Pestana Churchill Bay Hotel
Camara was once the busy centre of the Madeiran fishing industry, and takes it’s name from ‘lobos-marinhos’ – Portuguese for the ‘sea-lions’ which populated the bay back in the 15th century. Less-reliant on fishing than in past times, the town has gradually evolved into Funchal’s commuter belt, giving it’s popular cafe bars and restaurants more of a local-feel than the capital. It’s also a very pretty town, and it’s whitewashed houses seem to defy gravity as they cling to the steep ridges and terraced banana plantations that rise up from the coast.
Tucked neatly into the harbour wall, the Pestana Churchill Bay takes it’s inspiration from water colours Winston Churchill painted during a visit to the town in 1950. The spot where he set-up his easel and canvas was subsequently named the ‘Miradouro de Winston Churchill’ to commemorate his visit. It’s central location on the south coast make’s the Pestana an ideal base from which to explore the island by car – the secluded Curral das Freiras valley and the famous miradouro at Cabo Girao are a short drive away, or you could explore mountain and vineyards of the north with our resident guide.
