Reid's Palace, A Belmond Hotel

Reid’s Palace is a beautiful hotel! Very old English style, with impeccable service from the staff from the moment you step foot in the lobby. They will greet you by name every time you see them once you're checked in, remember drink preferences, make polite conversation and answer any questions you have about the hotel at any time. It really is the staff who make it so special here!

The decor is, as expected, relatively old-fashioned but spotlessly clean and not tired. A marble lobby with the famous black and white checked terrace, plush carpets through the hallways and rooms, mahogany panelled elevators, grand pianos dotted around the lobby and main entrance floor, with cabinets lining the walls full of items from Reid's history.

We stayed in a Deluxe Junior Suite on the first floor, with a private terrace looking out after the gardens and the sea. Plenty of space, a lovely deep bathtub and an enormous bed! All the soft drinks in the minibar are complimentary and restocked every day, and there are coffee and tea making facilities in the room.

Breakfast is extensive, of a very high quality, and includes sparkling wine! A mixture of buffet and a small a la carte menu you can order fresh from as well, with a different juice of the day and amuse bouche (normally a little pastry) every day.

The Villa Cipriani restaurant was a real highlight of the trip as well, excellent Italian food made with a Madeiran twist, with a gorgeous view over the bay.

In my opinion, the real highlight of Reid's are the outdoor areas, particularly the sea deck and tidal pool. There are at least 20 sun loungers dotted around the deck, and there are a few different areas so it never feels crowded. The diving boards right into the sea are such a lovely touch as well, so fun but still retaining the traditional English elegance of the property.

Top tip: there are lots of activities on offer, including complimentary pilates classes, tours of the hotel, picnics in the grounds and loads more. There's a small book in each room with a list of everything on offer and what days they run.