It had been over 20 years since I last visited Royal Savoy, and it remains just as outstanding as I remembered. We came for our honeymoon and were immediately welcomed by Miguel, the friendliest doorman with the biggest smile, who clearly adores his job and sets the tone from the moment you arrive. We stayed in room 1607, which featured a huge balcony and was beautifully furnished in the classic Royal Savoy luxury style. Housekeeping attends daily and manages to be impeccably thorough without ever being intrusive. Even for late risers, the room is quietly refreshed once you head out. Every member of staff is warm, polite and attentive without ever feeling overbearing. The resort itself is stunning, with immaculately maintained plants throughout, comfortable seating areas and elegant, high end furnishings. The pool area is spacious and thoughtfully designed, offering something for everyone. Whether you prefer poolside or seaside, there are always loungers available with plenty of space, and with two large pools plus direct sea access, it never feels crowded. The food is absolutely delicious, fresh, varied and consistently excellent across the different bars and restaurants. The picanha steak sandwich deserves special mention and is quite simply the best sandwich I have ever eaten. My husband and I shared four during our week because we could not resist. The sangria is always spot on, but if you are lucky enough to have Bruno make one, you are in for a treat. His version, with its cinnamon and mint twist, is pure joy in a glass. Thatchers Bar is a beautiful new addition, offering gorgeous views alongside the familiar friendly face of Gilberto. Even after so many years of service, he remains just as welcoming, professional and genuinely lovely as ever. Carlos on reception also deserves special praise. He went above and beyond with helpful tips, recommendations and warm conversations when we returned from evenings out. Truly exceptional service. The only aspect that slightly lets the resort down is the evening entertainment. While I understand the clientele tends to be older, it did not seem to suit them either, and we found it rather drab and dated. We much preferred enjoying live music at nearby bars or strolling into Funchal instead. That said, the location of the resort is excellent. There is an abundance of dining and drinking options just moments away, yet once inside the hotel it feels like a secluded paradise. Our room was always peaceful, with no noise from outside. Thank you to everyone for giving us the most perfect honeymoon. The Royal Savoy will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. Obrigado a todos por nos proporcionarem a lua de mel mais perfeita. O Royal Savoy terá para sempre um lugar muito especial nos nossos corações.
