Upmarket home with fabulous views
Review Submitted: 09 July 2010
Date of Stay: June 2010
The photos of this house barely do it justice. It is very attractively furnished and decorated with windows and balconies that make the most of the fantastic views.
LOCATION
The house is high up on a very steep hill which is quite a demanding walk, even for the nearby bars, small stores, pizzeria and bank. We relied on our car for just about every trip. The ER101 'fast' road is less than 5 minutes down the hill, via a choice of routes, of varying widths and gradients.
FACILITIES
Although the house only has two reception rooms and two bedrooms, these are all large and particularly nicely furnished. The house is also very well equipped, with far more kitchen equipment than you normally find in a holiday home. The dishwasher was much appreciated, as was the huge flat screen TV for the world cup. The rear garden is still getting established and has a large paved area around 2 sides of the lovely hilltop pool, plus an outside shower and seating.
ACCESS
Other than the staircase in the house, there is also a stairway down to the pool. Both are wide and would be accessible even to people with some reduced mobility. There is a gated and covered driveway alongside the house which requires some care when manouvering due to being narrowed by columns, our rental Megane was a tightish fit although we could open all the doors & boot once it was parked!
CALHETA
Calheta marina (with its Moroccan sand beach!) is just over a 5 minute drive away and we'd recommend the Blue Marlin down there for lunch or dinner, their seafood was excellent and we took one of their dolphin watching trips as well, (we saw more dolphins here than on any of our trips to the Indian Ocean or Med). There is a Dolce Vita supermarket opposite the marina which carries just about all you'll need for self catering.
PAUL DA SERRA
Driving up the hill from the house takes you through the tree line and onto the high plain and moorland of Paul Da Serra, as a complete contrast to the coastal landscape of cliffs and valleys.
WEATHER
The cliffs around Madeira seem to attract cloud fairly readily and the weather often varied accordingly, even in the short distance between sea level and the house. Answer - if the weather doesn't suit then just jump in the car and drive a little way to where it does!
SUMMARY
A lovely, well equipped, house in a dramatic setting. Roseann was very helpful with the booking and when we arrived, and both she and her husband keep the house and pool in spotless condition.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Romantic Getaway
Helpful votes: 36/37
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