Aqua Natura Madeira, Porto Moniz, Madeira

The resort is in the northwest corner of the island, around 45 minutes from Funchal and 50 minutes from the airport. You're in the heart of Porto Moniz with a prominent position close to the seafront; it's a compact, cheerful seaside resort famous for its Piscinas Naturais (seawater swimming pools) built into the lava rocks, to which hotel guests get complimentary admission. The picturesque Forte São João Baptista, standing opposite the hotel, is home to the Aquário da Madeira with 12 tanks of marine life. For a scary thrill, the cliffside cable car at Achada da Cruz, a 20-minute drive west, is one of the steepest in Europe.

By plane: there are direct flights to Madeira from London and Manchester (4 hours). The hotel is one hour's drive from the airport. Free parking on-site. Book flights to Madeira.

The hotel is built in an ocean-facing curve with three floors of rooms set above a combined lobby, bar and restaurant on the ground floor. A pair of cane swing chairs hanging by the entrance establish a playful mood, while colourful sofas combine with geometrically-patterned wallpaper, bare bulb lighting and blonde wood to create an uplifting mood.

There is a small, ground-floor fitness centre with natural light that is also open to non-residents. You'll have to take your bags to your room yourself and there is no turn-down service in the evening.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Seaside location
• Swimming pool
• Spa
• Fitness centre
• Free parking
• Free Wi-Fi

All rooms look to the sea and have a balcony. Interiors are simple with pops of colour and headboards covered in striped Portuguese textiles. Bathrooms have a combined bath and shower with branded white towels on a bamboo ladder.

Room types: Twin Room Sea View, Double Room Sea View

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with Algotherm toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

The brightly-lit Lapa Restaurant, named after the island's abundant limpets, is dominated by a long breakfast bar where the decent buffet includes freshly-squeezed orange juice, Madeiran honey cake and sparkling wine. An all-day menu covers all the bases from a vegan burger to surf and turf, but the ambience is not intimate and marred by people traipsing to and from the gym. You'll find plenty more dining options a stroll away, including the well-established fish restaurant Cachalote perched on the rocks.

Lapa: buffet breakfasts and all-day dining. Dishes include burgers and surf and turf, with vegan options. Open daily.