Tag Archives: Breakfast

Portugal, Madeira: 24 Hours in Funchal

Posted on October 20, 2016 | Leave a comment

Funchal Express

Dinner at the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva

Arrival in Funchal: just down from the Ferry (from Porto Santo), I am facing the entrance of the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, located at the end of the dock (photo 1 of the photo-montage above). I’d visited the building with the interior designer Nini Andrade Silva, during the work. What a surprise to now discover the different spaces with her iconic design furnitures and items! Awesome!

I really like the outdoor café (first photo of the post and photo below) and the black and white graphic restaurant with a 360 degree view, of the ocean and Funchal (photo-montage above). The atmosphere is really nice with a tasty cuisine and friendly team. My only downside: I look like a scarecrow after my long outdoors day in Porto Santo, plus the ferry over for more than two hours (lol)!

And my camera has no more battery, bad! Fortunately I Bob (Marley) saved me! There is live music in one of the spaces (videos below) and I feel more relaxed. An island without Bob is no longer an island, right?

Breakfast at the Meliá

Oops, It’s Public Holiday!

Slow wake-up and breakfast at the Meliá Madeira Mare. I planned checking out cool shops of local designers for you (and me!). But everything is closed. So I comfortably lay near the swimming pool facing the ocean. Then I will have a lunch at The Vine and a guided tour of the historical center of Funchal.

Lunch at the Uva Restaurant

The Return

I go to The Vine, another hotel designed by Nini Andrade Silva. I’ll end up to know all of them at least in Portugal (lol)! During the Festival do Atlantico, I had dinner at the excellent Uva Restaurant & Wine Bar (with a French chef) and then we watched the beautiful fireworks on the terrace.

Once more, the restaurant kept its promises. Great lunch! The food looks like paintings! Everything is delicious and the service is impeccable. I really enjoy the soothing views of the city and harbor. It feels good. The Vine and the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, are my two favorite places in Funchal!

The Walk in the Historical Center

More and Less Two Hours

before leaving the city to the Cristiano Ronaldo airport. So I joined one of the guides of History Tellers (an initiative of the University of Madeira Students’ Union (AAUMa). They offer “circuits through the history of Madeira”. In addition to learn about Madeira, you will help students struggling financially.

I’ve already visited the historical center. But I have fun to rediscover it with a “documented eye”. Last time, I didn’t notice some doors and facades cafés in (or near) Santa Maria street, like the ones below. Pictured right: the famous Rainha do Fado,Amália Rodrigues. To read my previous articles on Funchal and Madeira, click HERE.

Informations

Visit Madeira, Visit Portugal, Design Centre Nini Andrade, The Vine, Meliá Madeira Mare & History Tellers

Related posts: HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to Visit Madeira and Visit Portugal for this beautiful invitation. Thanks also to the teams of the Design Centre Nini Andrade Silva, The Vine Hotel and Meliá Madeira Mare. As always these are my opinions.

Portugal, Évora: Vitória Stone Hotel

Posted on July 17, 2016 | Leave a comment

Interior Design by Nini Andrade Silva

Improvised Brunch

in the Vitória Stone Hotel roof terrace with Alentejo biscuits and cheese. Delighted, I discovered the panoramic view (just for me) of this Évora neighborhood without tourists (except for hotel guests) and close to the old city (ten minutes walk).

Blue sky and white clouds: high brightness this morning. After months of greyish skies, the shock (lol)! I have the feeling to “see” in new colors! The seats are distributed on different levels. Attracted by sight, I move at the top level and stay near the small infinity pool (photos below).

Leaving, I go in front of the original sauna with walls lined with cork. Cork represents the Alentejo. Besides, I should write a sauna guide, since my meeting with world champion saunas in the South Tyrol!

The Room

Small But Comfortable

I’ve always found the decorations of the famous interior designer, Nini Andrade Silva, even more glamorous at evening with the different lighting effects and mirrors.

My room reminds me of a David Lynch movies … in part because of the thick curtain covering the entire width of the wall and dressing.

The space is optimized especially in the minimalist white bathroom that stretches the length, wuith an XXL mirror. I like the shower with its simple details. Bedding is also impeccable. In the morning, you can benefit of the small balcony (hidden behind the curtain).

The Hotel

J’aime

the intimate arrangement of the common areas. It allows to meet with other clients. We chat sat in the comfy amchairs while looking at the giant photos of megaliths surrounding Évora. Photo above : lounge in the hotel lobby and bar (left photo below).

The restaurant looks nice too (unfortunately I dined in the old city), with a long table that undulates along the bay window (right below). The toilets are pretty unusual with a huge stone bin for handwashing, mirrors and shadows game. Great!

This small hotel is really glam and charming with a smiling efficient service. I felt great!

Informations

Visit Alentejo, Visit Portugal & Vitória Stone Hotel

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS, DESTINATIONS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to Visit Alentejo and Visit Portugal to this beautiful invitation. Also thanks to the Vitória Stone Hotel and especially the reception team. As always, these are my opinions.

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel: Amazing Restaurant

Posted on October 26, 2014 | Leave a comment

After six hours driving from Lisbon to Sagres… Yes, six hours! No joke, I will explain you why later (coming up post). We arrived around six o’clock at the beautiful Martinhal Resort and Hotel. Less tired than dazed, curious and happy to check out our room and the resort. And a bit hungry too.

Fantastic dinner at the O Terraçao

One of the best fish I’ve ever eaten

Initially the restaurant reservation was for 8 o’clock: no way! I need my time, so I changed the reservation and we arrive at the O terraçao at 9 p.m. Thankfully there are not many people and the atmosphere is relaxed. We sit near the large window to enjoy the view of the city lights of Sagres.

I choose as a first meal a salad with shrimps and fried pineapple (picture 2 in the photo montage above). While my friend has an excellent shrimp soup (1). Then we both choose a delicious fresh fish with a mashed sweet potato and Mediterranean vegetables.

Great desserts nicely presented

Above : my chocolate ice cream (picture 1) and the chocolate cake of my friend (picture 2). Super light! Lol! On the wall, beautiful pictures of traditional Portugese : an old woman and nun.

After these desserts we are so full, we decide to have a walk in the big property and stop at the M Bar (really cool surf bar). But at midnight something, it’s already closed! The Martinhal is a family hotel first. No problem, we even laughed a lot on the way back to the hotel room.

A Scandinavian vibe with a Brit twist

Great interior design in the restaurant (first picture of the post) and lobby, with a cosy atmosphere. Picture above: a view from the restaurant to the lobby. Picture below: one of my favorite part of the resort, the lobby is both modern and retro with a “Mad Men” touch.

Sunny breakfast at the terrace

First morning, I missed the breakfast

because I was sleeping (lol!). So the next day, I decided to wake up earlier to be ready fifteen minutes before the breakfast at the restaurant (still O Terraçao) closes! I’m defenitely not a morning person.

Pictures (above and the last one): do you see the view? Stunning, isn’t it? And the buffet is awesome with jams of local producers, many different breads and sun-kissed fruits (picture below). As for the dinner, the service is excellent.

Informations

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel

L’And Vineyards: Minimalist Design Skysuite

Algarve, Portugal: Anti-stress Massage @ Vila Vita Vital

HOTEL REVIEWS, DESTINATIONS & How To Prepare Your Travel

We were invited by the Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel and as always these are my opinions. Many thanks to the O Terraçao team.

Tag Archives: Breakfast

Portugal, Madeira: 24 Hours in Funchal

Funchal Express

Dinner at the Design Center Nini Andrade Silva

Breakfast at the Meliá

Oops, It’s Public Holiday!

Lunch at the Uva Restaurant

The Return

The Walk in the Historical Center

More and Less Two Hours

Informations

Portugal, Évora: Vitória Stone Hotel

Interior Design by Nini Andrade Silva

Improvised Brunch

The Room

Small But Comfortable

The Hotel

J’aime

Informations

Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel: Amazing Restaurant

Fantastic dinner at the O Terraçao

One of the best fish I’ve ever eaten

Great desserts nicely presented

A Scandinavian vibe with a Brit twist

Sunny breakfast at the terrace

First morning, I missed the breakfast

Informations

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