A hotel with history, born of a 19th-century Madeiran manor house that has known to adapt to the times
On the western slope of the city of Funchal, there is an area known as Avista Navios, meaning somewhere one can spot ships from. The name came from the wide view of the bay you get here, allowing one to check on the movements in the Port of Funchal.
That is where we find Quinta da Bela Vista, a 19th-century property that extends over two hectares, surrounded by the city's urban fabric. It is an oasis, transformed into a hotel at the end of the 1990s, first with a building, then with another new wing and also with the adaptation of the estate’s main house, which dates back to 1844.
The gardens dominate, full of small paths paved with black and white pebbles that reproduce the patterns so typical of 19th-century Madeiran houses. There are also avenues lined with trees with many years of history. And there is a tranquillising silence, despite the city.
And there is no shortage of nooks and crannies in the garden, or living rooms inside the buildings, from the so-called living room in the main building to small spaces where tranquillity reigns to read a book or have a chat. There is also a games room with billiards and various board games.
The atmosphere at Quinta da Bela Vista is classic, reinforced by the English-style furniture that also used to decorate Madeira's estates in the 19th century. In this case, the estate's former owner, Dr. Roberto Monteiro, collected furniture, which he displayed for use in the rooms and public areas. The hotel is still in the family, who preserve the style and features, adding dashes of modernity.
Next to the road, overlooking the bay of Funchal, the gazebo is the bar and one of the most soulful places in the hotel. It is next to the swimming pool and gym and close to the mother house. It has a terrace from where you can see Funchal and the bar is open until midnight.
As well as drinks, including Madeira wines and cocktails, it has a menu of meals, not to mention afternoon tea, with cakes and scones and a range of infusions to choose from. On the top floor, a lounge with coloured glass seems to transport you to another era.
The Avista Navios is the hotel's main restaurant, where breakfast is served. A varied buffet and a menu of eggs and hot dishes are on offer.
Dinner is also served here. Every day there is a set menu with a starter, fish dish, meat dish and dessert. The menu varies from a set of 14 menus that are repeated every fortnight, guaranteeing diversity for longer stays.
On the floor, next to the heavy wooden door, the main house bears the inscription 1844, the year Quinta da Bela Vista was founded. It is one of the few main houses of Madeiran estates that, having been transformed into a hotel, retains its original architectural features. The interior has been adapted to accommodate modern rooms and modern facilities. But the structure remains the same.
Another curiosity is that it has an architectural style that differs from the so-called more English estates: the building is more prismatic. However, when it was used as a family home, the estate also adapted to the English style.
The Manor House is home to the classic à la carte restaurant, which has a Mediterranean-inspired menu and a Portuguese wine list, as well as champagne.
In the lounge, right next to the dining room, a fire crackles in the fireplace on winter evenings. You can order a drink and let yourself be lulled by the warmth of the fire.
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