Lisa and David have been booking holidays with me for many years. Their tastes, like mine and Steve’s, lean towards smaller hotels, off-the-beaten-path locations, and multi-centre trips. Their week in Madeira last March was a twin-centre stay at two lovely hotels...
Jo has been my go-to for planning complex trips. I know she’ll not only deliver but provide great options. For our week away, we wanted a short flight, multiple locations, and specific dates.
We had previously discussed Madeira, a place we hadn’t visited but were interested in, and Jo came up with an ideal itinerary.
We knew the north of the island would be great for exploring by foot. Although we encountered a lot of rain, it didn’t detract from Madeira’s beauty.
Our EasyJet flights from Gatwick were great, with private transfers to and from the airport, and between Santana and Funchal. Each driver was like a personal tour guide, offering interesting facts, tips and great suggestions.
The welcome at Hotel Quinta do Furão was fantastic. We were initially booked into a villa, but a room became available in the main hotel.
A lovely and helpful member of staff arranged for us to view both to see which we preferred, with the spectacular view from the hotel room winning us over. However, the villa would have been great had we been with friends.
Despite the poor weather, the balcony view was peaceful and calming. The staff were incredibly friendly and always happy to help. The hotel is comfortable, well-located and a perfect spot for daily hikes.
I’m not usually a fan of big hotels, but I couldn’t fault the Savoy Palace in Funchal. The staff and room were lovely, and we made the most of the vast facilities.
Conveniently situated, we walked everywhere and enjoyed swimming in the main and rooftop pool, which also had a cool bar.
At both hotels, the gym was great, and breakfast offered an outstanding variety. We preferred dining out and found excellent restaurants, particularly in Funchal.
The family-run Restaurante Favilla in Funchal and Restaurante Cantinho da Serra in Santana were delightful.
Both hotels offered unique experiences and different vibes. We used local taxis a few times and explored extensively. While Quinto was excellent for hiking, Funchal kept us busy with various walking routes.
If the weather had enabled us to do some more hiking, then I think some of the routes would have been spectacular.
Madeira is a stunning island, perfect for exploring in a week. If we return, we’ll consider hiring a car to see more, including Porto Santo.
Jo did everything well, as she always does. I’ve not actually been lucky enough to meet her yet but always feel as though we’ve been friends for years. She always knows the right questions to ask to make the best suggestions.
She’s great at tweaking plans to perfection, making the booking process hassle-free. It’s comforting to know that if anything goes wrong or we need assistance, Jo is just a call away.
Lisa
