"Quinta da Casa Branca is a sensitively designed haven of elegant calm. In all my years of staying in hotels, rarely have I been better looked after and had my expectations so repeatedly exceeded.
On arrival guests are presented with a reception located in an elevated, glazed Miesien pavilion. This proves to be a precursor of the architectural delights ahead. The ‘Garden Rooms’ in which we stayed are a long single storey annexe by architect João Favila Menezez built in 1998 & 2002. We were particularly fortunate in that a renovation project had been completed just weeks before our arrival so that we were staying in what felt like new rooms. The renovation itself has been sensitively handled and has achieved the (intentional) effect that the interior treatments could always have been thus, albeit with a slight mid-century modern inflection. Comments by previous reviewers about ’tired’ rooms have now been thoroughly addressed. One odd omission is that there is no full length mirror in the rooms but perhaps these are yet to be fitted as part of the renovation. And some wall hooks in the entrance area would be appreciated (a surprisingly common failing in hotels worldwide).
This is not really a hotel for families, nor for children. There is an 'adults only' swimming pool but children’s noisy antics would NOT be appreciated around the main pool. The guest profile is ‘mature’, well dressed adults with thankfully few instances of ‘athleisure wear’ or baseball caps worn the wrong way round. The atmosphere is civilised and privacy is respected. This is a full 5 star hotel; gowns & slippers, twin bathroom basins, turn down service, professional and well trained staff.
The grounds have the character of a sub tropical botanic garden, with clear but discreet labelling on most of the flora. The only noise is the occasional rasping note of an un-silenced motorbike engine from surrounding roads but sadly this seems to be a global problem (what is the matter with these people?)
Breakfast is lavish and well managed; a comprehensive buffet with hot dishes cooked to order. Other dining options include a pleasant casual cafe/brasserie and a more formal fine-dining option in the Manor House (with dress code). The food was generally accomplished, the experience only marred by excessive wine prices. There is need for lower opening price points and greater generosity in single glass quantities. There isn’t a proper bar as such which is a shame although this could be partly addressed if there was a courtesy drinks offer for after dinner digestifs in the Lounge/Library; Madeira or rum perhaps
Walking into Funchal town is an easy downhill 20 minute stroll but the return is best handled by taxi or bus, especially in the heat of the day.
Despite these caveats, the Quinta da Casa Branca is truly wonderful and we may well become one of it’s regular patrons."
