Faja dos Padres

​If you are looking for a standard hotel experience, keep driving. But if you want to wake up in a small cottage (Tia da Maria) perched directly above the Atlantic Ocean, Fajã dos Padres is an absolute gem. However, such a unique location comes with its own set of quirks. ​The Magic ​The setting is nothing short of spectacular. Our cottage featured a living area, kitchen, separate bedroom, and bathroom, but the highlight was the terrace. Sitting there, overlooking the vast ocean on the south side of Madeira, felt like being at the end of the world. The peace and quiet are unparalleled. ​The Practicalities (and Flaws) ​While the welcome was very friendly, we would have appreciated a bit more help with our luggage and a brief introduction to the cottage. Potential guests should also be aware of a few 'flaws': ​Parking & Access: Parking is available at the top of the cable car, but it’s not guaranteed during public hours (08:00–19:00). The staff will move your car to a secure spot once space opens up, but you are effectively "tethered" to the cable car schedule. Between 22:00 and 08:00, you are secluded in this paradise—plan accordingly! ​The Cottage: The interior is functional but shows its age. There is some concrete decay in the hallway, which can be a bit messy. In the kitchen, the electric stove can be temperamental and sometimes shuts off unexpectedly. We also missed having a sharp knife and scissors. ​Water & Power: The tap water is desalinated seawater and can have a slight brownish tint. While the taste is fine, we preferred buying bottled water for drinking. The walk-in shower is visually dated but provides a lovely hot shower. ​Wildlife: You are in nature here! Expect the loud, rhythmic chatter of Kuhl's petrel (Shearwaters?) from the cliffs early in the morning, and we even had an owl enjoying a noisy midnight snack on our roof.

If I really have to write down negative comments too, well here they are: Late starting hour of breakfast (but exceptions are possible!)/ tap water is very soft, desalinated seawater - bit brownish / bit detoriated but lovely cottage at sea coast/ no real parking lot at cottage site (although we never experienced any parking problems)/ you've got to be willing to adapt to openings hours of cable lift (although exceptional earlier or later use is possible - e.g. to catch a plane)/ cable lift opens at 8:00 and stops at 19:00 hrs (however going out to eat in the evening can if you return between 21:00 - 22:00hrs)/ electricity issues (not in line with todays high standards like in Belgium)/ local wild life (mice, spiders,...) can enter the house unexpectedly

fantastisch paradijs achtig plekje

This place is like a beautiful dream come true. Or even better than that. Nestled among mango groves and banana plantations on the edge of the mainland by the ocean, separated from the rest of the world by a high cliff, the cottages are spacious and cozy. Each place is unique in its own way, possessing a sense of completeness. It is a place where the passage of time changes. That is why it is so good that many elements were preserved during the renovation and original natural materials were used. Wooden shutters and frames, stone floors, simple furniture, small cracks on the tiles - all this conveys the spirit and unique character of the place. The beds are very comfortable, the linen and towels do not smell of artificial fragrances, leaving room for the scents of the ocean, the sun, the grass... Many different herbs grow between the houses. And throughout the day, unforgettable aromas follow one another. A pleasant surprise was a piece of homemade soap made from avocado oil. It was a mind-blowing experience of protected solitude, when the lift stops working and you find yourself practically alone with yourself and nature. Just the breath of the ocean, the sound of the wind, and the setting sun sinking into the waves. Breakfasts were a very pleasant surprise for us. The very fact of having breakfast by the ocean is something that cannot be described in words, but add to the ocean and the morning sun freshly squeezed mango or orange juice, excellent coffee, and fresh pastries, banana, cherry, papaya, and mango jams (all local), homemade yogurt and granola, bread with tuna or a melting slice of salmon with avocado... Very friendly staff, pleasant conversation, and a leisurely morning... Dinner also exceeded our expectations. The swordfish was out of this world. If you want to stay for dinner, you need to let the restaurant staff know by 3:30 p.m. and be there by 4:00 p.m. The kitchens in the cabins are pleasing in their simplicity and authenticity.

Alle waren sehr freundlich und zuvorkommend und sind gerne auf meine Wünsche eingegangen. Das Frühstück war super lecker und so viel, dass ich gar nicht alles geschafft habe. Mir wurde angeboten den zweiten Teil einzupacken, sodass ich es mitnehmen und abends essen konnte. Jeder Gang über die Anlage ist ein Highlight: Eidechsen, Katzen, Vögel, Schmetterlinge und unzählige wunderschöne Blumen. Ich war im Februar hier, kaum vorzustellen wie schön es im Sommer sein muss. Abends hat man Ausblick auf einen traumhaften Sonnenuntergang und wird vom Rauschen der Wellen in den Schlaf geschaukelt.

De prachtige locatie, de keuken met bbq, de fijne douche. Bedden ook prima

Was reasonable

All reasonable

Stunning location

Breakfast repetitive and not really healthy