When holidaying in Madeira, most visitors base themselves in the capital, Funchal, a picturesque and welcoming city that overlooks the main harbour and is close to all the historic and natural attractions of the island. However, to get a real feel for the cultural heritage, by far the best option is to stay one of the island’s Quintas, spectacular manor houses surrounded by luscious gardens and built in a style of architecture unique to Madeira. Each Quinta, such as the Quinta da Casa Branca, is a former stately home of wealthy families, often English merchants, who settled in Madeira to capitalise on the flourishing wine trade.
A member of the ‘Small Luxury Hotels of the World’, Quinta da Casa Branca consists of two buildings set apart. There are five elegant and luxurious suites in the 19th-century Quinta that was once the family home of the Leacock family, a name synonymous with the finest Madeira wine. Each suite is individually designed and beautifully furnished with antique Portuguese furniture.
In contrast, a separate, very modern design hotel nestles beautifully into the surrounding gardens. Large glass windows take full advantage of the spectacular grounds and offer uninterrupted views of the ocean and the hills above the city.
A buffet breakfast is served at the Garden Pavilion Restaurant which is situated next to the main swimming pool. This restaurant also serves as a day-time and evening restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere serving everything from light snacks to set dinner menus. For those who prefer a fine dining experience in a more formal setting, the manor house features a distinctive dining room in a classic ambience serving the finest gastronomic, inventive and contemporary cuisine.
Other amenities include a second, adult-only private swimming pool, a health club equipped with a fitness training room, sauna, steam bath, hot tub and a relaxation room and two libraries.
The beautiful tropical gardens are quite spectacular and have three main areas of interest: the arboretum which occupies a strip to the north and presents a selection of large tropical and subtropical trees; the agricultural area consists of a banana plantation interspersed with avocado, mango trees and passion fruit vines; the garden slopes south of the main hotel building, with a host of trees that grip attention for their spectacular array of colours.
- Book your stay at Quinta da Casa Branca today.
- ‘Luxury Quintas of Maderia’ is published in Anthology Volume 13. Read more features from this volume or buy it now.
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