QUINTA DAS VISTAS PALACE

Surrounded by 12,000 square meters of centenary gardens, fountains and a pond with swans in the hills above this quaint city, the romantic Quinta Das Vistas Palace Gardens created from a manor house offers panoramic views of the mountains, town and ocean. Guests are close to the center of Funchal, the Portuguese island of Madeira's nearly 500 year old capital, and picturesque villages, volcanic caves, rugged coast lines and beautiful natural beaches. The hotel's staff tips off guests to big game fishing, all day boat trips, helicopter rides, island junkets and opportunities for water skiing, snorkeling, gliding and diving. Funchal's mountain cable car is also one kilometre from the hotel, while the Palheiro Golf Club is 15 kilometres away. Guests can enjoy the hotel's complimentary shuttles to Funchal.This is definitely a place for pampering, from the time guests first step foot in the door and receive complimentary bottles of Madeiran wine and local honey cakes. Adding to the romantic allure, columns and arches flank the hotel's La Belle Terrasse restaurant with its regional and international cuisines, covered seating and open terrace. Guests also can enjoy drinks in the Albatroz piano bar or at the pool bar. Not to be outdone, the hotel's Vistas Spa offers massages, reiki (universal life force energy and beauty therapies, sauna, pools, Turkish bath, Vichy shower, and relaxation rooms. The 71 air conditioned guestrooms, including eight suites, are decorated in limed oak, all opening onto balconies. They feature cable TV, safes, Internet connections, Portuguese marble and oak bathrooms, bathrobes and slippers. Guests are 20 kilometers from Madera Funchal International Airport. With its lush garden and Portuguese manor house ambience, Quinta Das Vistas Palace Gardens provides couples on romantic getaways and other leisure travelers with the quintessential oasis in the hills and the hotel's vintage Rolls Royce is perfect for special occasions.