Golden Residence Hotel

Madeira , Funchal

  • Couples Holidays
  • Spa & Wellness
  • Coastal
4/5
Inghams rating

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool 2
Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outdoor Swimming Pool Area
Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool Terrace
Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Indoor Pool
Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Restaurant Terrace
Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Golden View Bar
Show all photos Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool 2
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outdoor Swimming Pool Area
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool Terrace
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Indoor Pool
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Restaurant Terrace
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Golden View Bar
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outside Pool
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Outdoor Pool
  • Golden Residence Hotel Funchal Golden Flavours Restaurant
  • Rua do Cabrestante, 25 Funchal
Reviews and ratings

Facilities

  • Gym/Fitness Centres
  • Outdoor Pool
  • Indoor Pool
  • Spa Facilities
  • Hot Tub
  • Sauna/Steam Room
  • Bar
  • Family Rooms
  • Single Rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
More about Golden Residence Hotel

Funchal at a glance

  • Portuguese
  • Euro (EUR)
  • London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester Int. (MAN), Birmingham Int. (BHX), Edinburgh (EDI), Glasgow Int. (GLA), East Midlands (EMA), London Luton (LTN), Bristol (BRS), Leeds Bradford (LBA), London Stansted (STN), Newcastle (NCL), Bournemouth (BOH)
More about Funchal

Included in your walking holiday to Funchal

  • Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation

  • On holiday support and tailored advice over the phone from our Destination Expert

  • Inghams Digital Resort Guide included with things to do and useful information on holiday

  • Guided walks included (up to two per holiday, subject to availability) 

Join up to two included guided walks in Funchal and Caniço
Available year-round (subject to availability)

About Golden Residence Hotel

Think coastal cliffs, orange-streaked skies at sunset and poolside daydreaming at The Golden Residence hotel.

Head out past the outdoor pool and onto the terrace and enjoy fantastic views across the Atlantic ocean, look to your right and you’ll see Cabo Girao in the distance which is Europe's second highest cliff, as well as views of the grey pebbled beach of Praia Formosa. You’re a little further from Funchal here, around 2.5 kilometres away but the location and views are fabulous and if you do want to head into the centre you can always make use of the local buses and taxis.

This peaceful location doesn’t mean the hotel is short on things to do, with three buildings full of facilities you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. The outdoor pool and terrace area is always a great place to relax, it sits next to the hotel bar and restaurant so there’s a nice atmosphere. The spa is also a popular part of the hotel and is almost 600m² with a great range of facilities including an indoor swimming pool, sauna, whirlpool and steam room (payable locally).

  • Spa and wellness area that spans approx. 600m², it offers a sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool and indoor swimming pool. Massages and treatments are also available (spa facilities and treatments are bookable and payable locally).
  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Fitness area
  • Yoga classes (subject to hotel schedule, bookable and payable locally)
  • Two bars with live music some nights of the week
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Airport transfer time: approx. 30 minutes drive by shared transfer from Madeira Airport
  • 2.5 kilometres to central Funchal
  • Bus stop located right next to the hotel

The hotel is available to book on bed & breakfast, half board or full board.

Golden Flavours restaurant serves a selection of regional and international dishes in a buffet-style and is where guests can dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner (some meals are payable locally depending on the board basis you choose). During the warmer summer months you can dine on the outdoor terrace with views towards the outdoor swimming pool and ocean.

Golden views bar with an array of cocktails to choose from as well as soft drinks and teas, there's plenty to enjoy at the golden views bar (drinks payable locally).

This property caters for the following special dietary requirements

  • Gluten Free
  • Vegans
  • Vegetarians

Please let us know about any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Allergies and intolerances not listed above cannot be catered for. All allergies and intolerances, even if listed above, are subject to confirmation by the accommodation. 

Board basis available: Half Board, Full Board, Bed and Breakfast

  • Twin Sea Side View Rooms
    Twin Sea Side View Rooms

This hotel consists of 3 buildings that interconnect with each other.

Twin Side Sea View Rooms are approx. 34m² have a balcony where you can enjoy the side sea views and are located in building C of the hotel. 

Suite Land View with Kitchenette are approx. 52m² and can sleep up to three people (extra bed is a sofa bed). It has a small lounge area and the kitchenette comes well-equipped and is great for those looking for a little flexibility when it comes to dining. This room type is located in building A of the hotel.

Suite Side Sea View with Kitchenette are approx. 52m² and can sleep up to three people (extra bed is a sofa bed). These rooms also have a small lounge area and kitchenette. This room type is located in building A of the hotel.

One Bedroom Apartment can sleep up to four people (extra bed is a sofa bed). These rooms also offer a small lounge area and kitchenette. This room type is located in building B of the hotel.

Twin Side Sea View Single Rooms are available on request, please call to book. 

Bedroom facilities:

  • Air-conditioning
  • TV
  • Kettle
  • Minibar
  • Hairdryer

Additional information:

  • Lift accessible: Yes
  • Lift serves all floors: Yes
  • Access ramp: Yes
  • No. of rooms: 172
  • No. of buildings: 3
  • A tourist tax of approx. €2.00 per person per night, for a maximum of 7 nights is payable locally for guests age 13 years and over (subject to change)

Travel to Funchal

Depart on: any day except Tuesday

Arrive into: Madeira airport

Transfer time: approx. 25 minutes by shared transfer from Madeira airport

Check availability

Travel by air

Flights to Madeira depart any day, depending on departure airport, except for Tuesday's year-round.

Fly to Madeira from:

  • London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Glasgow, and Edinburgh

Transfer times:

  • Approx. 25 minutes by shared transfer
Inghams Rating: 4/5

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official rating.

Walks and hikes

Walking Trails:
3,000km of walking trails across Madeira
Terrain:
Mountain terrain. Levadas can be narrow, steep and require sure-footedness
More walking info

Discover Funchal

  • Admire breath-taking botanical gardens with plenty of tropical plants on display
  • Join a guided walk and wander the famous levadas - the islands historic aqueducts
  • This lively and vibrant ocean-side city offers plenty of sights to see

Funchal is a lively, sprawling city, famous for its harbour, mountain backdrop and flower displays. The city’s split into about 10 parishes, all slightly unique, so there’s plenty of nooks and crannies to explore on holiday.

Most hotels are in the São Martinho area, and you should definitely pop to the old town to get a proper feel for the history and culture. The narrow alleyways are always fun for a wander, with lots of lovely cafés and restaurants to stop in when you feel peckish. Take some time to explore the busy harbour, too. We love sitting by the water to watch the world go by.

More about Funchal

Things to do in Funchal

From £51 per person

The ideal excursion to get to know the city of Funchal. Experience the vibrant market, full of exotic flowers, tropical fruit, and local craftwork. After, take a visit to the embroidery factory to see the production of the internationally-renowned Madeiran embroidery before heading to the botanical gardens, where you can take in the panoramic views of the city. Round off the day with a visit to the wine lodge to taste the famous Madeira wine and Madeira honey cake – delicious!

Departs: Wednesday mornings

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £27 per person

Take a journey to the heart of the island to explore the beautiful Nun’s Valley and Monte village. Your first stop will be at Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint at 355m above sea level that looks out over Funchal city and the Bay of Funchal. From there you'll head up the mountains to the viewpoint of Eira do Serrado. Often talked about as one of the most beautiful places in Madeira, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the village of Curral das Freiras, the Nun’s Valley. Finally, your guide will take you to the picturesque village of Monte - famous for its beautiful church and gardens.

Departs: Monday and Saturday mornings

Duration: Approx. 4 hours

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £36 per person

On the west side of the island you'll find dramatic landscapes and unforgettable views at every turn. The highlights of this multi-stop tour include the fishing town of Câmara de Lobos, and Cabo Girão where, if you dare, you can walk the suspended glass platform at one of the highest sea cliffs in the world. From there you'll head on to the Encumeada Pass. At over 1000 metres in altitude, you can enjoy spectacular views over the north and the south coastlines, and the deep Ribeira Brava and São Vicente valleys. Your final stop before lunch will be Porto Moniz, famous for its natural volcanic rock pools.

After a lunch in Porto Moniz you'll visit the vast volcanic plateau of Paul da Serra. The day ends with visits to the beach town of Calheta - the warmest place in Madeira, and to Ponta do Sol - a picturesque village surrounded by banana plantations and vineyards.

Departs: Daily

Duration: Approx. 8 hours

Image is an example of a Madeiran coastline - this tour does not take you to this exact location.

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £36 per person

Explore the beautiful municipality of Santa Cruz - one of the oldest settlements on the island. Taking you from the ocean's edge to the mountain top, this guided walk incorporates history, nature, and local cuisine. Beginning with a stroll along the promenade, you'll visit charming gardens, the quaint market, and a 16th Century church. A quick 15-minute coach trip into the hills takes you to the village of Gaula. You'll be welcomed with a glass of wine, and a scrumptious cheese board served with locally-made sweet potato bread.

Difficulty: Easy, Distance:2km, Walking Duration: 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Departs: On a Friday morning

Duration: Half day

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £27 per person

A gentle walk along the Mimosa Valley, following a traditional 16th Century irrigation system ('levada'). Walking the levadas is a must-do for your Madeira holiday, and there's a variety of Madeira's fauna and flora to enjoy along the way.

Difficulty: Easy, Distance:5km, Walking Duration: 2 hours

Departs: Wednesday mornings

Duration: Half day (2 hours walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £38 per person

A full day exploring the Ribeiro Frio Natural Park in the north of the island. Set in a deep valley and surrounded by mountains, the park is home to Madeira's UNESCO-protected Laurel forest. Enjoy the quiet, explore the waterfalls, and discover some of the flora and fauna endemic to the island.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate, Distance:11km,Walking Duration: 4 hours.

Departs: Monday and Friday

Duration: Full day (approx. 4 hours of walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £38 per person

One of Madeira's most popular walking areas, the trails from Rabaçal take you through dense vegetation and into the Calheta mountains. Enjoy a waterfall walkway along the route, and discover the Lagoa das 25 Fontes. Here, water from the Paul da Serra plateau re-emerges via 25 springs ('fontes') and waterfalls - the weeping wall - creating a small natural pool.

Difficulty: Moderate, Distance:11km, Walking Duration: 4 hours

Departs: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday

Duration: Full day (approx. 4 hours of walking)

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

From £68 per person

Explore Madeira by bike. A fun and eco-friendly way to get to know the island, the trails take you through rural villages and protected natural areas. The tour starts at Pico de Arieiro, the second-highest mountain on the island at 1818 meters above sea level. Cycling through beautiful landscapes, you'll discover the Montado do Pereiro forest park, Levada de Serra do Faial, and the village of Santa da Serra. The route ends at Miradouro da Portela, with stunning views of the port of Cruz. This bike tour circuit is around 35km and the difficulty level is considered as easy

Difficulty: Easy. Included bike and helmet hire.

Duration: Half day

Departure day is confirmed before holiday departure, around 48 hours after making the booking. 

We act at all times as a selling agent for the suppliers. All excursions require minimum numbers to run and are subject to change. Some excursions may not be available to pre-book in low season but may be available to book locally subject to numbers. Prices will be confirmed at the time of booking. Please see our terms & conditions.

Funchal is the perfect holiday destination for garden and flower enthusiasts. Flowers thrive in Madeira’s tropical climate so you’ll see a whole host of floral displays. Madeira Botanical Gardens have five hectors to explore with tropical plants and array of colourful flowers, while Monte Palace Tropical Gardens are a must-see in the summer with over 100,000 species of plants and 70,000m² of gardens.

The Palheiro Gardens sit within a large estate on the outskirts of Funchal and are also worth a visit. There are a variety of plants to see as well as a great hill-top location, allowing for wonderful views towards the Funchal bay.

A number of our hotels offer fantastic gardens but the Quinta Splendida in Caniço is truly spectacular. You’ll find 30,000m² of Botanical Gardens with an abundance of plants and flowers to admire.

If you’re partial to a sweet wine then Madeiran wine might be the tipple for you, famous for its rich, sweet taste it can be enjoyed in many local bars but also in a number of wine tasting venues across the island.

On the local drinks menu you’re also likely to come across a Poncha. This rum-based cocktail was said to be what the local fisherman used to drink to warm themselves at sea.

Black scabbardfish is considered a delicacy in Madeira as fishing it isn’t an easy task. You’ll normally find it served with fried banana, it’s unusual but delicious!

Espetada Madeirense is a must-have on your holiday. Its beef that’s normally marinated in a salt and garlic rub, placed on a bay leaf or laurel skewer and grilled. It’s delicious!

Funchal is often compared to an amphitheatre that sits around its marina and we have to admit, it does make for a good show. The port which was built in the 19th century was a popular stopping point for many steamers crossing the Atlantic and was so until the Second World War.

The marina is great for a bit of boat spotting or watching the world go by but if its history you’re after then head to the Forte de Sao Tiago. At nearly 400 years old you can see the toll the sea has taken on this historic fort which was thought to have been built as a defence against pirates to protect the city of Funchal. Sometimes it is open for visitors to wander around the inside (at a fee, payable locally).

Funchal’s historic core has some buildings said to date back to the 15th century. In the area you’ll find charming and historic architecture, small alleyways and a lively atmosphere. Walk down the street of Santa Maria to experience the colourful and vibrant painted doors, that brought life back to the area after devastating floods. Or head to the Mercado dos Lavradores to experience some locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

The old town also has lots of restaurants and small shops, many selling local crafts. Keep an out for the beautiful black and white tiled floors, resembling a mosaic. Some are patterned whilst some depict people or objects.

Madeira is home to many museums and historic monuments but here’s a few popular ones...

  • Casa Museu Frederico de Freitas is not only a beautiful building but also offers a great collection of art and objects on display.
  • Museu da Eletricidade of Funchal is, as the name suggests, all around the history of electricity on the island, it might sound a little niche but its actually a really interesting display or engineering whilst detailing the history of the island – its also great value for money.
  • And then there's the CR7 museum, dedicated to the football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo who grew up in Madeira. You’ll find memorabilia and even a few of his trophies that follow and describe the timeline of his career.

For those looking to discover beautiful beaches they don't get more beautiful than on the island of Porto Santo, the ferry journey is a little long (about two and half hours) but it's well worth it. Porto Santo offers an impressive 9 kilometre stretch of beach which has golden sand and beautiful blue waters. Day trippers often go in search of health and wellness as these sands are said to have therapeutic properties. 
To get to the island and back make sure you plan your journey carefully as there’s only one outbound and inbound ferry departure per day from Funchal – for this reason, it is also strongly recommended that you book and pay for your return journey in advance.

Madeira offers a busy events calendar with many throughout the year from the Madeira roller Marathon to classic car events there’s lots to enjoy. Please be aware that some events are ticketed and may need to be booked and paid in advance, event dates are approximate and should be checked before booking. Here are a few of our favourite events listed below:

  • Madeira Flower Festival, usually held in April or May: Arguably Madeira’s most iconic festival, experience the parade, the flower carpets or the Wall of Hope amongst many other celebrations taking place across the event.
  • Carnival, usually held early to mid-February: Take in vibrant costumes, music and dance on the small parades travelling through the streets of Funchal and other events taking place across the city.
  • Madeira Rum Festival, usually held around mid-April: You’ll find local rum producers at this event along with a lively atmosphere and maybe even the chance to taste the product.
  • Madeira Classic Car Revival, usually held at the end of May: Car lovers and non-car lovers will enjoy this event, some of the best classic and vintage cars are brought in from across the region for spectators to marvel over.

Popular Guides

All Insider Guides