Valle Paraizo

We really liked the house Alhinho we stayed in. Nice cosy living room, big kitchen, big comfortable beds with amazing pillows. The surroundings of the house Alhinho were also beautiful. We visited during March/April and everything around was blooming or was green, a beautiful apple orchard. The house had a beautiful private terrace/garden, which we did not manage to use because of the bad weather. The house was equipped with a bathtub and hot water flowed immediately and was really warm, I was so happy after a hike in the rain. We did not have breakfast in this accomodation.

At the time of our stay it was a bit colder and rainy in Madeira. Although there were 2 electric radiators in the house, they were not enough to heat all 3 rooms especially when it was raining outside. There was therefore a big temperature difference between the kitchen, where there was no radiator, and the living room, where there was a radiator. But we managed, the radiators could be moved from one room to another.

The location is superb.

It really felt like a home away from home! Private and relaxing location, beautiful surroundings and everything you needed was there. The beds were really comfortable! Sofia, the owner, was really helpful and friendly and welcomed us with a fantastic sourdough bread. Thanks for everything, we would definitely like to come back!

The ventilation could have been better, at times it was a bit humid in the cabin even though we had the dehumidifier on.

Beautiful location, in the mountains and forests. Comfortable bed and great shower and bath. Easy check in and parking. Great to get away from the business of the city and to be close to nature and animals. Fresh bread on arrival was a treat and the peacocks and levada close by to walk along. Lovely sun in the morning in January until about 3:30-4pm in the garden to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

The kitchen could have had some more knifes and a sharp ones too, better chopping boards and bigger plates but we managed to make some good meals. The fire didn't draw properly and damp timber so was quite smokey into he room and took a whole box of firefighters to burn the wood we laid in the open fire the first night. The electric heater was ample as it was a small space to heat so didn't use the open fire again. There was a surcharge that we were told on arrival as it was in Santa Cruz district of 2 euros per person per night. This we were not aware of so just letting you know.

The place is absolutely stunning. The views are amazing, the house is so pretty and beautifully designed. The kitchen has everything you need if you decide to stay in and cook for yourself on a rainy day (which we did). We were there over New Years avoiding the crowds of Funchal and its firework craze. Loved the quiet and the green. It's very private. Sofia is super organised and welcoming. There are wonderful walks starting right at Valle Paraizo. The pretty Camacha is a short walk away and we'd gone there for lunch and dinner a few times. We don't drive and got there and back from Funchal very easily by bus, bus stop is right by the entrance of the property. Peacocks walking around our house were delightful and added to the magical feel of the place, along with the beautiful trees, other birds and flowers.

The owner's dog gets excited every time one enters or exits the place and barks for quite some time. This didn't spoil anything though.

Bolota is tiny but perfectly formed and ideal for a couple. It is beautifully located, thoughtfully designed, immaculate throughout and was a delightful place to stay. The support (messages to show you the way to find it, including a video, answers to questions etc) was superb.

Very little - it was lovely. I would like to have known that there is an immediately neighbouring property which reduces the privacy but, as it happened, this was largely unoccupied and so not an issue.

Absolutely amazing place, perfect for island exploration! Sofia is a perfect host. Breakfasts organised "remotely" = food delivery is good solution for this place. You have a lot of privacy in here.

Only thing to mention is that place is a little bit colder (mainly in evenings).

Valle Paraizo, paradise valley, as the name implies, is an oasis of 'old madeira' in all its charm and beauty. Our accommodation was a former estate worker's cottage sympathetically renovated to deliver comfortable holiday accommodation with an extensive garden with its own path up to a nearby levada , itself a footpath to Monte. At least two restaurants are within walking distance, the nearest being about 800m, Tijuca. Here, we enjoyed espetada (skewered char-grilled steak) as good as you'll get anywhere. Note: cards not accepted at Tijuca but this is far from insurmountable as there is a cash machine at the very well-stocked Continente supermarket just five minute's walk further into the village. From Valle Paraizo it is a short drive to the Botanical Gardens and the Palhiero (Blandy) Garden; and about half an hour's drive to the highest drivable point of the island, Pico Arieero. Here, the views and walks are breath-taking, and that's an understatement.

This is an observation, not a criticism - the wardrobe was in the bathroom and the indoor dining table is small. Nothing can be done about either of these. That said, the outside table is fine, and a beautiful place to enjoy breakfast surrounded by a wonderful garden, blackbirds and, sometimes, peacocks.

Location, quiet neighborhood. Privacy and great communication.

Smell of mole when we came to cottage.