Roses on the Balcony

A ten-minute walk to the beach and two minutes on foot to shops, restaurants and bars, this apartment is in the buzzing coastal town of Machico. There’s plenty to keep you entertained here, but if you’re craving a big place to hang out, the city of Funchal is just a twenty-minute drive away.

First of all, let’s talk about the view. The hanging egg chair on the balcony faces out over the shambling orange roofs of Machino, the glimmering waves of the Atlantic Ocean in the distance. If you prefer to enjoy the view with something cold and bubbly in hand, consider firing up the Jacuzzi on the balcony. A little bistro table for two provides the perfect spot for sundowners.

Inside, you’ve got a bigger dining table to spread out for a feast of Picadinho finished with sweet Madeira wine – thanks to a fully-equipped kitchen. There’s a big L-shaped sofa to put your feet up (literally) at the end of the day and, from here, you can admire the view of the towering, green mountains of Madeira from the picture-frame window.

Home truths:
*At capacity, two guests will be on the sofa bed in the living room
*This apartment is on the first floor and there is no lift in the building so you'll need to climb some stairs to reach the entrance
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*The entrance to this home is shared with the building's other residents
*At full occupancy, there isn't enough seating around the dining table for all guests here
*You're in town here, so having a car isn't necessary but there is public on-street parking if you need