A conversation with André Gonçalves, Director of Sé Boutique Hotel

Nestled in the heart of the Madeiran capital Funchal is the chic and welcoming Sé Boutique Hotel. A member of Unique Boutique Stays, Sé Boutique Hotel delivers a stylish, comfortable base to explore this dramatic island and its historic capital. The Luxury Report caught up with hotel Director André Gonçalves to find out more.

TLR: Give us an idea of what to expect at Sé Boutique Hotel.
André Gonçalves: Sé Boutique Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel in a premium location, right in the heart of Funchal, the capital of Madeira. We have 54 rooms, our restaurant O Calhau, a terrace cocktail bar with magnificent views, and a stylish indoor pool. According to those who visit us, it’s undoubtedly the place to stay in Madeira.

TLR: What makes the hotel stand out from others in the area?

AG: What definitely makes the difference is our staff and our incredible location. Personalised service and attention to detail from a team that’s always willing to
go the extra mile to fulfil our guests’ requirements. Of course, the quirky style of décor, the ambiance and the stunning views from the rooftop also makes us stand out from the other hotels in the area.

TLR: Tell us a little about the location.

AG: We are a city hotel, and just a few minutes away from the historic cathedral. Location is one of our best assets, and our guests can easily explore all Funchal’s main attractions on foot. This includes the historic Old Town, the Farmers’ Market, the cable car and the Marina. Besides that, we are surrounded by restaurants, bars and shops, but lucky enough to be tucked away in a quiet street away from traffic.

TLR: You’ve touched upon the décor, what’s the inspiration here?
AG: As a cosmopolitan, urban hotel, our aim was to combine various Madeiran culture and traditions. The unique characteristics of the cathedral’s tiles were a source of inspiration both in our rooms and communal spaces. Alongside our uplifting and vibrant décor, there is luxury and a touch of “quirkiness”, which captures the playful spirit of the island. There is artwork from different eras throughout, all of which makes our guests feel like this is a homely, but exciting destination.

TLR: Which amenities are available in the hotel rooms?
AG: All rooms are equipped with air conditioning, wi-fi, a smart TV, a coffee machine, a mini bar, a safe and a hairdryer. Water, coffee, and tea are at your disposal in every room, as well as shower gel and body lotion in every bathroom.

TLR: Tell us more about your tranquil rooftop bar.
AG: Every bit as charming as the hotel, our Terrace Bar is a colourful and lush rooftop oasis. With panoramic views of Funchal, you can enjoy both the mountains and the ocean – especially when it comes to Madeira’s famous sunsets. With a garden-like décor, this a premium cocktail rooftop bar, perfect to sit, relax and enjoy the atmosphere. It serves some really unique and tasty signature cocktails, along with champagne, afternoon tea, brunch, snacks and dinner.

TLR: Describe some of the experiences the hotel offers, and any other exciting news on the horizon?
AG: A range of signature experiences seek to combine our guests’ interests with the local culture, creating long- lasting and special memories of their stay with us. We offer spa treatments, a private indoor pool, afternoon tea, workshops, classic car tours, photoshoots and picnics.

In terms of future plans, we have just launched our new website, with a brand-new design that resembles our image and personality. Besides that, we have united with our sister properties Villa Alto Boutique Hotel and Villa Camélia Boutique House, to create a company group – Unique Boutique Stays. Finally, a new transfer service Unique Transfers is now available.

Further information – seboutiquehotel.com/en/