Madeira Region

Americans Rediscover Madeira Island with new packages from $939 for Air and Hotel

Monday, 29 August 2011 00:00

Warm Winter Escape, New Destination - Americans Rediscover Madeira Island with new packages from $939 for Air and Hotel

Looking for a new winter escape that is not the same old Caribbean, but that is affordable and warm? Madeira Island off the coast of North Africa is closer this fall and winter with new flights from Boston and expanded packages starting at a mere $939 for round-trip air and hotel.  Portuguese airline Azores Express/SATA has new 6-night packages from Boston Logan Airport to Funchal (via the Azores) with more flights to choose from and eight hotels. Prices, including roundtrip air, hotel, and breakfast start at $939 per person, before taxes and fees. Hotel transfer can be added to the package at a nominal charge.

 

On the service from Boston to Madeira passengers can upgrade from coach to SATA Plus Business-Class for just a few hundred dollars each way. All packages include breakfast. Kids under 6 stay free, and pay only a child’s airfare.

Madeira has a nearly perfect climate—warm and clear in winter with temperature in the 70s.  Volcanic cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea characterize Madeira’s fascinating landscape. The islands steep rise creates six unique climate zones, each with its own beautiful flora and fauna that contribute to the comparison of Madeira with Hawaii.

Visitors come for the natural beauty, and they stay to experience the ocean, golf, hiking, deep sea fishing, diving, an old world charm of the island and its mountains and seaside towns. Madeira remains an uncrowned and sophisticated pearl of European charm, where visitors can experience the sea, mountain hiking, or city culture.

George Washington was a great fan of Madeira wine.

New this year is the Enotel Lido, with an all-inclusive package that starts at just $1,379 per person. Set on Madeira’s sunny southern coast, the Enotel Lido offers 5-star conveniences and hospitality. Guests have access to a wide selection of fun with swimming pools, the squash court, gymnasium, and the Thalassothys Spa. Also new is the Porto Bay Porto Santa Maria hotel from $1,469 pp. Porto Santa Maria is set on the sea in the middle of the historic heart of Funchal. Close by are the cable cars which link Funchal with Monte, Forte de São Tiago (a fortress built at the beginning of the 17thcentury) and the famous Mercado dos Lavradores

Hotels include the four-star Four Views, Estrelicia, Cliff Bay, Pestana Carlton, Porto Santa Maria, Baia Azul, and the new Pestana Prominade. All hotels offer seaside views, outdoor saltwater pools and full resort facilities.

Azores Express has connected New England with Portugal for more than 20 years. Today it offers direct flights on a wide body A310 aircraft to São Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago. Connecting flights from São Miguel to Lisbon, Porto and/or the islands of Madeira are available. The company is part of the SATA Group. For more information and reservations, contact Azores Express at 800-762-9995, www.sata.pt.

Reopening of the hotel Quinta do Furao in Santana, Madeira on May 6, 2011

Saturday, 28 May 2011 00:00

The hotel was completely refurbished and in addition to a new decor in the rooms, some pieces were added in order to provide even greater comfort. The lobby and breakfast room were thoroughly reviewed, and there was also an intervention in the pool area, gym and restaurant. Click here for more information.

Four Views Oásis Reopens on Madeira

Thursday, 26 May 2011 00:00

After a renovation the Group Four Views Madeira Caniço de Baixo reopens doors on June 21, 2011. Environmental sustainability guided the entire renovation project. With this refurbishment, which includes all 224 guest rooms and public areas, a spa - Four Stones - and a new category of rooms, Superior. The reopening brought "show cooking ", a total renovation of both restaurants, and another new space, the trattoria " Calhaus", new bar / restaurant pool. The dominant note in this remodeling is environmental sustainability, under the Eco Hotel Group. So among the changes introduced in this remodeling is the installation of solar thermal for water heating, electricity generation by solar energy, use of local source of water for various uses such as watering gardens, and the full use of LED lamps.

Green Lince Hotels & Resorts buys Lido Atlantico Hotel

Monday, 16 May 2011 00:00

The Green Lince Hotels & Resorts group is the new owner of the Lido Atlantico Hotel in Funchal, renamed The Lince Madeira Atlantic Lido Hotel, a four star hotel with 74 rooms. The Lince Hotels & Resorts group also has a unit in Ponta Delgada, the Lince Azores Great Hotel Conference Golf and SPA. When contacted by Publituris, the group’s president, João Silva, would not reveal the amount of the acquisition. He explained that since the forming of the group four years ago, the objective has been to acquire two units in the space of two to three years. The group had been searching for an opportunity in Lisbon, but ended up closing the deal in Funchal.
The process of full integration of the Hotel is  on track and should be completed within 30 days.