Quintinha de Sao Joao

Quintinha de Sao Joao details

Just a 15-minute walk from the centre of Funchal, this old manor house combines traditional elegance with 5-star luxury.

The first thing you’ll notice about this place is the garden. Stone pathways weave their way through beautifully manicured lawns, and trees and flowers stand alongside Victorian-style lanterns and wooden benches.

At the heart of it all is the hotel – a whitewashed manor house complete with wrought-iron balconies and terracotta roofs. Inside, you’ll find plenty in the way of traditional touches, including antique furniture, porcelain ornaments and a baby grand piano.

It’s a similar set-up in the rooms, where carved wooden headboards and detailed rugs give a nod to days gone by. Everything else is geared up for 21st-century luxury, though, from the separate lounge areas to mod-cons like air-conditioning and DVD players.

Elsewhere, there are two swimming pools - an indoor and an outdoor one. The latter is set on a raised sun terrace, surrounded by a small lawn and padded loungers. Looking out over the gardens, it’s a great spot to soak up the views. There’s also a gym here, plus a spa that offers up a sauna, a steam room and a tropical shower, as well as treatments like facials, massages and body wraps.

The restaurant, meanwhile, is open for dinner. Specialising in gourmet Goan cuisine, it has a lengthy menu that features the likes of stuffed squid and spiced pork. There’s a snack bar by the pool, too, which serves lunch, afternoon tea and evening cocktails.