Perfect villa for two amongst the locals
Review Submitted: May 4, 2011
Date of Stay: April 2011
I would like to say that despite wanting to visit Madeira for many years and researching it thoroughly before we went, it still managed to easily surpass our expectations. Consequently, we will definitely be visiting again.
The villa was exactly as described and can easily accommodate 5 people, with one large bedroom with a double bed and an even bigger bedroom with a double bed and a single (spaced well apart).
There was ample storage and also plenty of hangers (unlike many hotels - I hate it when I can't hang ALL of my clothes up).
The villa was clean and well maintained with everything you need to cater for a small family or 4 adults, although being just the two of us, we only did breakfasts and one evening meal (eating out was soooo good)!
Having car hire we explored much of the island (final tally 995 km) and decided that we had made the best choice of location. A nice, strung-out village with no tourists and local people who were extremely warm and welcoming. The people at the bar next door treated us like family and we had a 'barbecue for two' at the next bar along which was fantastic and unbelievably inexpensive.
Access to the 'Rapido' is literally 2 minutes away making it very quick to get anywhere. Once you get used to the roads, the following times including getting parked, are realistic (driving safely):
Airport: 15 minutes
Machito beach: 10-12 minutes
Santana (supermarket): 5-7 minutes
Down to Porta da Cruz itself: 5 minutes (winding road)
Nuns Valley (Rapido and country road): 40-45 minutes
Pico do Arieiro: 40 minutes (2nd visit - the first visit you're stopping all the time to take in the neverending views)
Being in the NE (at the end of April) we had a fair bit of cloud at times although the afternoons were generally sunny. However, Madeira can have '3 seasons in one day' and a 10-15 minute drive to the South pretty much always delivered the sun.
If you don't want car hire, there is a bus stop almost opposite and we were aware that the busses were frequent in both directions (not because of noise but because we used to see them while playing cards on the balcony - the villa is actually set back from the road, not directly on it).
When we return, it will definitely be to Cruz, staying in this villa with its wonderful view down the valley.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Tourists without a Car,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Romantic Getaway
Owner's Response: Thank you to our guests for their comments!
To book our villa is very easy, quick and smoth, you can do so by email or phone and we reply to you within the hour of your enquiry. We pride ourselves in providing a good personal service helping you with any information that you might need to make your holiday a memorable one!
At a great price this traditional villa is confortable and is situated in a fantastic setting with beautiful sea and mountain views.
Madeira is an all year around holiday destination with temperatures between 14 and 23 degrees celcius.
If you like walking there are many beautiful levadas walks just commencing by the front door, “Referta”, Levada do Casteleijo” “Penha D’Aguia” and others.
If you like partying then book with us form July to September and you will endulge yourself with lots of festivals around the Island where food, drink, live music and friendly people await to welcome you!
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
Helpful votes: 2/2
