs reality — read before you pay the “Ocean” upgrade
First, the genuine positives: the hotel is beautiful and spotlessly clean, the grounds are lovely, the gym is excellent (dumbbells to 28kg, quality machines). The beach is rock rather than sand, but has lifeguards.
Now, marketing versus reality:
What they advertise: an “Ocean Suite” and “Ocean Room” with listing photos of the sea filling the window, floor to ceiling.
What you get: a carpark, trees, and neighbouring buildings, with a strip of ocean in the distance. I’ve posted the listing photos next to my actual view — judge for yourself. We paid a considerable premium for this, and my wife and I both felt short-changed.
What they advertise: a responsive 5-star service culture, inviting your arrival details in advance.
What you get: silence. I messaged 3 times before arrival with our late check-in and an extra bed request — no reply, and nothing ready at midnight: pull-out bed unmade, adjoining rooms locked until morning.
Day 1, I emailed constructive feedback directly to management — no reply either, until I chased it and posted this review.
Four ignored communications is a pattern, not an oversight.
What they advertise: pool open until 8pm.
What you get: towels stop at 6:45pm and umbrellas come down around you from then — like a bar taking your drink before closing time.
What you won’t see in the photos:
• Service is polite but transactional — nowhere near the standard of a Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons, which is the comparison a 5-star badge and these prices invite. The exception: individual staff were genuinely helpful when we asked about our kids’ nut allergies.
• Soundproofing well below 5-star standard — showers, conversations, and clattering from neighbouring rooms, and a wafer-thin adjoining door (avoid adjoining rooms if privacy matters).
• Capacity strain: decent sunbeds are a daily struggle, breakfast seating is a scramble, long morning queues at coffee and food stations with slow refills, and waits for the lifts.
• Food is decent rather than exceptional, with limited choices for younger children.
• Allergen labelling weaker than comparable 5-star hotels.
UPDATE AT CHECKOUT: After this review and chased emails, the hotel moved us to Premium Ocean View rooms for our final two nights and covered our family dinner on the last evening.
Credit where due — those rooms are beautiful, and exactly what the listing photos promise. Sound of ocean in the background, stunning relaxing views.
Which is why I’m leaving this review : the “Ocean Room” and “Ocean Suite” we paid a supplement for are a different, lesser product. The key lesson for future guests: an “Ocean Room” here does NOT mean the ocean view in the photos — that’s a separate, higher tier called “Premium Ocean View.” If the view matters to you, book that tier explicitly.
A beautiful property in a stunning location. But between the room marketing, the noise, the crowds, and how hard we had to push to be heard, we won’t be back.
Thank you to Judite for your efforts but I would be a sellout to take a meal and not leave an honest review.
Review by Aidan M Dublin, Ireland
Excellent Stay, Don’t Miss the Pit Fire Dinner
We had an excellent experience at the Saccharum Resort & Spa. We were on the Premium Package and it definitely lived up to expectations.
The welcome was warm and enthusiastic, and our room was spotlessly clean and well appointed. The facilities are excellent, with a good gym, several pools and a lovely spa.
We only ate breakfast and lunch in the hotel, but both were consistently good. We also tried a few of the activities, and the Food Workshop with Elson was one of the highlights of our trip. Great fun, well priced, and Elson was a brilliant guide and host.
The best meal we had during our entire stay in Madeira was the Pit Fire Dinner at the Beach Club, which is part of the hotel and located just across the road. The food was outstanding, cooked over an open flame in a beautiful setting overlooking the ocean. I would highly recommend booking it.
Calheta Marina is only a five-minute walk away and has plenty of restaurants if you want to eat outside the hotel.
As for the staff, the vast majority were excellent and went above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. One or two interactions could have been better, but in a hotel of this size that didn’t detract from our overall experience.
Perhaps the best compliment I can give Saccharum is that I would definitely return in the future.
Review by CluckerJones Dunboyne, Ireland
Very nice property, location and food options. Only felt truly 5-star for “premium” guests however
My wife and I enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable 7-night stay at Saccrahum
The good:
- great location in a nice setting for their pools and restaurants; a few minute walk to the Calheta marina with additional restaurant and activity options
- awesome buffet breakfast
- relaxing pools; right across the street from an ocean swimming spot and beach
- nice spa/gym
- front desk staff was friendly and helpful
The not-as-good: If you did not pay the additional 110 euro/night, for the “premium experience”, we did not think the hotel lived up to a 5-star status, especially given the price of the rooms. Basically everything besides the basic room either cost extra or was blocked off for premium guests only. We had an issue with our room on night one that was eventually handled by the front desk management team and they offered to upgrade us to the Premium Experience throughout our stay. Had that not happened, I would probably not be leaving such a high review
Overall still a nice hotel, location, food, and amenities. But again, if you are not going full “premium”, expect extra charges and blocked off sections throughout the property.
Review by David V Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
An Exceptional Hotel in Every Sense
After staying in several excellent hotels across Madeira, Saccharum Resort by Savoy was in a league of its own. Quite simply, it was the best hotel of our trip and possibly one of the best hotels we’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world.
From the moment you arrive, everything feels thoughtfully designed. The architecture is stunning: contemporary, elegant and perfectly integrated into its surroundings. Every space has been carefully considered, creating an atmosphere that is both luxurious and incredibly relaxing.
Our sea-view suite was spacious, beautifully designed and offered spectacular views over the Atlantic. Waking up to the sound of the ocean every morning was an experience in itself.
What truly elevates this hotel, however, is its people. Every member of staff we encountered was genuinely friendly, professional and attentive. It’s the small details, the warm greetings, the proactive service and the constant attention to guests, that make you feel truly welcome.
The facilities are outstanding. The hotel features several beautiful swimming pools spread across different levels, each offering its own atmosphere and breathtaking sea views. The sun decks are perfect for relaxing, the beach club with its loungers is fantastic, and the fully equipped gym is one of the best hotel gyms we’ve used.
The culinary experience was equally impressive. From the extensive breakfast buffet to the restaurants and beach bar, every meal was beautifully presented and delicious. The buffet restaurant deserves special praise for offering a different theme and menu every evening, ensuring that dining never became repetitive during our stay.
The location in Calheta is another major advantage. Right by the ocean, yet perfectly positioned to explore some of Madeira’s most spectacular attractions. We used the hotel as our base for hikes such as 25 Fontes, Levada do Moinho and PR1, as well as day trips to Porto Moniz, making it an ideal combination of relaxation and adventure.
Saccharum is one of those rare hotels where every detail simply comes together: exceptional architecture, outstanding hospitality, superb gastronomy, first-class facilities and a perfect location.
We travel frequently and have stayed in many hotels around the world, but Saccharum genuinely stands out. It’s a hotel we would return to without hesitation and one we can recommend wholeheartedly to anyone visiting Madeira.
Review by Wildlifebrothers Puurs, Belgium
Nice but wont be returning
We are currently staying in Saccharum Savoy Signature Hotel.
Our first impression was how dark the hotel was, extremely dim lighting. Our room was not ready (but we were early) so we went for a complimentary welcome drink at the bar. I had cava and my partner had a beer...served in a champagne flute...how strange!
We were allocated room 303 which we were not happy with, the room itself was fine but we requested a high floor on booking. When we told the receptionist she sorted it for us and moved us to room 703, which was much nicer and had a panoramic view of the ocean.
The room is beautiful, very spacious, huge bed, very large shower, separate toilet with bidet (could do with extractor fan) and large wardrobe, again could do with a full length mirror, but overall it is very nice.
The rooftop terrace is absolutely beautiful, stunning views and comfy sun loungers.
The infinity pool is gorgeous with spectacular views!
Breakfast in Engenho restaurant was excellent...something for everyone...omelette, pancake station was very good too.
In the evening the hotel has music entertainment, but we like to go out of the hotel and experience local bars, music etc. There is none if this in Calheta.
We ate out every night and the food was ok...the Indian restaurant Buddha Sukka was good, chicken tikka was yummy! Had an excellent Chateau brien in the restaurant right next door to the hotel, very authentic Portuguese setting.
Calheta has a few restaurants, a supermarket and a chemist, no other shops like souvenir shops etc. The beach is man made with imported sand and created by a harbour wall...we've been to some beautiful beaches, but this isn't one of them.
Overall nice holiday but we won't be returning to Calheta as too quiet in the evenings.
