Words by Christopher Roser
Located on the south coast of Madeira, Saccharum Resort and Spa is a boutique luxury retreat with a dramatic cliffside setting on the site of a former sugar cane plantation. A mere 30 minutes from the island’s beautiful mountainside capital and just under an hour’s drive from the airport, Saccharum, which opened in 2015, is slick, sophisticated and modern.
Hotel
A large property set on nine levels, Saccharum has three restaurants, five swimming pools, an award-winning spa and extensive grounds and gardens. Despite its size, the discreet architecture affords plenty of privacy for guests, the atmosphere is quiet, very relaxed and intimate. Popular with families and couples alike, Saccharum and the nearby sandy beaches of Calheta are a self contained bubble where many guests choose to stay for their entire break and it is easy to see why given the impressive facilities and service.
The reception is located in the dramatic glazed lobby area. The design of the hotel by Nini Andrade Silva might nod to Madeira’s sugar industry, with metal pieces from the local cane mills, but also has a contemporary edge with its moodily lit darkened corners. Check-in is informal and smooth and premium customers arrive at a private concierge desk.
Room
Saccharum has 180 rooms and five suites. My sea-facing premium room was spacious with a large balcony that offered spectacular sunset views and the king-sized bed was decked with crisply pressed cotton sheets. The bathroom boasts a rain shower and twin slate wash basins, and Molton Brown and Prija toiletries come as standard.
The premium rooms give guests a range of in-room courtesies such a daily newspaper of their choice as well as free access to the spa, the stunning premium lounge and sundeck with incredible views of the island.
Food and drink
Saccharum has three restaurants. The formal à la carte restaurant Alambique serves a wide selection of mouth-watering Madeiran dishes, where starters include tuna tataki wrapped in sesame, tomato chutney and mango jelly and foie-gras terrine, bresaola, honey and ginger fragrance with pistachio and green asparagus. Mains include local favourite black scabbard fish fillet with banana, mashed potatoes and passion fruit essence. Popular meat dishes include a mouth-watering take on Duck magret with wild mushroom risotto and reduced orange.
The larger Engenho Restaurant serves daily themed morning and evening buffets. Breakfast is an extravagant buffet with a plethora of tasty options from cooked dishes to sumptuous fresh fruit, tasty pastries and fragrant cheeses. The Trapiche Restaurant, located next to the infinity pool, on the eighth floor, is a casual affair serving gourmet burgers, risottos, salads and snacks. The Fly bar has live music most evenings, while the second floor Garapa bar is where you can sip cocktails watching the sunset, and the Calhau beach bar is perfect for a lazy afternoon on the sand.
Facilities
Saccharum’s resort facilities are magnificent. There are five outdoor swimming pools, including a stunning infinity pool overlooking the cliff edge and the Atlantic Ocean, one exclusively for children. The large spa has extensive facilities from sensory rain-showers, a hot tub, sauna and a large indoor pool. Unique touches include a Turkish bath, ice fountain and a Halotherapy room.
There is an impressive range of spa treatments: The Saccharum Couples’ Ritual is a bubbling bath and body scrub, followed by a full body cane massage. The hotel also has a well equipped gym and a squash court. Above the Trapiche Bar there are delightful jungle-like paths that wind around the picturesque cliffside grounds through sugar cane canopied corners to a gorgeous secret chef’s garden filled with verdant tropical fruits and fragrant herbs.
In a nutshell
If you are looking for a secluded five-star retreat for a pampered break in gorgeous surroundings, then Saccharum is one of the finest on this beautiful island.
Factbox
Rooms start from £150 and are bookable via the hotel’s website. Breakfast included.
Address: Rua da Serra D’Agua, Arco da Calheta 9370083, Madeira, Portugal
Phone: 00351 291 820800
Email: saccharum@savoysignature.com
Website: savoysignature.com/saccharumhotel
