Funchal, the capital of Madeira, rises like an amphitheatre between the sea and the mountains. It's home to the historic palace hotels and most of the island's large hotels, often perched on the cliffs. In winter the air stays mild, but the water in an unheated pool cools quickly at night. Here are hotels and a villa with a heated pool or an indoor pool. I've selected 19 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Villa Alvinho (4.83/5).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
19 places shown
The pool. Private pool usable day and night, heated to 28 °C as an optional extra for the whole stay.
The pool comes up in 56 guest reviews – it's the topic mentioned most often.
Guide's tip. Heating costs €20 a day: confirm it at least a week before arrival to find the water warm.
The pool. Five pools: three outdoor and two indoor, plus a children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A new hotel with few reviews: read the latest ones before you book.
The pool. Mixed indoor pool advertised by the hotel as heated; three unheated outdoor pools.
The hot tub. Hot tub and sauna (there may be a charge).
Travellers rate the pool 9.5/10, but some found the outdoor pools too cold in January.
Guide's tip. In winter, rely on the indoor pool: the outdoor pools aren't heated.
The pool. Two heated outdoor pools.
The hot tub. Secluded outdoor hot tub.
A guest who stayed in February 2026 mentions two lovely heated pools and the hot tub.
Guide's tip. Ask about the water temperature if you're coming in the depths of winter.
The pool. An indoor pool and two outdoor pools reserved for suite guests.
One guest describes heated pools that are pleasantly warm. Another highlights how quiet the suites-only pools are.
Guide's tip. Few reviews so far: read the latest ones before you book.
The pool. Large heated outdoor pool surrounded by a broad terrace with sun and shade, plus a hot tub.
The hot tub. Open-air hot tub.
Oyster, which visits the hotels it reviews, counts the heated outdoor pool and the hot tub among the property's highlights.
Guide's tip. Ask reception about pool hours if you plan to swim early in the morning or in the evening.
The pool. Two indoor pools, two outdoor pools and a children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Guests praise the pools; one mentions a good indoor pool with sauna and hammam. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. A good choice for a sheltered swim in winter.
The pool. Three pools: one indoor and two outdoor, one of them on the roof. Heating isn't specified.
Guests love the rooftop pool and its view. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's opening hours.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor infinity pool. Heating of the indoor pool isn't specified; the outdoor pools aren't heated.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi.
The pools are popular, but according to the Kayak summaries, some travellers found the outdoor pools cold and unheated.
Guide's tip. In winter, go for the indoor pool and get its temperature confirmed.
The pool. Three pools: two heated pools on the main terrace and a seawater pool down by the ocean, reached by lift.
A guest who stayed in March describes the two heated terrace pools and the seawater pool below. Kayak reviews mainly praise how well the pools are kept.
Guide's tip. Only the two terrace pools are described as heated: in the seawater pool, expect ocean temperatures.
The pool. Several outdoor pools cascading down to a sheltered seawater pool; one heated pool.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Guests mention a heated pool, appreciated in winter according to a guest who came in January 2025.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is heated.
The pool. Heated rooftop pool (15 × 15 m, 1.20 m deep), open year-round, with a hot tub; hydrotherapy pool in the spa.
The hot tub. Rooftop hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The rooftop pool is due to close for works from 11 to 31 January 2027: check your dates.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pool, with hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask reception whether the outdoor pool will be heated during your stay; if not, fall back on the indoor pool.
The pool. Indoor pool as well as outdoor pools; hot tub and sauna.
Kayak reviews praise attractive, well-kept pool areas (pool rated 9/10), without mentioning the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Heating of the outdoor pools isn't advertised: the indoor pool is the safe bet in winter.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi.
Travellers rate the pools 8.5/10. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get the indoor pool's temperature confirmed.
The pool. Indoor pool at the spa, heated to 25 °C according to the hotel; two outdoor pools and a children's pool.
Travellers rate the pools 9/10. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. 25 °C is still on the cool side for some: check it's warm enough for you.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's opening hours.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Guests like the large pools and the access to the ocean. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the indoor pool's opening hours.
The pool. Indoor pool, outdoor pool and children's pool. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Hot tub among the facilities.
Guests like the covered pool; one notes that it's very busy, particularly with families.
Guide's tip. All-inclusive package: the pool is lively, especially during school holidays.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Villa Alvinho (Villa for rent · Airbnb), with 4.83/5 (100 reviews · Airbnb). Next come The Reserve - Savoy Signature (10/10) and Pestana Promenade (8.9/10).
Yes at Castanheiro Boutique Hotel: the pool is advertised as heated all year round. The Reserve - Savoy Signature, Pestana Promenade and Les Suites at The Cliff Bay have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 28 °C at Villa Alvinho and 25 °C at Pestana Royal All Inclusive. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Pestana Promenade, Quinta Jardins do Lago and Quinta da Casa Branca also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
Yes, one villa is selected: Villa Alvinho. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villa Valhalla (Airbnb) | Private pool advertised as heated, but only 6 reviews | 4,83/5 | Too few reviews to judge |
Sources: Airbnb.
