The Pestana Palms, Funchal in Madeira would be our little spot in the sun for the last week in March, we were not to be disappointed!
The scheduled flights on GB Airways (part of BA) and the Avis car hire were booked through Airmiles. We usually pay half cash, half miles, making good use of our Tesco loyalty points by turning them to Airmiles, that way we save for trips without noticing. Unusually our holiday went from Monday to Monday, so on Sunday, I logged on to the BA website and checked in for the flight, reserved seats (Tip, Airbus 320, seats 5A & 5C have an unused section between them, giving you extra space) and even printed our boarding cards. Then all you need to do at the airport is go to the ‘fast bag drop’ and get into departure lounge, one less queue to worry about!
Approaching Funchal airport, the pilot banked steeply to the right, then left, causing a few ‘oohs’, ‘ahhs’ and feverish gripping of partners hands!
I had read that Funchal has one of the shortest runways in Europe, even after it has been extended by building on stilts out over the ocean. Before then planes would land at neighbouring Porto Santo, offload excess fuel to save weight, only then would they attempt to land at Funchal. Later in the week an English resident was telling us if the wind was from a certain quarter, BA would only send a plane with two experienced captains, instead of a first officer, as they have to land manually, with computers off! Scary stuff, but believe me, the island is worth it!
After landing we were allowed to walk the 100 metres to the terminal, not for us a stifling bus, what a civilised place. 30 minutes later we had collected our Renault Clio after unknowingly agreeing to have all the extra knobs and whistles insurance (£63, last time we use you Avis!), and set off with a light drizzle settling on the windscreen.
A twenty minute drive on the new dual carriageway got us into Funchal in glorious sunshine (don’t they always pick rainy spots for airports?) Unfortunately the directions for the complex were in the boot (doh!), but knowing it was next door to the towns Lido, it would be easy to find. Signs for the lido abounded, but as we approached it…Diversion…Victor Meldrew mode kicked in, “I don’t believe it! Why here, today?” So we drove around the diversion, twice, on the other side, the signs for the lido vanished, so we parked the car in a side street and found the resort on foot, 30 minutes and one beer later!
So let me set the scene, we are on the 1st floor of the apartment block (there is also a hotel room block in the complex), I open the door with a keycard. Long passageway ahead of us, spacious bedroom on the right, 2 x 3ft beds pushed together, good, no waking up from each others fidgeting, but close enough for a goodnight kiss, ahh, loads of storage, ceiling fan, dressing table etc. Bathroom, good size, marble & tiles, lots of extra towels, even a bidet (does anyone bar the French ever use the things?), free smellies, wow! Pool towels, what a good idea!
Lounge, kitchen against the back wall, toaster, kettle, coffee machine, hob, microwave, dining table, tv (satellite) double sofa bed, armchairs, double French windows to balcony, curtains closed for coolness, the moment of truth, am I a hero or in the doghouse for the week, as I said the view is everything.
Ah! Huge sigh of relief, the circular hotel room building is to our right (but not in the way, phew!), below us, pretty gardens with bougainvillea, bird of paradise and other exotic blooms. Slightly to the left a pergola with wicker furniture for guests to admire the panoramic sea view before them, but we can see it all the time. Objective achieved, Linda is positively enthralled at the place, it makes all my planning worthwhile when we get an apartment like this, thanks Pestana.
So let’s set the scene for the complex, The Pestana Palms is to the west of maintown Funchal, on the seafront, adjacent to the attractive Lido, a seafront walk and a commercial centre with a handy ‘Pingo Doce’ supermarket and several restaurants; you really could not have a better location.