Madeira for all the family

Madeira has rarely been associated with family travellers, however the Quintas da Madeira offer a solution to families wanting a value for money break in a warm climate with excellent service and personal attention to detail. The Quintas da Madeira comprises 14 traditional Madeiran Manor houses that have been converted into four and five star boutique hotels and many of them are still family run.

Nearly all of them have swimming pools, games facilities and activities such as croquet, tennis and golf for juniors, children’s play areas and nanny service. Additionally there are plenty of activities around the island of Madeira to keep the young ones happy, such as the Aquapark, donkey riding, the Madeira Theme Park, Porto Moniz Aquarium, Madeira Magic and the two manmade pretty beaches of Sandy Calheta and Machico. For a more educational approach there is the Madeira Story Centre, The Toy Musum and the Natural History Museum.

Estalagem do Vale is well equipped to cater for families with a children’s playground, mini-golf course, indoor and outdoor heated swimming pools, croquet field and games room. Located in one of the most beautiful valleys of Madeira (part of the Laurissilva Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and set against a back drop of magnificent mountains, there are also plenty of activities for all the family to enjoy.

During half-term Estalagem do Vale is offering a special deal, where families can spend four nights for the price of three or seven nights for the price of five. Double rooma are 65€ per room per night on bed and breakfast or 90€ per room per night on half board. The first child (aged 0 – 12) can stay for free and a second child is charged at an extra 20€ per night. For half board children aged 0 – 6 are free and there is a 9€ per day charge for children aged 7 – 12 years old.

The five-star Albatroz Hotel & Yacht Club is located in the town of Santa Cruz on the Ocean front. The kids will be kept happy with access to two salt water and one freshwater pool and free use of the hotel’s tennis court.

For half term week the Albatroz Hotel & Yacht Club is offering families a twin or double room for as little as 115€ per room per night which includes up to two children under the age of 12 sharing. For the same week, the hotel is offering guests unlimited golf at the Santo da Serra Golf Club (home of the Madeira Islands Open) for 57€ per person per day.

Jardins do Lago is a luxury five-star hotel situated on one of the hills surrounding the city of Funchal. The hotels fabulous gardens offer plenty of attractions to keep the entire family happy including tennis courts, a shady area with an adventure playground, swings and a slide, a croquet lawn, table tennis table plus a large heated semi-covered pool with a separate pool for babies. There is also a lake with swans and fish, an aviary and the hotels own celebrity, Colombo, the giant tortoise.

Inside attractions include Colombo’s Den, a children’s play area with television, Game Cube, computer with internet access, a pool table and table football. There is also an attractive, fully equipped nursery for babies and younger children, which is well stocked with toys and books. Children’s DVD’s and Games can be borrowed from Reception at no extra charge. In the Room parents will find a Nappy bin, Changing mat, Sterilized, Bottle warmer and Baby listening.

Jardins do Lago is offering rooms over half term for 240€ per room per day including breakfast and cot for the Baby in the sitting area (up to 2 years old).

Quintinha de Sao Joao is conveniently located in outskirts of Funchal and offers courtesy transfers to town. This friendly family run, five-star hotel has 34 rooms and nine suites, all decorated with examples of traditional embroidery and Madeiran craftsmanship. Leisure facilities include new spa that opens at the end of January, swimming pool, sauna, gym and games room.

Over the week of half term, Quintinha de Sao Joao is offering a standard twin room for 75€ per person per day including breakfast and all taxes. Children up to 12 years old can stay in the room for free. There is a 25€ charge per person per day to change to half board.

For further information on the Quintas da Madeira collection and reservations visit quintas-madeira.com.