The Art Student

The Art Student: Madeira

This building was once a school of fine art in the heart of Funchal. It blends right in with the orange-roofed buildings of the historic centre and sits on a pretty, cobbled street. You can reach all the major sights and attractions of Madeira’s capital – dolphin and whale-watching tours, the gondola up into the hills and the restaurants, cafes and markets of the charming old streets.

We love the entrance hallway to the apartment’s building – a perfect introduction to Funchal’s architecture – with its faded tile floor and arched marble doorframes. Stepping into the apartment, a palette of stone, slate and cotton keeps things feeling calmingly natural. The full kitchen is tucked behind the living area and has everything you need to turn the fresh produce of the nearby farmer’s market into salads, seafood feasts and stews. There’s enough room for the group to dine at the ink-black table, which can double as a desk if you need to work remotely.

Home truths:
*At capacity, two guests will be on the sofa bed in the living room *This home is on the second floor and there is no lift in the building so you'll have to climb some stairs to reach the entrance *Your host can provide a cot, high chair and baby bath for infants on request *There is no private parking with this home, but you're in the centre of Funchal with all the major attractions within walking distance *The entrance to this home is shared with the building's other residents *This home is in a central spot, so noise is to be expected *Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace