Quinta Alegre
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Quinta Alegre
Madeira and Porto Santo › South-West Madeira › Estreito de Calheta
This small, German-run hotel enjoys lovely views down to the coast and is well-placed for exploring the island's south-west by car.
- 4-star Hotel with 20 rooms
- Bed & Breakfast
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Car hire included
Nestling amidst vineyards in the hillside village of Estreito de Calheta, this small hotel is perfect for those seeking a relaxing base in the island's sunny south-west corner, with some excellent terrain for walking practically on your doorstep and easy access by car to the sandy beach in the coastal village of Calheta proper. Although newly constructed in 2003, the two-storey building echoes the style of the island's traditional quintas, with its pan-tiled roof, buttercup-yellow walls and deep-green shutters.
With just 20 rooms, Quinta Alegre has an appealingly intimate ambience, and the hotel's charming German owners extend a friendly welcome to all their guests. The rooms themselves are comfortably and attractively furnished, and benefit from Satellite TV, direct dial telephones, heating and modern en suite bathrooms. Each room also enjoys fabulous ocean views through its full-length windows.
Although modern in style, the public areas are homely and welcoming, with comfy wicker chairs and sofas inviting you to relax in the small library/games room, or in front of the fireplace. In the breakfast room, a wholesome buffet is laid on in the mornings, and the owners feel strongly about using organically grown, local produce wherever possible. The same applies at dinner time, when a small evening menu is available, if pre-ordered, and once a week the hotel offers a traditional Madeiran barbecue, weather permitting.
The hotel's grounds have been beautifully landscaped and incorporate an enticing swimming pool surrounded by a spacious sun-terrace, from where the views down to the ocean are particularly enchanting. Sunloungers with mattresses, pool towels and parasols are provided free of charge for guests, so this makes a great spot for unwinding with a good book, daydreaming or simply enjoying the sun and the views. The more active may chose to enjoy the nearby countryside on foot, explore further afield using the hire car that is included in the holiday, or make use of the mountain bikes that can be hired from the hotel. A small gym with cardiovascular equipment is also available.
The nearest small shops and a couple of simple local restaurants are just over 1km away in the village of Estrela, whilst the beach and marina of Calheta are approximately 3km away and offer a wider choice of eating places as well as an extremely well-stocked supermarket.