Quinta Mirabela

Quinta Mirabela is a mid-range hotel at Caminho do Monte 105 in the Monte district of Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Monte sits on the hillside high above the city, noted for its cooler air, the Nossa Senhora do Monte church, the Monte Palace Tropical Garden and the traditional wicker toboggan rides that descend toward Livramento. The cable car from the seafront Zona Velha climbs to Monte, so the hotel offers a quiet, green alternative to the coastal hotel zone while still being only a short ride from the city. The property is a quinta-style hotel with gardens and a relaxed, residential atmosphere. Rooms are offered as double or twin rooms and junior suites, with a minibar, and the hotel's listed facilities include an outdoor pool, a sauna, a hot tub, a restaurant, a bar, free parking and a free shuttle. The shuttle is a practical benefit given the steep road into the city, and the 24-hour front desk helps with late arrivals. Breakfast and evening meals are available at the restaurant, with Madeiran dishes and local wines typical of the offer. The service character is friendly and low-key, suited to couples, walkers and travellers who want a calm base with access to Monte's gardens and levada walks. Rated 4.4 with a middle price tier, it offers good value for guests who prefer scenery to nightlife. Typical outings include the Monte Palace gardens, the Madeira Botanical Garden, the church of Monte and short walks along nearby levadas. Funchal's old town restaurants and the Mercado dos Lavradores are reached by shuttle, taxi or cable car, and Madeira Airport is about 25 minutes away depending on traffic. Evenings can be cool and misty at this altitude, so a light jacket is useful even in summer.