Fleewinter

Situated on one of the hills surrounding Funchal, but less than a mile from its city centre. The extensive gardens – with more than 600 varieties of plants surrounding the Quinta – also house a swimming pool set amongst the mango trees. They are also home to Colombo, the giant tortoise from the Galapagos which has lived here for over four decades.

Agapanthus, jasmine and wisteria frame the old Quinta, whilst interiors, formally laid out, with impressive parquet flooring, brim with warmth and light and flowers like Bird of Paradise picked from the garden.

In addition to the traditional period furniture and many oil paintings, locally made wicker chairs and tables have been added on the verandas and terraces to give a sense of place. There is a library, a billiard room and the Pink Room, a breakfast room which spills out onto a veranda with a notable 16th-century ceramic wall panel.

Service is polished and professional. A well equipped gym, sauna, Turkish bath and whirlpool tub adjoin the large, heated, swimming pool. There is also table tennis and croquet. An exploratory walk in the botanical gardens is a must with the many species well labelled. A courtesy shuttle bus takes guests into Funchal four times a day on weekdays.

The 32 rooms and nine suites all come with balconies overlooking the gardens and the sea beyond. There are comfortable arm chairs, large beds with wooden headboards, or four-posters, good desks and wooden floors topped by rugs. Bathrooms are in colourful marble and come with tubs with showers above rather than separate showers.
The gourmet Beresford restaurant, where the sideboard on display dates from the Napoleonic wars when General Beresford – who the restaurant is named after lived here in his role as commander of the British forces – offers an excellent à la carte menu which draws on Madeiran ingredients and specialities. Don’t miss the roast chicken breast with sugar cane honey, lemon and thyme,watercress gnocchi and cherry tomato.

The Colombo Bistro by the pool serves dishes such as tuna fish carpaccio, grilled prawns with garlic, lemon and oregano and barbeque dishes as well as pizza and pasta. There is a vegetarian menu. The Visconde Bar, the place for a cocktail, has live music on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Breakfast offers the chance to try the island’s sweet fruit such as the tiny bananas as well as local hams and cheeses, fresh pastries and eggs to order.