Gîte Rabaçal Nature Spot

Serenity, peace, quiet, views, walks. Positive: This was a magical stay with outstanding views and perfect peace and quiet after all the other tourists leave at 6pm. You can sit in the private garden enjoying some wine and the views, in the sun if you are lucky and listen to the birds. This was an amazing experience. The staff and amazing, super friendly and helpful. The food was voluminous and very tasty and they were very accommodating with requests for changes. There was enough food to make a packed lunch although I am sure they would have made one for you, but not being able to eat everything at dinner or breakfast and not wanting it to go to waste we just took it with us for our hikes. You get a bottle of wine a night (for a couple), plus starter, mains and dessert, and a private fridge for anything to store. Rooms are a little small but you don't spend much time in there because you have a large lounge and a garden. The shower was powerful and hot. We had wanted to leave our car at the top car park and take the shuttle down but were advised to drive down for safety of the car at night when everyone else has gone, you can wait in front of the gate for the shuttle to arrive and then they open the gate and you follow the shuttle down. Lots of people on the road giving you the eye for driving! But it works out fine. Lots of hiking trails from this location and a cafe with loads of great food when you get back. Take the opportunity to go early (7am) so you get to the falls before the crowds, especially 25 Fontes which is hard to walk when people are going both ways on small ledges. Negative: Booked a twin room but got a double room despite requesting it 3 times via booking.com messages. Note to any others using messages that none of our questions were answered via this method so don't use it. Bed was extremely hard, it would be great if they offered a mattress topper for those who like softer sleeping. No wifi at all in the bedroom.

Positive: Very special place in the middle of nowhere in the nature. Beautiful house, room and terrace. Great Victor was very helpful.

Exceptionnel Positive: La solitude

A very different side to Madeira and a truly unique experience - even in the rain! Positive: Amazing location, it felt like a challenge getting there down the by invitation only v narrow access road, but was worth the effort. The hosts were super helpful. We were the only booking on the night of our stay so had the guest lounge, and indeed apparently the whole valley to ourselves! We also had a much appreciated late check out. We stayed in 104 which had everything we needed. There’s also a large fridge per room so plenty of storage. Nice toiletries and plenty of hot water and heating. Which was appreciated seeing as it rained heavily throughout our stay. We popped out for a short walk to a waterfall 20 mins away before breakfast. Would have been amazing in sunshine but guess it would also have been much busier! Negative: Very little really as it was great. The communication before hand could have been better. Often messages went unanswered or contradicted themselves. It was very hard to understand timing and parking in advance.

Genieten ! Positive: Onmiddellijke toegang tot de wandelpaden, alle rust om van de natuur te genieten. Heerlijk ontbijt na een vroege wandeling.