If you know anything about how my husband and I like to travel, you’ll know we’re not really hotel people. Okay, that’s not strictly true; we’ve been known to attend a bougie hotel or two in our time. But, in general, we are big fans of cabins, campers, trailers, or even treehouses. While some of the appeal comes from staying in something completely unique, a lot of the time we pick places based on them being slightly more remote – if they so happen to be a bit jazzy too, well so be it.
When we decided to spend our first-ever Christmas away from home, I knew I wanted our accommodation for the holiday to be something special. We never stay still for very long, so for our eight-day trip, I wanted three different places to stay at various places on the island.
If you’re on the hunt for unique accommodation in Maderia, whether you’re visiting in the height of summer or over the festive period, look no further…
Mountain Eco Shelters, Funchal
Nestled high in the hills above Funchal, Mountain Eco Shelters does exactly what it says on the tin. We were due to spend three nights here, but our flight was delayed by 24 hours, and we were definitely disappointed we didn’t get to make the most of our time here! The owners were incredibly considerate and offered us another night’s stay but we had our next stop booked – instead opting for a very late afternoon checkout. It’s the little touches like this that make you recommend places time and time again!
We were welcomed at the gate at the start of the mountain reserve by a lovely gentleman in a pickup truck, who led us along a narrow winding track. With a quick intro in the rather rustic reception, we then lugged our suitcases up a few flights of steps up the hillside and settled into our home for the next few days.
The cabins are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay: aircon for summer, heaters for winter, a well-equipped kitchen, and a modern bathroom. They also provided us with a jar of delicious cookies…it’s the small things. All in all, the cabin was everything we had hoped for and more. But the real selling point? The location. Surrounded by lush green as far as the eye could see and a plethora of walking trails around the reserve, it really was something special. Goats meandered not far from our door and the sunsets from our porch were truly beautiful.
Good to know:
- There is no WiFi in the huts, you have to go to reception to use it and there is little to no phone signal so it’s important to plan accordingly.
- There are quite a lot of steps across the eco shelter and uneven terrain, so it wouldn’t be suitable for those with limited mobility.
- Due to the location, you need a car or motorbike to reach the shelter.
- There is a wonderful cafe/restaurant about a 15-minute walk down the hill on the reserve.
Canto Das Fontes, Ponta do Sol
Over the Christmas dates, I wanted to stay somewhere we would never forget and boy, did this place deliver! Perched above a cliff, overlooking the sparkling ocean, Mango Yurt at Canto Das Fontes was truly a paradise. We arrived in the dark which I probably wouldn’t recommend; the complex is built into the side of the cliff with lots of winding wooden steps, making it hard to get your bearings. However, the team had sent us a long video explaining how to get to our accommodation and ultimately, the experience only added to the whole charm of the place.
Within the complex you’ll find: an honesty bar, a natural pool with hammocks for lounging, a social tipi and various view points. All the little touches were so well thought out and I couldn’t fault a single thing about how they have designed the space.
Now, on to the real gem of Canto Das Fontes – our yurt! We were welcomed with a little sign on the gate which then led us into our private space and it was so much more than we were expecting. While the pictures showcase how stunning the yurt is, we had no idea how much space we would have or the facilities. Our sleeping quarters were inside a large yurt that was cosy, clean and beautifully finished. We also had our own outside/inside kitchen, which was open to the elements but artfully covered by a wooden structure and vines. Attached to the kitchen, a spacious shower and further from here…a composting toilet! Alas, I know these aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but it was well-done and caused us no issues!
I cannot recommend this accommodation enough for anyone looking to visit Madeira. Waking up and sipping our coffees in swinging chairs overlooking the ocean, sleeping to the sound of the waves, and enjoying a campfire under the stars; what more could you ask for?
Good to know:
- There is no WiFi within the private areas, only the social spots…however the signal did stretch to our yurt, winner winner!
- Due to the multiple stairs up to the accommodation, this is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
- There is an ingenious luggage lift so you don’t have to lug your belongings up the steps with you. *Do not* ride the lift yourself – there’s a steep old drop below and it is not safe for people to use.
- There’s not a lot to do nearby, so you will need a car and be happy staying in for dinners!
- The famous waterfall, Cascata Dos Anjos, that people travel far and wide to stand under is actually just below the complex. We didn’t know this and just happened upon it when we saw droves of people arriving.
Laurinda’s Cottage, Santa Cruz
For our final two nights, we said goodbye to our weird and wonderful yurt and headed to Santa Cruz, the town next to the airport. After a week of outdoor showers, composting toilets and sketchy WiFi, it was quite nice to have a touch of luxury in an actual apartment. Laurinda’s Cottage is above the main town with an outside patio overlooking the island and the airport. We hadn’t realised quite how close to the runway we would be, which ended up being a great bonus as we sat on the patio with a beer or two and watched the planes come and go.
The Airbnb has two double beds, so would make a great base for a family or two couples and was the perfect spot for our final few nights.
Good to know:
- It’s about a 10-minute walk into the town. There’s an easy cut through that the hosts highlight for guests to use.
- The noise from the planes is very loud and they fly through the night. It didn’t bother us but if you’re a light sleeper, it might wear thin.
Madeira has a plethora of different types of accommodation, from fancy hotels to budget stays, there really is something for everyone. If you’re travelling without a car, I’d suggest staying in Funchal, the main town, and using public transport to explore. But, as always, I’d recommend renting a car for the best experience and getting off the beaten track a little bit more!
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