Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa – ‘The sea inside’

In Madeira there are several hotels that offer beautiful views of the sea and a good customer service. However, few are those who combine these two elements with a stunning interior design; the Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa offers all this and more …

Saccharum comes from the Latin word for sugar cane.
The Resort reminds us of the history of sugar cane on the island, which takes us back to the late XIV century in which Madeira was the largest exporter of sugar in the world, so-called ‘white gold’ .
The western area of ​​Madeira, including Calheta was one of the areas of greatest production of sugar cane. In the Hotel, there is even a museum “Gallery 1425” (Sugar cane was introduced in Madeira around 1425) that pays homage to its plantation. Here, one can admire several old photographs, pieces from the engine, and a video about the production and processing of this plant.

This hotel project belongs to the AFA group and the building has the signature of the architects Roberto Castro and Hugo Jesus (RH +). The interior decoration was in charge of the internationally awarded Madeiran designer, Nini Andrade Silva.

Location

Located in Calheta, right next to the marina and its sandy beach, about 35 minutes drive from Funchal, this resort was built on the previous site of an ancient sugar cane mill.

The hotel

The Saccharum dazzles us from the first moment. As we arrive in the hotel reception we can feel the industrial greatness of a factory, combined perfectly with the elegance and exclusivity of a design hotel. Everything has been thought to detail from the carpet that simulates the stained floor of a factory to lofty pillars lined with bricks, that impress any visitor. This resort has 243 rooms, 4 swimming pools, 4 bars, 2 restaurants, 1 gym, 1 Kids club, 2 meeting rooms, 1 squash court and a delightful spa.

The rooms

The hotel has 243 rooms and the vast majority offers ocean views. The decor is “ninimalist”, a style that I personally love to be as authentic as the signature of Nini Andrade Silva. It is a style that identifies itself and that authenticity is extraordinary. The rooms are very special, the floor, the ceiling and the walls are lined in only three shades that gives a relaxing harmony; green, beige and lilac the typical sugar cane colours. The beds are very comfortable as well as the bathroom, nicely settled inside the room. Amenities are typical of a 4 star hotel, including bath products, hairdryer, flatscreen TV, mini-fridge and safe. However, no bathrobes or room slippers, which are only available in the suites.
It also has an inviting terrace and a perfect sofa for two.
What I liked most about this room was its symbiosis and continuity with the sea, which opens up trough a glass wall and allows us to ‘feel the sea inside’.
At night, the lighting is perfect and we can even hear in the distance the waves in a gentle rocking sound that invites us to dream.

Fly Lounge Bar

On the 8th floor, the bar is the perfect setting for a drink at sunset. The furniture collection “Garota do Calhau” offers the famous sun loungers in the shape of a pebble, inviting us to admire the beautiful views of the sea. This bar is open to the general public and also offers live music concerts, called “Saccharum Sessions”, as a monthly cultural proposal.

The pools and the solarium

The Solarium is large and bright. It has fantastic views onto the sea and is bathed in an intense light reflected in the water of the pool, that extends visually to the sea.

There are 3 outdoor swimming pools that are well distributed in various areas. An interesting feature of this resort is to have an exclusive adult pool on the 2nd floor and another for children on the 8th floor, allowing more privacy. There is also a heated indoor pool for cooler days.

The SPA

I found the SPA absolutely beautiful. It impresses by its size, luxurious decor and multi-sensory experience that allows us to relax, the minute we get in. It has a heated indoor pool with water jets, several treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, ice fountain, jacuzzi, relaxation room with water beds and sea salt (indicated for respiratory diseases) and also a circuit with sensory showers. Entrance to the spa has an extra cost of 20 € and is forbidden to persons under 16 years.
Premium rooms and suites have free access to the SPA.

Conclusion:

The Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa is a hotel for design lovers. It is a hotel that dazzles not only for its intimate and tranquil decor, but also for its proximity to the sea.
I enjoyed the stories about sugarcane Madeira told by the hotel. Despite being a large hotel, there is proximity with the customer. It also offers guided tours on the west side of the island, including the Prazeres, Jardim do Mar and the “Engenho da Cana de Açúcar” in Calheta.

I recommend this hotel if you’re looking for a unique and contemporary resort, open to the sea and surrounding nature. It’s a great choice if you want to relax embraced by a friendly staff, the pleasures of a SPA, the blue sea and the sunlight of Madeira west coast.

Cost:

From 110 € per room

To book, click here.

Contacts:

Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa
Street Serra D’Água, nº 1
9370-087 Calheta
Madeira
Portugal

My stay was courtesy of Saccharum Hotel Resort & Spa, but the views expressed are my own.

The photos were courtesy of Budgettraveller.

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