Estalgem da Ponta do Sol on Madeira is an excellent vacation spot in a stunning nook of this extraordinary botanical island.
A sub-tropical island in contrast to another, Madeira is exclusive. A land that stimulates the creativeness just like the low-hanging clouds, pierced by daylight, that moodily cloak the knife-edge mountains right here. In some elements, it looks like one is nestled deep in a Hawaiian rainforest; bushes are heavy with tropical fruit. In different areas, one may very well be viewing the ultimate mountainous level of an excellent unknown continent the place darkish azure waves pull towards a protracted abandoned seaside of ochre-colored sand. Madeira is a magical paradise for the senses.
Positioned on the southwest coast of Madeira, the beautiful, pleasant seaside city of Ponta do Sol has a status for being one of many warmest and sunniest locations on the island. A mere 30-minute drive from the island’s capital Funchal this Fifteenth-century city arose out of the flourishing sugarcane business. Right now, it’s a draw for its pebble-beached seafront enveloped by cliffs, a phenomenal church Nossa Senhora da Luz, and a small fistful of fantastic eating places and vibrant bars.
Bond-esque Lair
Perched above the city is the resort Estalgem da Ponta do Sol. An unmissable landmark given its minimalist structure: a cloud-grey concrete pillar grips the aspect of the mountain and stretches just a few hundred toes into the sky—and that’s merely the elevator shaft that wizzes you from sea stage to the resort. It’s a dramatic entrance worthy of a Bond set, and what follows when it comes to design, sophistication, and environment doesn’t disappoint. Rising from the red-lit elevator automobile, one other beautiful cinematic contact, you arrive on the property and are first welcomed by the resort’s two canine, Stella and Poncha. The latter is known as after the revered Madeiran tipple constituted of citrus juice, honey, and native rum or ‘aguardiente.’
Initially a ‘Quinta’ or manor home, which at the moment holds the resort’s reception space, a energetic bar, a comfy library, a surprising terrace, and a backyard the place tiny gold and emerald speckled lizards laze within the winter solar. The terrace overlooks Ponta do Sol and the expansive Atlantic past—we have been advised whales are sometimes noticed from this vantage level. The seas off Madeira are unimaginably deep and are a well-liked freeway for cetaceans. The trendy a part of the resort, designed by celebrated architect Tiago Oliveira, was constructed on the encompassing land. The stark swan-white buildings, with massive panoramic home windows, flood the interiors with mild and lengthen to the cliff’s edge.
There are 54 rooms. We stayed in a typical sea-view-facing room with a solar terrace. Backyard view rooms overlook Ponta do Sol and the banana plantations on the mountainside. We loved gorgeous ocean views, the rocky coast immediately beneath us, and the cliffs to our east. At evening, dots of sunshine from the villages within the hills above us lit up like fireflies because the crashing waves beneath lulled us to sleep.
The room was easy and spacious with mild wooden flooring, white partitions decked out with black and white artwork images, and a comfortable mattress with striped linen sheets. The big rest room got here with a bathe, whereas different rooms have bathtubs. All function air-con, satellite tv for pc tv, and a minibar.
Madeiran delicacies
The resort’s restaurant has a eating room that overlooks the city and the bay. It opens onto a small outside backyard terrace surrounded by verdant tropical crops the place you’ll be able to eat. The eating room serves lunch and dinner; the delicacies is native Madeiran and European. The meals is well-priced and engaging, notably the steak and the scabbard fish; regardless of its satanic look, the latter is a scrumptious meaty Madeiran specialty. After dinner, many company head to the comfortable Foyer & Lounge Bar, which is open late and is a superb place to loosen up and meet others. Two roaring fireplaces and the unimaginable balcony view solely add to its attraction. The breakfast buffet serves continental-style freshly baked bread, pastries, yogurts, and mouthwatering tropical fruits, from ruby crimson pomegranates to golden mangoes. There are German and Scandinavian delicatessen favorites in a nod to the resort’s distinguished company. The breakfast additionally has a first-class à la carte menu that adjustments day by day.
Wild Atlantic, whales, and extra
The resort’s centerpiece is undoubtedly the infinity pool set in a cliff-side backyard that drops in rocky layers to the ocean. The view is totally spectacular, and there’s an out of doors scorching tub, an indoor pool, a hammam, and a sauna. Massages could be booked in-house. Proper on the cliff edge within the pool space is the Poolside Kabo Bar, the place you’ll be able to serve your self a cocktail or pull a cool Tremendous Bock on draught. On weekends there are common sundown events right here with reside music and DJs from as far afield as Lisbon and Berlin.
Nearer to the reception among the many resort rooms is a health club. The very accommodating and educated employees can set up hikes, together with complimentary transfers to varied trails you’ll be able to select from, whether or not you wish to see ‘levadas’ (canals), canyons, mountains, or waterfalls. Different actions embody whale watching, paragliding, diving, and snorkeling. In summer season, you’ll be able to go on the resort’s catamaran off the coast to go seal, dolphin, and whale watching. A non-public seaside, Faja dos Padres, has black volcanic sands and a restaurant. The resort offers a free day by day shuttle service to Funchal and to the airport.
The breathtaking location, trendy design, and relaxed vibes simply make Estalgem da Ponta do Sol considered one of Madeira’s high boutique accommodations. It’s a fabulous place for a romantic break, but shut sufficient to Funchal to see extra motion.
