Pestana Miramar Hotel

Having heard so much about Madeira, we decided to check up personally on all the favourable reports. We arrived one grey and wet morning in October and were quite amused to hear the apologies.... ‘it’s not usually like this!’ etc. etc.
However, within 2 days we realised that was true. The sun came out and showed us what a beautiful island we had the privilege to be visiting. Not for nothing is Madeira called ‘The Jewel of the Atlantic’.
We were struck time and time again by the most interesting places to visit and sights to see. Moreover, all the people we met seemed genuinely pleased to see us and were so polite. The staff at our hotel, the Pestana Miramar, came into this category, including the maids, who seemed to work very long hours, providing an excellent service which was as good as we have encountered anywhere. The apartment was spotless. Clean bed linen and towels were supplied daily.
Cleanliness appears to be one of the most important aspects and I would venture to say that inappropriate behaviour or dress would not be tolerated.
We did not hire a car and soon realised how wise that decision was; traffic flows very rapidly in all directions with seemingly very few mishaps, although we did hear the wail of police or ambulance sirens on most days! The trip from the airport on arrival was an ‘interesting’ to say the least. The receptionist at the hotel asked if Michael Schumacher had been our driver - this without any prompting from us. Walking to most local places gave us some enjoyable exercise but if we tired of this, buses were plentiful and cheap (and all safely driven by drivers of F1 racing cars in their spare time)
We soon found good eating places, one, the Adejar being on site beneath the main complex. Again, friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way to give top service and always found time to stop and answer our endless questions about their lovely island.
Another restaurant was down at the marina; the first in a row of eating establishments in a crescent only yards from the water’s edge. We liked this one so much that I’m afraid we didn’t try the others at all (our single week went all too quickly).
A well known restaurant just along the coast at the picturesque little fishing village of Camara de Lobos was Churchill’s - so named because of their patronage in years long gone by our famous Prime Minister. The menu is mouth watering and the view across the blue sea stunning, as was the meal and the service provided.
The opportunities for sight seeing are endless. Tours by coach, taxi or people carrier are offered on billboard every few yards along the waterfront, along with deep sea fishing trips. (The commonest fish eaten here is espada - a long eel-like monster with razor sharp teeth; don’t be put off by the appearance as it is delicious!)
Trips are available to all parts of the island (with informative commentaries from the well-versed driver) and in certain areas must be a lot less hair-raising than in the days before the new tunnels through the mountains, although it is still possible to travel in some places with a sheer rock face on one side and an equally sheer drop to the sea on the other. Another ‘must’ for tourists is the village of Monte, high above Funchal wit a beautiful old church and gardens with trees and plants from around the world. We just can’t wait for our next visit!!
Frank & Celia Hawkins