Drapes Design Apartments 2A Sombra by An Island Apart

The location made getting around Funchal easy. The Old Town is about a two-minute walk, Mercado dos Lavradores is a minute away, the Cathedral takes six minutes, and the ocean promenade is no more than ten minutes on foot. The CR7 Museum is around 15 minutes away, and a bus to Monte park stops right outside the main entrance. The apartment was modern and pleasant, and the building looks new, with stylish details that pay tribute to what seems to have been a textile factory. Inside, it was spotless and had all sorts of useful things, including a dishwasher, iron and ironing board, several kinds of coffee machines, a juice maker, and a hairdryer. Funchal is very walkable, so being so well placed was a real help.

The rooftop kitchen and dining area was a highlight for me. It's a shared space where residents can spend time together, with sweeping ocean views on one side and mountains on the other. I never got tired of looking out from there. Inside, the apartment felt cozy and peaceful despite the busy city around it. The furniture and decor worked well together, and the design blends modern luxury with historical charm, giving the place the feel of a textile factory. It has more character than the usual cookie-cutter accommodation. Everything was spotless when I arrived, and the cleaning and maintenance staff clearly take care with the apartments. It was easy to interact with the staff, too. The location is very convenient, right beside a busy shopping center and surrounded by restaurants for all kinds of tastes. Finding a place that checks all these boxes can be hard. These apartments exceeded my expectations, and I'd happily recommend them for either a short visit or a longer stay.

Our apartment was roomy, bright, and well equipped, with a dishwasher, coffee machine, and refrigerator. The bathroom was spacious and looked great too, although there was some mold in the shower. The door opens inward, which seems impractical given the space in the bathroom. We managed, but I can imagine someone having trouble getting into the shower if they need more room. We stayed in 1A on the first floor for the last two nights of our holiday. With no elevator, we were glad there was only one flight of stairs to carry our luggage. The apartment is by a shopping mall and in front of the Three House. There's a bus stop at the entrance, which is handy if you're taking the bus, but it also means people tend to gather or sit right outside. The bed wasn't very comfortable, and being on a busy road meant a lot of noise late at night and early in the morning. I used earplugs on the last night. There was also a strange knocking sound from underneath the apartment that started early in the morning. I still don't know what that was.

Handy spot, with plenty of bars and restaurants right next door. The apartment was nice 👌