Casa das Vinhas is one of three charmingly restored air-conditioned gems that sit within the 4-acre working estate of Quinta Vista Alegre where bananas and vines are grown and century-old tropical gardens are tended. Astonishingly, this oasis of tranquillity is found in the main tourist zone of Funchal, near the sea and Belmond Reid's Palace Hotel.
Converted from the old Billiard House, Stables and Factor's accommodation the cottage walls are of original stone and interiors are spacious, characterful and well designed with top quality furnishings and equipment. The large swimming pool is shared with the owner and their family (for a few days of the year this may include family children). The front patio is shaded by vines and a shared seating area, surrounded by banana trees, has 4 chairs, table & sun umbrella, the perfect place for some light reading or for enjoying an evening drink.
Casa das Vinhas is on the ground floor and sleeps 2 guests. Entrance is directly into the living/dining room which is furnished to a high standard, some pieces locally crafted from wood from the estate. The sofa, two armchairs and the dining table seat up to 4 guests (ideal to share with friends/family staying next door) and there are table lamps for reading. There is a TV with cable & satellite channels, including German channels. The corner kitchenette has electric hob, combined microwave/oven, fridge, toaster and kettle and plenty of crockery/serving/cooking equipment.
The bedroom (with double king bed) has a fitted wardrobe with drawers (and small safe), vanity section with mirror and an en-suite bathroom with large shower, basin, bidet and W.C.
A private, electric entrance gate leads to a shared secure car park and a short, cobbled driveway. Casa das Vinhas is entirely on the ground-floor, ideal for those less mobile.
Linen, bath & pool towels and weekly cleaning are provided. There is a shared separate laundry room with washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board available for guests' use.
These villas in Funchal are adult only and do not accept children. The swimming pool may be used between 09:00 and 17:00. Free Wi-Fi and a Bluetooth speaker are available for guests' use.
Although air conditioned, an electric fan is provided in summer and a portable electric heater provided in winter months.
The 4 acre estate of Quinta Vista Alegre has been in the Zino family for 70 years, the owners being the third generation. The main house (currently occupied by the owners) was built around 1867. It is a working Quinta growing vines and bananas. Much of the garden was laid out by an English family, the Stanfords, between 1902 and 1912 and Charles Thomas-Stanford wrote "Leaves from a Madeira Garden" about his garden and the island.
Opposite the entrance to Quinta Vista Alegre (where the cottages are) is the entrance to Quinta Magnolia, previously an British Country Club which is now Government owned. Here you can enjoy beautiful gardens, a fitness circuit, and two tennis courts, all set in an area of about 40.000 square meters. Just down the street you have the two most prestigious hotels on the island, Belmond Reid's Palace, and the Savoy Palace. There are no other villas in Madeira that offer this mix of tranquil character and traditon with a central sought after location.
Nearby are other excellent hotels and a good variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, and small supermarkets. You can enjoy sea swimming at the public Lido about 1 km by foot, or you may just want to walk along the coast in this area. Funchal town centre is only a 20 minute leisurely stroll away (less than 2 kilometres).
Buses/taxis are close and frequent. A car is not essential but advisable to explore this beautiful island.
Booking notes
ARRIVALS MAY BE ON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK, EXCEPT SUNDAYS
The cottages are adult only and children under 18 are not permitted. Maximum occupancy in each cottage is 2 people.
The advertised prices are based on a 2-person occupancy.
To secure your reservation, a deposit of 30% of the rental value is required, or the full amount if within 8 weeks or arrival, and the balance is due 8 weeks prior to arrival. Should you cancel up to 8 weeks prior to arrival only the deposit is non-refundable, and within this period the full amount.
Final details for check-in and driving instructions to the property will be sent 7 days prior to arrival. A contact number will be provided, and to be able to access the property, you need to phone this number as you are leaving the airport. It is your responsibility to contact and advise the number provided on the check-in details to advise any delays to the expected check-in time.
Check-in times - at the property - are between 16H00 and 19H00. For out of hours check-in, alternative arrangements will be made and an additional cost will apply.
Check-in and check-out flexibility will be applied where possible, but this will depend on housekeeping schedules and the departure and arrival days of other reservations either side of your stay; a definitive answer can only be provided within 24 hours of your arrival for check-in and your departure for check-out.
This property is registered and has an Alojamento Local lodging license nº65910/AL
The payment of a Tourist Tax has been implemented for all arriving visitors on or after 01 October 2024 across all of Madeira and Porto Santo by the local Municipalities.
This applies to all visitors to Madeira aged 13 or over, and costs 2€ per person per day up to a maximum of 14€ per person.
Your accommodation is responsible for collecting these amounts and paying them on your behalf to the applicable municipality.
Pets - not allowed
PLEASE TELEPHONE MRS. ELIZABETH ZINO ON 00351 963 209 483 AS YOU ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT Please print these driving instructions and have them with you when you arrive in Madeira.
If you have a car and are driving to your cottage, please follow these instructions. Using GPS will take you via old and less easy roads and unusual locations:
From the airport, take the motorway in direction of Funchal.
Leave at junction 9, signed to “Funchal, Hospital, and Porto” which you should reach in about 15-20 minutes. This can be tricky as you must be in the fast lane on the left and you bear left onto the slip road, which then curves sharply round to the right to join the other motorway merging from the right.
Continue down the hill to a big roundabout. Take the second turning off the roundabout, (i.e. straight on) leaving the Hospital on your right. (“Funchal and Av. do Mar”).
Carry on down a long hill to fourth set of traffic lights and turn right to “Lido”, over a wide bridge.
Immediately after the bridge, bear right up the hill, leaving a statue of a man flying through the air with a dove in his hand on your left, into Rua Dr Pita with Enotel (Quinta do Sol) on your right.
We are the “Quinta” on your left with three gates, 5, 7, and 9 at the top, behind a pink cement wall but the one way system obliges you to go up the hill to the roundabout to come down again and turn in to our dark green metal gate, number 9.
As you come off the roundabout the green gate is IMMEDIATELY ON YOUR RIGHT. (Look across as you come up to the roundabout). Someone will be waiting for you there but if not, please ring Buffy’s mobile (00351963209483) or whoever you have been asked to contact.
The gate is rather narrow and it helps if you can keep to the upper side on entering. Drive straight in to the parking lot on your left.
COTTAGE ADDRESSCasa das Vinhas/Loja da Lenha/Casa do FeitorRua Dr. Pita 99000-089 FunchalMadeira
GPS COORDINATES32.64321899591104,-16.926090717315674
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FOR THOSE HIRING A CAR IF YOU HAVE RESERVED A CAR THROUGH USAs you have reserved your car hire through us, a representative of the car hire company will be waiting for you at the airport.Outside the arrival's hall, you will see a meeting point, please look for the car hire representative carrying a board displaying their name ATLANTIC RENT A CAR. You will be taken to collect the car, sign the documents and pay the rental value. If you do not see them immediately please allow 10 minutes (especially if your flight has arrived ahead of schedule), as the representative may well be transporting another customer. This is a quick process and does not involve wasting time queuing at the car hire desks.FOR THOSE HAVING TRANSFERS IF YOU HAVE RESERVED AIRPORT TRANSFERS THROUGH USA representative of the minibus company will be waiting for you at the airport. Outside the arrival's hall, you will see a meeting point, please look for the transfers representative carrying a board displaying your name on it. The contact numbers are Marco +351 919 594 505 or office +351 291 602 340
