The original Casa da Capelinha
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Casa da Capelinha
Madeira and Porto Santo › Northern Madeira › Ponta Delgada
These comfortable and well looked-after apartments are divided between a lovingly restored village house and a modern extension, and are one of the few self-catering properties on the north coast to boast a swimming pool.
- 12 studios and apartments for 2-6 people
- Self-Catering
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Car hire included
For many travellers, part of the appeal of staying in a small village is to have the opportunity to meet the local people, and you would have to go a long way to find friendlier hosts than Paz and Carlos, the charming young couple who own Casa da Capelinha. Situated alongside one of the cobbled lanes that lead down to Ponta Delgada's public seawater swimming pool, Casa da Capelinha is one of the oldest houses in the village, and was given a new lease of life a few years ago when Paz and Carlos undertook to restore it and convert it into four attractive self-catering apartments.
On an adjacent plot of land, Paz and Carlos have subsequently built eight additional one-bedroom apartments, which although much more modern in style, are very appealing due to their excellent furnishings and splendid views.
On the ground floor of the older building is a double-bedded studio with a shower room, which can be connected to the adjacent apartment to form a two-bedroom unit. All the other apartments have a bedroom with twin beds in the bedroom plus a sofa bed in the lounge. All are comfortably furnished and have TV sets, modern bathrooms and open plan kitchens with a fridge, a hob and a microwave oven. The eight new apartments benefit from large terraces or balconies with direct views of the ocean, whilst the upper floor apartments in the original building have smaller balconies with side sea views. The ground floor apartment and studio in the original casa open directly onto the pretty courtyard with its old wine press.
The gardens around the two buildings have been attractively landscaped, and to make their property even more appealing, Paz and Carlos have added a swimming pool surrounded by a large sun terrace blessed with the same enchanting views down to the ocean. The poolside bar (available from 4pm) serves drinks, snacks, breakfasts and tasty home-cooked meals at very reasonably prices, so much so that many guests rarely choose to eat out.
A hire car is included in your holiday price to help you explore further afield, but within the village you will find a bank, a small mini-market and a couple of other cafés and restaurants. On the hillside above the apartments is the "little chapel" from which the house takes its name. Dating from the 16th century, this has recently been restored and guests are welcome to visit. Paz and Carlos themselves live just across the lane and although both have other day jobs, they often pop by to chat with their guests, make sure everyone is comfortable and assist with any local advice you may require.