Quinta das Vinhas

We spent three nights in Casa Rosa. From the outside it looks very old, but inside it initially felt cosy. We soon noticed several problems. The bedroom wall beside our bed was peeling and moldy, and there was a moldy smell from the air conditioning. The bathroom seemed poorly maintained: water drained slowly from the shower and sink, hot water took a long time to arrive and came out weakly, and the toilet button needed another press to stop the water. Ants were all over the living room and kitchen, so we had to throw away some food. Winery employees worked beside our room, which made us uncomfortable. We left early in the morning and only realized on the way to the airport that we'd forgotten a paper bag of presents for our kids in the kitchen of our unit. My wife was sure she'd left it there. We called, and someone went to check but said they couldn't find it. I asked him to look at the CCTV camera mounted on our unit, but he didn't respond. We're positive one of the employees took the bag. What a shame.

The vineyard setting and wine were lovely, and we really enjoyed the main courses. The starters and desserts, though, disappointed. We dined almost alone because there were so few other guests, and would have preferred a livelier atmosphere. Set dining times might help bring people together. The service was polite, but staff didn't seem engaged or explain the food and wine. We felt overlooked, and more effort to make dinner welcoming and informative would have helped. Breakfast could also have been better quality, with more options for health-conscious guests. The massage was the worst part. It took place in an outdoor tent on a winter evening with no heating, and we were freezing throughout. We felt worse afterwards. The staff showed little understanding or empathy, and the hotel took no responsibility, telling us to deal directly with the masseurs even though we booked through the hotel. We also had to pay cash, but there was no ATM at the property and no one had told us in advance. Even a simple apology or acknowledgment would have made a difference. The vineyard and wine met our expectations, but the massage and lack of care left us feeling undervalued. The place has potential, and we hope they address these issues.

The staff really made this place for us. Tony, Roberto, and Monica at reception were always checking that we had what we needed and sharing helpful local advice. The restaurant team were friendly, professional, and knew their food and wines well. They even suggested wonderful places to visit, including Fanal and other nearby beauty spots. We're nearing the end of a two-week stay in our own self-catering cottage among the vineyards. It's kept immaculately clean by two hardworking ladies who also prepare the delicious breakfast available to guests. There are B&B rooms in the main house, as well as a fantastic on-site restaurant with a first-class menu. Quinta Das Vinhas is a gem. We can't imagine staying anywhere else when we return to Madeira.

We arrived late and had to check ourselves in. The hostess was incredibly helpful, sending WhatsApp instructions, pictures, and even a video to guide us to our room. Finding it in the dark almost felt like coming home. The place was warm, quiet, and peaceful. Our large room in the main house had a lovely atmosphere and a door onto a shared outdoor patio. The views over the garden and ocean were tremendous, with stars at night too. Breakfast was delicious, including fresh bread and an interesting goat cheese. Tea and coffee were available in the breakfast room all day, though there was no kettle in our room. We could eat inside or on the terrace overlooking the landscape. The restaurant is pricey, but the food and wine are high quality. I had the red meat twice because I couldn't believe how subtly the cooks brought out mushroom and truffle flavours. My wife enjoyed the espada, the famous local deep-sea fish. They say it's the world's ugliest fish, but it's a delicacy.