"Casa da Frente"
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Quinta de São Lourenço
Madeira and Porto Santo › South-West Madeira › Fajá da Ovelha
Perched on a steep hillside with stunning views down to the ocean, this cluster of charmingly restored cottages is a peaceful rural retreat.
- 4 Cottages with 1, 2 or 3 bedrooms for 2-6 people
- Self-Catering
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Car hire included
If a truly tranquil location, mesmerising ocean views and ample opportunities for walking are high on your list of priorities, look no further than this small cluster of beautifully restored farming cottages. Nestling against a steep hillside approximately 300 metres above sea-level just inland from Paúl do Mar, Quinta de São Lourenço may not be suitable for those with walking difficulties (the path from the nearest road access and parking area is rather steep), but those who actively enjoy walking will find plenty of rewarding terrain in the immediate vicinity. The views from the lawn that borders the enticing swimming pool down to the coast are truly breathtaking, perhaps even overly so for anyone suffering from vertigo!
Combining authentic character with a dash of contemporary flair, the four cottages are very prettily furnished and decorated. Ideal for families or groups of friends, the largest of the houses - the "Casa Grande" - has three bedrooms, all on the upper floor, and each equipped with twin beds and with its own bathroom. On the lower floor there is a kitchen-dining room and a spacious lounge, both of which ooze plenty of traditional charm thanks to their natural stone walls.
The "Casa da Frente" is perfect for two couples traveling together (or perhaps a family with older children), as it is effectively made up of two semi-detached cottages, each with a sitting room on the lower level and a bedroom and bathroom on the floor above. The two halves of the house share a kitchen and a lovely barbecue area. The remaining two cottages are just right for romantic couples: The "Lagar" consists of a spacious studio room with twin beds (arranged side by side), a sitting area and an en suite bathroom, plus a small separate kitchen on the lower floor, which is accessed externally. The "Palheiro" is compact but cosy, with a kitchenette/dining area on the lower floor and a bedroom and shower room under the eaves.
Although the cottages are rented on a self-catering basis, the maid will deliver fresh bread every morning and stock up your fridge with other essential breakfast goodies, so there is no need to set off for the shops first thing in the morning. The nearest simple eatery for lunch and dinner is just over five minutes' walk away, whilst for a wider choice of restaurants, you can use your complimentary hire car to visit the coastal village of Paúl do Mar, the delightful village of Jardim do Mar with its good restaurants or the inland village of Prazeres, all of which are just 10 minutes' drive away.