Prices shoot up at Christmas/New Year and during Carnival. Reid’s Palace (Estrada Monumental 149, 291 717 171, www.reidspalace.orient-express. com, €445-€605) is sumptuous and there are plenty of other options in the Hotel Zone, such as the Casino Park (Rua Imperatriz Dona Amélia, 291 209 100, www.pestana.com, €160-€260) or the Carlton Madeira (Largo Antonio Nobre 2, 291 239 500, www.pestana.com, €140-€170). The big new resort is Vila Porto Mare (Rua Simplício Passos de Gouveia 2, 291 703 700, www.portobay.pt, €139-€178). Near the old town, the charming Quinta Bela São Tiago (Rua Bela São Tiago 70, 291 204 500, www.hotel-qta-bela-s-tiago.com, €150-€305) is on a more human scale yet has pool, garden and gym.

Of the budget options, Pensão Astória (Rua de João Gago 10, 4º, 291 223 820, www.pensaoastoria.com, €22-€25) is central, but some rooms share a bathroom. At Residencial Zarco (Rua da Alfândega 113, 291 223 716, €27-€34), rooms have showers and TVs.

[top]