As the first resort in Portugal for World of Hyatt’s all-inclusive collection, Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina opened on a secluded, eastern coastline of the island in October 2024. From here, energetic and historic Funchal is a 25-minute drive and the international airport is 15 minutes by car. New, nonstop flights to the United States on United Airlines connect Madeira with Newark.
This property was fully remodeled and expanded before opening under the Dreams brand. Madeira has quickly become a popular destination for more Americans thanks to its stunning landscape and culture. Here are five reasons why Dreams Madeira Resort, Spa & Marina is worth exploring.
The design
The resort is laid out like a Madeiran village, its buildings featuring signature red-tiled roofs. Pathways and stairways help navigate the hilly grounds, but golf carts are always on offer to avoid a sunny stroll.
Guests arrive to a main square with Portugal’s famous black and white-patterned stones. On one side is the picturesque San Lorenzo Catholic chapel that plays host to the many weddings and group events that take place here. It was here before the resort and now has been integrated into the design. Surrounding the plaza are chairs and tables that are part of the nearby restaurants and bars.
The main building is home to reception on one side and a popular lounge and cocktail bar on the other. Traditional Madeiran art and artifacts add to the sense of place.
Guest rooms have parquet wood floors, wide beds beneath whirling ceiling fans, side tables that can be easily moved to create a dining or desk setup, and complimentary minibar with beer, water, juice and snacks. Coffeemakers are a nice touch, even though the all-day coffee bar is a guest favorite. Some of the most popular room types open directly to a pool from their balcony.
Bathrooms are well thought out with soaking tubs, wide showers stocked with Pharmacopia toiletries in large pump bottles, towel hooks and vanities offering all kinds of extras like toothbrushes and combs.
Guests can earn or redeem World of Hyatt points for their stays at this resort, which is part of several other all-inclusive brands in Hyatt’s resort collection.
The Preferred Club
For an elevated experience, guests can book this special rate category that comes with access to a private lounge. Here, guests have private check-in and concierge services as well as a small library of books and boardgames.
On the terrace overlooking the square, chapel and ocean, they can enjoy all-day drinks from the open bar and a tasty spread of breakfast, snacks and sandwiches that change throughout the day.
For guests that want more space, including kitchen facilities, the resort has a variety of apartment-style residences that are ideal for families. These have their own separate entrance, near the family waterpark, and enjoy access to the club lounge in the main building.
The dining
One floor up in the main building, guests will discover the first of several restaurants on the property. All meals and most drinks (outside of a few top-shelf items) are included in the rates. It is this freedom from checking prices and wide range of options that most entices travelers.
Fado Club is the Madeiran restaurant just off the square. Its menu includes regional island dishes as well as modern takes on traditional Spanish and Portuguese food. Of course, Portuguese fado music plays in the background.
At Nouvelle Brasserie, the menu leans towards French cuisine while Sabor is home to Mediterranean options. Oishii is especially popular for its Asian fusion menu of sushi, noodle bowls, ramen and grilled meats. Three teppanyaki tables prepare the menu tableside with plenty of hoopla.
Top-shelf grilled meats and seafood are part of the steakhouse menu, which also has a private dining room for special events. World Café is the main restaurant, open for three meals a day inside or on a lovely terrace. It serves buffet fare with a bespoke grill station serving everything from burgers to steak and chicken. Nice touches include a sparkling wine selection and impressive tea station at the entrance.
The activities
Three swimming pools offer plenty of choice for adults although families spend their time at the main, two-tiered pool. That’s where splashing and entertainment are the focus, and a pool grill and bar incentivize the fun. Kids will love the help-yourself ice cream and popsicle freezer.
There is also a splash zone with waterslide and waterpark on one side of the resort. By the sea, a sectioned off area in the ocean is protected for swimming in the saltwater with the waves just beyond. This swimming area, as well as the black sand beach, is open to the public who park along the entrance road. Resort guests wear bracelets so that staff can identify them and serve them drinks and food should they wish.
An adults-only pool is far quieter with the exception of the splashing waterfall that adds to the relaxing ambiance. A converted truck pours complimentary bar drinks all day long.
Explorer’s Club features supervised, daily activities for children. Teenagers can mix and mingle in the Core Zone Teen Club while play table tennis or vintage video games.
Along the marina, a watersports center offers whale-watching tours and motorized watersport activities. There is also a marine research institute, ice cream shop, grocery store, sports bar and other boutiques. Open to the public for a fee, the dining venues are complimentary for resort guests.
The spa
Impressive in all aspects, the spa is an oasis in this Madeiran village. A small reception area gives way to the well-equipped fitness center with everything from free weights to boxing gear. Changing areas have showers, and a selection of teas and snacks is on offer while guests await their treatments.
Deep-tissue massage, collagen-inducing facials and seaweed body wraps are just some of the main treatments on the menu. The staff is excellent at catering to individual preferences. My facial with Marlene included a head and shoulder massage that was out of this world.
A separate hydrotherapy section includes an indoor heated pool with massaging jets, pummeling water spigots and underwater relaxation chairs. A glass-walled sauna and steam room are on one side with experience showers to cool off between sessions.
Be sure to reserve time to relax on the al fresco patio overlooking the marina and Atlantic Ocean.pursu
