Three suites, or the whole house, on the hill above Funchal. The house has been photographed since 1905 and has been in the same family since 1940. Its name comes from the quay in the bay below, where the liners berth — you can see it from the house. A mineral pool heated to 30 °C (86 °F) all year. Breakfast à la carte, at the hour you choose, in the living room or the garden. Nava, our concierge, is in the house 24/7. Adults only.
Each suite is named after the compass bearing of its balcony, and all three get sun for most of the day. Book one suite — or book all three, and the house is yours.
The whole house
Three suites, the living room with its open kitchen, the garden, the Levada Lounge and the pool — for one party at a time.
The largest suite
Its balcony opens to the south — 160º on the compass — with lounge chairs. A super king bed that can be made as one or as two, and a walk-in shower built for two.
King-size bed & private bathroom
Two balconies facing west — 250º — over the sea and the city. A king-size bed and a walk-in shower. From November to February the sun sets in front of the house.
King-size bed & private bathroom
Two balconies facing south-west — 208º — and the sea in view from the bed. A king-size bed and a walk-in shower. The quietest room in the house.
Nava, our concierge, is in the house 24/7 and does your check-in. He arranges the airport transfer, a car for a day on the island and a private chef for dinner in the house, and plans the island around what you want to see. Laundry is done for you.
Levada walks into the laurel forest, the Monte Palace gardens, the Mercado dos Lavradores in the old town, whale and dolphin watching from the marina. Nava plans the day and books what needs booking.
Breakfast is à la carte, cooked when you ask for it, in the living room or the garden. When you arrive, there is Madeira wine and honey cake on the entrance terrace while the bags go up. In town: espetada over embers, bolo do caco with garlic butter, fish from the market, and Madeira wine. Or a private chef cooks dinner here, in the house.
The Christmas lights are on from 1 December to 10 January, and on 23 December the old town fills for the Noite do Mercado. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks over the bay — a Guinness world record in 2006. And through the year, the Flower Festival and the Atlantic Festival.
The levadas are the old irrigation channels that cross the island, with a path along each one. They lead into the Laurisilva, the laurel forest that is a UNESCO World Heritage site; in winter, Fanal is often in mist. Nava arranges a guide, or a car for the day.
The old town is a walk downhill: embroidery, wicker, the Madeira wine lodges, and the Mercado dos Lavradores with the island’s fruit. The walk back is uphill, and most guests take a taxi.
The pool at 30 °C (86 °F), the garden, the Levada Lounge and the fire pit. A massage in the Levada Lounge, beside the running water; yoga on the Sun Deck in the morning, before breakfast. Nava arranges both, and each is billed by the person who does it.
The nearest is the Barreirinha bathing complex, on the rocks below the old town, a walk downhill. Praia Formosa, west of Funchal, is pebble. The sand at Calheta is imported.
Address: Rua Conde Carvalhal 68, 9060-012 Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal.
Phone: (+351) 965053319
Email: info@cais68.com
Check-in: from 2 pm
Check-out: by 11 am
Parking: one indoor space, plus the street.
