The Clifftop Water Experience
Madeira’s rugged volcanic topography means sandy beaches are rare; instead, island life is defined by clifftop lookouts, natural lava tidal pools, and terraced resort solariums. Pestana Casino Park capitalizes on its cliff-edge vantage point through an expansive outdoor freshwater swimming pool nestled inside manicured lawn borders.
Surrounded by tall date palms, blooming bird-of-paradise flowers (Strelitzia reginae), and native dragon trees (Dracaena draco), the outdoor pool area features teak loungers and parasols with sweeping views of the harbor breakwater. A separate shallow paddling basin allows younger guests to swim safely without disrupting lane swimmers.
Indoor Heated Thermal Basin & Magic Spa
A quiet subterranean sanctuary featuring high glass atriums, hydrotherapy jets, and specialized botanical treatment suites.
The Indoor Spa & Thermal Circuit
For days when Atlantic trade winds bring brisk air or afternoon rain showers from the central mountain peaks, the hotel's indoor wellness centre provides a sheltered retreat. The facility includes:
- Heated Indoor Pool: Maintained at approximately 28°C to 30°C throughout the year, featuring swan-neck hydrotherapy waterfalls and counter-current swimming sections.
- Finnish Dry Sauna: Pine-lined thermal room operating at 80°C–90°C to encourage circulation and post-hike muscle recovery after exploring Madeira’s levadas.
- Turkish Bath (Hammam): A humid steam environment infused with eucalyptus essential oils to clear respiratory pathways.
- Jacuzzi & Whirlpool: Recessed hot tub positioned alongside floor-to-ceiling glass looking out onto sunken courtyard greenery.
- Fitness Centre: Fully outfitted with cardiovascular treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, free weights, and resistance cable systems.
The Subtropical Gardens: Burle Marx Influence
The hotel grounds are as architecturally significant as the buildings themselves. Landscaped during the late 1960s with input following Roberto Burle Marx’s modernist garden design school, the park features a collection of over 100 plant species from around the globe. Walking paths wind beneath jacaranda trees, hibiscus hedges, Norfolk Island pines, and century-old bougainvillea vines that drape over rough volcanic basalt retaining walls.
The garden also incorporates quiet reading pergolas, stone chess tables, and scenic lookout terraces where visitors can watch local fishing smacks and large transatlantic passenger liners enter Funchal harbour.
| Facility | Operating Schedule | Water Temperature | Guest Access Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Main Pool | 08:00 – 19:00 (Daily) | Ambient / Solar seasonal (approx. 20–24°C) | Complimentary for all hotel guests |
| Children's Splash Pool | 08:00 – 19:00 (Daily) | Ambient (Shallow 0.45m depth) | Complimentary; adult supervision required |
| Indoor Heated Pool | 08:00 – 20:00 (Daily) | Heated (28°C – 30°C) | Complimentary; swim cap may be requested |
| Thermal Sauna & Steam | 10:00 – 19:30 (Daily) | Sauna 85°C / Steam 45°C | Complimentary (Age 16+) |
| Magic Spa Treatments | 09:00 – 19:00 (By Booking) | Climate controlled massage cabins | A la carte pricing per treatment menu |
Wellness Advice for Island Hikers
Madeira is famed for steep mountain trails (Vereda do Arieiro) and damp levada canal paths. After traversing 12 to 15 kilometers of basalt stairs and uneven volcanic stone, visitors benefit greatly from alternating between the thermal jacuzzi and the cold dip shower in the spa circuit. Scheduling a deep tissue or localized leg massage through the Magic Spa front desk 24 hours in advance is strongly recommended during the peak trekking months of April through October.