Colina da Fajã

We came here after a couple of nights in Funchal and really liked the peaceful, rustic setting and the ocean views. The location and the service were the strongest parts of our stay. The staff were attentive and very friendly, breakfast had good options, and guests can use the well-equipped kitchen. The rooms suit the rustic character, though they could use some updating, especially the squeaky bed. The road is extremely steep; I felt nervous going down, but had no trouble driving back up in a Seat Ibiza. The pool had quite a bit of algae, though maybe that was because we visited in March, before the season. I still enjoyed staying here and thought it was good value.

The beds squeak a lot, but the house itself is really nice and the host was lovely. Breakfast was good, and there’s a pool table in the indoor lounge. Both the rooms and the terrace and pool area look out over the ocean, making the latter a great spot for sunset. I’d read comments about the steep road, but we managed it easily in a tiny rental car using first gear. Driving down towards the ocean can feel a little daunting.

The room was a good size and had everything we needed, with a wonderful ocean view. Breakfast was plentiful and delicious, and the staff were helpful and friendly. There’s a shared room where you can chat with other guests. I didn’t try the pool or outdoor terrace, though I imagine they’re cosy in summer. For the price, this is probably the island’s best value. The bed felt a bit hard. I accidentally rated it 7/10 on booking.com, a score I’d have saved for other places; for this stay, I’d give it 10/10 overall. I’ll definitely come back here next time I’m on the island.

We were well looked after and had no complaints about the stay. It’s a lovely hotel in a beautiful, quiet spot, with an excellent breakfast and a great pool. The hot water takes a while to reach the shower, and the room got a little stuffy at night because it would have been nice to open a window. The levada walk right in front of the hotel is easy, and I recommend it. The drive to and from the place is steep, as other guests have said, but it’s doable.