October 2009

This was our second holiday at" Vista Mar" and it was just as good as the first time, Once again it took a couple of days to unwind but with the help of the fresh air and the relaxing views of the Atlantic from the patio we soon chilled out. And of course the warm welcome from Sylvia ,Bill and Derek. Hiring a car at the airport was easy and an easy drive to Estreito da Calheta( which is well worth exploring) where you find "Vista mar", There is plenty of sight seeing to be done and for those who like walking then there are the Lavada's ,Then to finish the day off a swim in the sea at the beautiful sandy beaches in Vila Calheta which is only 5 mins. away by car, where you also find some bars and restaurants . For a small island there is plenty to see and do

a lovely place, spacious, very well-maintained, very clean with all we needed to spend wonderfull stay. The very nice and tidy terrace and garden. A wonderfull sightseeing over the ocean. We appreciated the quiet.
The owner provided all details about shops, restaurants, services, interesting places to see, plans of the island, roads...
I'll warmly recommend this property to friends.
About activities: don't forget that Madeira is not a place for spending time on the beach even if there are some with sand. Enjoy the montains, the flowers, the nature. About restaurants, go to Covento das Vinhas, in Estrela.
About food: go to the supermarket in Calheta for fresh fish. Go to the Marcado dos Agricultores in Prazeres for fruits and vegetables. Ask the owner all the details, he will gently explain you everything you want.
Have a good stay in Vista Mar !!!

It was our first, but not our last stay in Madeira. We had a great time in this wonderful little house, it is very clean and has a good kitchenequipment, you have all things you need if you want to cook. It's also an good location exploring the island and the levada walks. There are some good restaurants in Prazeres and Calheta, where you can eat fresh fish (I love Espada with bananas and mangosauce) and Calheta has also two little sandbeaches.
To have more sun and a better seaview from the sunterrace, the owner has to cut this big avocadotree and the bellflowerhedge a little bit. We will recommend this property to our friends and say thank you very much Derek, Sylvia and Bill.

If you don't mind the neighbourhood dog barking all night, this is the perfect place to stay. Very quiet, clean, equipped with everything you need in a holiday home. Not to forget the great hosts, who are always there with advice and recommendations if needed. As is true for almost every holiday home on Madeira, a rental car is helpful if you want to get around.
Would always spend my holidays at Vista Mar again and can highly recommend it to couples looking for a quiet retreat.

We stayed in Vista Mar in April 2009. The property was exceptionally well presented and spotlessly clean. It was also well equipped with everything you may need. The location was in a selcluded area, great for visitors who like peace and quiet, and the patio was fantastic with views over the sea and mountains. The owners were very friendly and helpful. We would be more than happy to book again and would recommend Vista Mar to visitors who like to get away from it all.

Lovely quiet location with a private patio which you can walk out onto straight from the kitchen and lounge, a great place for a sunny breakfast in the morning and to sit out and enjoy a glass of Madeira in the evening catching the last rays of the sun.

Nice to know the owners: Bill, Sylvia and Derek were close by should we require anything.

Excellent location as not far from the main roads to the coast and mountain. Many of the best levada walks are within easy reach by car.

Clean and well equipped with everything you should need for a pleasant and comfortable stay.

Highly recommended.

We arrived to a very warm and friendly welcome to a little gem of a villa, it was better than described on the web site very clean and tidy and with every thing catered for, from a welcome package of food,towels,tea towels,laundry room if required and the owner just down the road if needed.
The location was great hidden amonst grape vines and banana plantations with a breath taken view of the sea an idea place for a totaly relaxing holiday or a base to explore madeira and only 1/2 mile off the main express way.
I would recomend" Vista mar" to any one visting Madeira,
which is a relaxing island with friendly poeple and great food with a renge of atractions for all tastes and a range of restaurants only a short distance away with a loverly beach and safe swimming in Vile Calheta.
We came home feeling we had a real holiday and totaly relaxed, we can't wait to go again next year.

We first went to Vista Mar in november 2007.Had'nt know each other that long and didnt' know what to expect as i'm normally a Canary isle,Greece,Spain ect sort of girl.So we booked it last minute,hired a car and went for it .On arrival the weather ws much warmer than at home,the people a whole lot freindlier and Maderia a lot cleaner. From Funchal we made our way to Calheta and Vista Mar where we had a very warm welcome from Bill,Sylvia and Derek.The villa is perfect..it's cosy and homely yet spacious very clean and well equiped with a great patio,and brilliant view's..Then in April found ourselves thinking of a holiday again and both decided it had to be Vista Mar and yet again the same warm welcome from Bill,Sylvia and Derek and a fantastic relaxing break..Thanks to you all and the new additions Sue +Jeff