This 18th century hunting lodge has been lovingly restored into a 5 star country house hotel and is a member of Relais & Chateaux collection. Set within the award-wining Palheiro Gardens and Nature Estate, in the foothills of Funchal, combining history, beauty and elegance. With its own 18 holes championship course, a fully service spa with indoor and outdoor pools, over 20 km of nature trails, bird-watching, restaurants, bars and even a tea house.

Conveniently located 20 minutes between Funchal town and Madeira airport, Casa Velha do Palheiro is the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and take in the tranquility of nature with its birdsongs.

The hotel has 33 rooms and five suites, each one individual in style and personality. The sitting room and bar are beautifully furnished and decorated with interested prints and paintings; freshly cut flowers from the garden add colour and vitality.

There are three dinning options, The Dinning Room, Clubhouse Restaurant and The Casa de Chá, or Tea House. Breakfast and evening meals are serviced in The Dinning Room, with breakfast offering continental buffet to a heartier option of an English-style cooked selection. In the evening, gourmet guests can enjoy a candlelight dinner in the award-winning Casa Velha restaurant, which is highly recommended.

The Clubhouse Restaurant combines local culinary tastes with a southern European flavours and has magnificent views over Funchal Bay, the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Golfers can enjoy pre-round coffee or lunch and later unwind over a post-round drink.

The Tea House has a privileged position within Palheiro Gardens, right next to Palheiro Golf and Casa Velha do Palheiro, with views of the hotel gardens and golf course, decorated with black and white images of the Estate in the 19th century, serving teas, coffees, soups, sandwiches and salads and a wonderful selection of homemade cakes, pastries and ice creams.

The Spa is a short walk from the reception and features an array of treatments and beauty therapies, as well as heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Turkish bath and sauna plus a smart gymnasium. There are all-weather tennis courts next door and for the less energetic a croquet lawn below the property.

The guest rooms and suites perfectly convey the history, beauty and elegance of the Palheiro Estate. Staying here is to embrace over 200 years of family tradition, and the sense of occasion is tangible. Each room combines classic, bespoke design with contemporary flourishes and are appointed to the very highest standards of comfort and luxury. Located in different areas of the hotel, guests can choose from rooms in the Garden Wing, Golf Wing or the Main House.

Nearest Airport: Madeira International Airport 17km, approximately 20 minutes drive.

Accommodation: 33 rooms and five suites

All guest rooms have en-suite bathrooms equipped with hairdryers and heated towel rails. The senior suites and superior rooms have additional separate shower cabins and include TV, air conditioning/heating, bathroom amenities, room safe and mini bar.

The Garden Wing rooms are located in the wing adjacent to the main building, where ground and first floor rooms overlook the hotel entrance and have pleasant rear-views across the gardens.

Golf Wing rooms, over look the manicured back lawn of the hotel and with glimpses of the golf course, as well as a little more floor space and bathrooms with separate tub and shower.

Main House rooms enjoy a period setting within the Old House, with bright and airy, the antique character is immediately inviting and delightfully informal. Some of the rooms enjoy elevated views over the terrace and rear lawn.

Golf:

Palheiro Golf Course – 18 holes / Par 72

One of Europe’s most beautiful courses, designed by Cabell B Robinson, this picturesque layout takes full advantage of Madeira’s hilly terrain, with abrupt ridges and deep valleys providing a compelling challenge for event the most seasoned golfers. At nearly 500m above sea level, the location is blessed with dramatic views of Madeira’s mountainous skyline and vast Atlantic Ocean. Nestling below, just 10 minutes away, is the capital, Funchal. Hotel guests have privilege access to this championship course.

Facilities:

3 restaurants & bars, outdoor swimming pool, 18 hole golf course, floodlit tennis court, Croquet, English billiards and pool table, birdwatching, hiking & levada walks nearby, Spa with heated indoor and outdoor pool, fitness room, power plate, Finnish sauna and Turkish steam bath