Quinta d’Alegria
This traditional-style villa is in the peaceful hillside district of Caminho do Monte, with a breathtaking view across the island’s capital Funchal and out to sea. South-facing, the spacious garden has a large terrace and outdoor pool, ideal for sun-worshippers but with plenty of shade from the abundance of palms, avocado trees, scented camellias and luscious bougainvillea.
A small conservatory leads to a large open-plan lounge and dining area, with an open fire and French windows opening back onto the gardens. As you’d expect from a Madeiran villa, there’s well-equipped kitchen and breakfast room, with a laundry leading to a BBQ area and shower for use after swimming or sunbathing. Upstairs there are three large, light bedrooms: one ensuite double, a second double and a twin (with a shared bathroom for the latter two rooms). There’s also an open plan, double studio annexe next door to the main house, overlooking the garden and the pool.
We recommend including a car during your stay at Quinta d’Alegria, to allow you to explore the island and shop for supplies – smaller cars work better when you’re trying to manoeuvre into the garage. There’s an excellent Padaria bakery and cafebar which is a short five-minute walk from the quinta, where you can pick-up fresh bread in the mornings, and it’s a fifteen-minute drive into the centre of Funchal.
