Blue jeans and blue skies are part of the magic of Madeira. The casual chic of this slightly old-fashioned hotel can only remind French people of Jean-Pierre Mader’s ‘Macumba’, which was always part of ou summer nights. The hotel sits on the island – one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal – located on the same latitude as Marrakech. It counts as one of Churchill’s privileged destinations, and was recently upgraded by the Belmond group (LVMH). The Reid’s Palace can be associated with the jewels of the Amalfi Coast: a noble and powerful nest on the side of a cliff, overlooking a pontoon with a slightly vintage pool. If it weren’t for the ocean, you’d swear you were on the shores of the Mediterranean sea rather than halfway between Africa and South America. As for the interior design, a skillful mix between modern furniture and pieces from Portuguese colonial heritage provides a perfect balance. Surely one of our top destinations for the new year.