Romantic Valentines’ retreats in Madeira
The Quintas da Madeira offer the perfect solution for a romantic February retreat with personalised service and a range of activities including spa treatments for two, horse riding, golf, levada walks and dolphin a whale watching excursions. Additionally, with February temperatures averaging around 18 to 19 Celsius, Madeira is a much warmer alternative to the UK.
The Quintas da Madeira is a group of 10 Madeiran manor houses that have been converted into boutique hotels ranging from contemporary design properties to traditional villas complete with four-poster beds and antique furniture. The four and five-star hotels are all located in garden settings (Quintas), from botanical gardens to banana plantations.
This year there are a number of great romantic packages for couples to snap up for a perfect Valentines weekend break away:
Quinta da Bela Vista is an exclusive manor house located on the outskirts of Funchal, surrounded by gardens and overlooking the bay. The five-star, 89 room hotel is furnished with a private antique collection and unique works of art. A gourmet restaurant, swimming pool, billiards, card room, library, fitness room, Jacuzzi, sauna and tennis court provide plenty of facilities for guests who do not want to leave the hotel and grounds. Guests can also enjoy discounted green fees on the two nearby golf courses, charter the hotel’s yacht – Gaviao, or take advantage of the weekly sails to the Ilhas Desertas Nature Reserve, home to a small endangered colony of sea lions and plants; normally special authorisation is required to anchor a boat and for visitors to go ashore. The Quinta do Bela Vista Gardens cover 20,000m2, housing exotic trees and shrubs including kapok, paulownia, hibiscus and colourful flowering creepers.
Quinta Bela Vista is offering three different types of romantic package:
The Romantic Sunset Package comprises either four or seven nights in a deluxe room, airport transfers, sparkling wine, fruit, buffet breakfast, one dinner in the fine dining a la carte restaurant, Casa Mãe (beverages excluded), use of the sauna, jacuzzi and tennis court, as well as a sunset cruise onboard the luxury yacht Gavião.
The Romantic Tours Package includes the same as above, but features an excursion to Monte Palace Garden by cable car instead of the sunset cruise.
The Romantic Walk into Nature Package also includes the same as above, but features a levada walk and picnic instead of the excursion to Monte and visit to Monte Palace Gardens.
Prices starting from 1467 € for a 4 night stay, in a Double Deluxe guestroom, buffet breakfast; tax & services included.
Casa Velha do Palheiro is a country house style hotel with 37 luxury rooms. Over 200 years old, this five-star hotel is located in magnificent stately gardens. Guests of the hotel can enjoy fine dining, including a seven-course gourmet taste menu served with four Portuguese wines, free private entry to Palheiro Gardens, health and fitness facilities including a pool, tennis, badminton, croquet, massage, sauna and steam room.
For the weekend of the 13th to 15th February 2009, Casa Velha do Palheiro is offering couple two nights accommodation including breakfast, a romantic three course dinner for two in the hotels fine dining room (excludes drinks), a cosy afternoon tea by the hotel’s log fire, a bottle of Sparkling wine, fruit basket and water on room, upon arrival and a free upgrade to a superior room for 460€ per double room based on two people sharing.
Estalagem do Vale is ideally 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. Estalagem do Vale is an XVIII century manor house which has been restored to become a luxurious four star hotel.
Couples checking in over the Valentines weekend can enjoy a special romantic evening for one night including a welcome drink, candle light dinner with a choice of gourmet menues, sparking wine and flowers in the room and breakfast for just 125 Euros per couple. Additional nights are 65 Euros per night including breakfast or 90 Euros of half board.
Quintinha de Sao Joao is built within the grounds of one of Funchal’s historic Quintas. This traditional, five-star hotel has 34 rooms and nine suites, all decorated with examples of traditional embroidery and Madeiran craftsmanship. Leisure facilities include a new spa that opened last year, sauna, Jacuzzi, gym, games room and indoor and outdoor pools. The hotel offers courtesy transfers to Funchal.
Quintinha de Sao Joao has a special romantic package which includes a private romantic three course meal, with wine, served in the beautiful gardens of this historic Quinta. The package also includes seven nights accommodation in a junior suite, breakfast, bouquet of flowers, bowl of tropical fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival. The total cost of the package is 1,180 Euros for two people sharing a room.
For further information on the Quintas da Madeira collection and reservations visit quintas-madeira.com.
