Charming 5-bed House in Ribeiro Frio

We were only here for a couple of nights on our Madeira trip and wished we’d stayed longer. The rooms were clean, the beds comfortable, and the hosts very friendly. It’s also a handy base for nearby walks. Our bedroom was on the same floor as the main kitchen and living room. The kitchen is spacious, modern, and well equipped, with a dining table, and there’s an open-plan TV area as well. The hosts run the restaurant next door, where the food is great. I loved the mixed grill. Paula, the chef and co-host, and her husband even made us sandwiches for an early start on our walk. We came in February and had lovely weather, spending much of the time above the clouds in glorious sunshine.

After a long day hiking, this was just right for a good rest. The room was warm, spacious, and clean, and the kitchen had plenty of equipment. There are two nice restaurants next door. We had sandwiches and fruit salads for breakfast, and both were excellent.

The view alone was lovely, and the place was beautiful, comfortable, and clean. This was our best stay in Madera. The restaurant served the best food we had there too. I’m definitely coming back.

This was part of our three-day island tour in May 1981, when we needed permission from a Government agency in Funchal to stay. The house was very clean and made a pleasant stop along the way. It was simply furnished, and wood was provided for the fire because Ribeiro Frio can be quite chilly at night. There wasn’t any service, as people staying there usually brought a maid. A caretaker looked after the house and met us when we arrived.