A lovely property
Review Submitted: June 3, 2008
Date of Stay: May 2008
This apartment certainly exceeded our expectations. It is spacious, well furnished, bright and airy. The balcony affords beautiful views of the gardens and the sea, and also overlooks the large, clean swimming pool which, incidentally, was only used by our son during our week's stay! The apartment contains everything you need, including a coffee maker and hair-drier and don't do as I did and take an iron with you!
There is some traffic noise at night but we were able to exclude this by having the bedroom door closed. If it were hotter, there is air-conditioning but if, like me, you are a very light sleeper and don't like this option, you might want to use ear-plugs.
We had hired a car and so followed the directions given to us by the owners which were very helpful. However, please note that when you see the apartments in front of you, it is necessary to cross over the dual carriageway and double back on yourself for a few metres.
The security arrangements are excellent - locked double gates for cars and a locked pedestrian gate, and, when we went out, we felt able to leave things in the apartment securely.
The walk into Funchal to the restaurants at the harbour is about 15 mins and about half an hour if you want to go to the old town where the more interesting restaurants are situated . Please note that there is about a ten minute walk uphill on the way back.
This was our second visit to Madeira and this time we found hiring the car gave us the freedom that we like, rather than depending on the whims of taxi drivers. (Although friends of ours swear by them and wouldn't dream of driving themselves!) Our drives into the mountains were breathtaking: on one occasion we escaped the rain of Funchal and emerged from the clouds into brilliant sunshine, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Altogether we enjoyed our stay enormously and the apartment contributed greatly. Unless you want to be waited on hand and foot, we can think of no advantages of staying in a hotel instead.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children,
Romantic Getaway
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Helpful votes: 11/23