Casa da Carochinha (Lady Bird), Madeira

Advantages: Excellent service, nice quite location
Disadvantages: No lifts or ramp for those with walking difficulties

...~Introduction~ During our holiday to Maderia recently we stayed at a very nice little hotel called Quinta da Casa Branca. It is part of the Estalagem hotel chain and is included on a list of small luxury hotels of the world. Our travel agent Expedia had this hotel down as four stars so we were surprised when we turned up to see that the hotel had five stars on the gate. So who was right Expedia or Estalagem? ~Location~ Madeira is off the coast of West Africa, it is an steep sided granite mass sat out in the Atlantic ocean. The capital of this small island is Funchal in a bay on the southern coast. Quinta da Casa Branca (QCB) is located in the relatively quiet holiday apartment area of Casa Branca. QCB is north of the main hotels along the cliffs and west of Funchal's city centre. The hotel is on a crescent shaped parcel of land... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful picturesque island, not too hot in summer
Disadvantages: Hilly, poor restaurants, no sandy beaches

...are of an older design, for example 'The Carlton'. It is a large block concrete about four storeys high near from where we stayed, it looked ugly from the outside, but apparently it is a good hotel to stay in with a five star rating. We stayed in a smaller modern hotel called 'Quinta de Casa Branca' which is also reviewed here on Ciao, it was a great hotel to stay in. Apartments in Madeira seemed few and far between, which is why we stayed at the QCB. I felt that generally the hotels in Madeira seemed to be well built and maintained. One thing you should try and make sure your hotel has is a decent swimming pool. The hotels along the front have the biggest and best pools, whilst our hotel had a good pool for the guests. A hotel with out a pool is not a problem if you are within a few minutes walk of the 'Lido' as this gives you good access... Read review

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Advantages: Good value tour.
Disadvantages: The weather can block the views.

...Valley. PAUL DA SIERRA Inhospitable yet Strangely Beautiful windswept Moorland Plateau about 4 to 5 thousand feet above Sea Level. BOCA DA ENCUMEDA One of the Best Lookout Points on the island, but depends on the Weather, it was Misty so can not comment on the View, but from the Rest must have been Stunning. The Guide was a very pleasant young lady who obviously Loved her Island and Culture, much information was gained, especially about the Life Cycle of The Banana Plant. I would point out this is a sightseeing Tour , although there were adequate stops for Coffee, and Lunch etc (Lunch not included in the price). Also unlike some Tours there are no SHOPPING STOPS, where you get locked into some local Carpet factory or Glass or Pottery Shop until you buy something. We were returned to Funchal for 16:50 to connect... Read review

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