Quinta Girassol is a beautiful restored old farmhouse, with large gardens, heated swimming pool and direct sea-view, tucked into the hillside above the south coast village of Ponta do Sol, known as one of the sunniest places on the island. It is without doubt the perfect holiday retreat and gives you the beauty and tranquillity of the Madeiran countryside, yet only a 25 minute drive to the hustle and bustle of the capital, Funchal.
A wealthy American-Madeiran family had the Quinta Girassol built around 1920. The manor house was built as a summer house next to the much older stable in the middle of a banana plantation. Decades later the Dutchman van Baaren, who had come to Madeira from the colonies in Sigapur, acquired the property from the Madeiran family. His daughter, the interior designer Jade van Baaren renovated the buildings and the property in the 2000s. The banana grove was transformed into a small park and a nice free-style pool was integrated. The furnishing of the villa, a mixture of antiques, English style furniture and traditional Madeirian wooden furniture, give the house its incomparable charm. The garden, which is crossed by a real levada, is planted with a variety of subtropical and tropical plants. Along the old levada, a rocky path leads up to the stone water tank, on which a newly designed sun deck invites you to enjoy a sundowner. From there you can enjoy an incomparable view of the ocean, the mountains and the old town of Ponta do Sol.
In March 2020 the German actress Angelika Fanai-Nimmesgern and the photographer Stefan Nimmesgern acquired the Quinta Girasssol. The two artists, who live part of the year in their house on Lake Starnberg, have created a second home in Madeira. Both immediately fell in love with the old quinta and went out of their way to acquire it. The Quinta Girassol is managed in the interests of its previous owners and offered to special guests as a holiday home.
Entrance is via a large covered hacienda with dining table and chairs for dining al-fresco, and comfy wicker chairs for relaxing with a glass of wine. On the ground floor you have the traditionally furnished lounge with comfortable sofa, armchairs, plasma TV and DVD player. The well-equipped kitchen with adjoining dining area opens directly onto the front terrace.
Upstairs are the three bedrooms, one with en-suite bathroom, two of which have French windows opening out to a large balcony and stunning ocean views. The third bedroom overlooks the large garden and shares the family bathroom.
The heated freeform swimming pool occupies the south facing sun terrace with sea-views.
Surrounding the pool terrace and to the side of Quinta Girassol are large mature gardens with lawns and trees. Through them runs a real working typical Madeira levada (irrigation channel).
Swimming Pool
Type: Freeform
Length: 9m
Width: 4m to 6m
Depth: from 0,8m to 1,5m
Pool heating is optional and costs €120 for a setting of 24ºC, payable in cash on arrival. For higher temperatures, there is an added supplement of 30€ per week per degree C setting above 24ºC, up to a maximum of 26ºC.Please note that pool heating should be requested at least one week prior to arrival to ensure the correct water temperature; if requested at the last minute or after arrival, the minimum amount is the price for one week, due from the time pool heating is turned on.
The Quinta Girassol is located in the beautiful and sunny Ponta do Sol at exactly 100 meters above sea level. Directly opposite the Caminho das Terças, a steep old stairway, leads to the middle of the old town and the beach. It is only 500 meters to drink a fresh poncha in one of the bars or restaurants, enjoy an espada or immerse yourself in the blue Atlantic. By car, the way to the old town is of course more comfortable and can be done in less than 5 minutes. The property and the carport of Quinta Girassol are located directly on Estrada Regional 222 and can therefore be reached without any effort.
Ponta do Sol resort, at sea level, 5 minutes by car (2,9 Km) away, is very popular for Villas in Madeira, and offers restaurants and cafés (and three small hotels), as well as a couple of trendy bars and 2km from the beach. Before reaching the town, you will find, on the roundabout that provides access to the motorway network, a small shopping centre with a row of shops and cafés and the nearest supermarket. Ponta do Sol is known as the sunniest place in Madeira, and the whole town front is a rocky beach with access to the sea.
There are walks around the hills of Ponta do Sol and easy access to the plateau of Paul da Serra, with its many levada walks, makes this villa perfectly located for walking in Madeira and for enjoying a lovely holiday surrounded by the beautiful Madeira countryside.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Bedroom 1, 1st floor, King double bed, en-suite shower room, sea-view, doors opening to balcony.
Bedroom 2, 1st floor, King double bed, sea-view, doors opening to balcony.
Bedroom 3, 1st floor, One Single Bed, view over the garden, 2nd floor One Single Bed, connected by a staircase.
Bathroom 1, 1st floor, Single washbasin, walk-in shower, toilet.
Bathroom 2, floor, Single washbasin, whirlpool bath, walk-in shower, toilet.
Guest toilet, Ground floor, single washbasin, toilet.
Kitchen/Dining
Fully equipped kitchen. 4-ring electric cooker, built-in electric oven and microwave, American style fridge/freezer, dishwasher, coffee machine, kettle, toaster, hand held liquidizer.
Dining table for 6.
Lounge
Sitting area, seating for 6, with flat screen cable TV, DVD, Bluetooth speaker.
Other
Washing machine, iron and ironing board.
There is secure parking facilities for 1 car. Although not essential, as in most villas, a hire car is recommended.
Exterior
There is a 50 sqm sun-deck on top of the old water tank with sun beds and a beautiful view to the sea.
The way up to the deck is "rocky" and a little bit like a levada walk. Walking the path is at your own risk!
Lounge furniture, a parasol and sun-beds are available on the sun deck.
From there the view is breathtaking.
Internet
This property has a broadband internet connection with a Wi-Fi point, free for guest's use.
We are happy to send you an internet speedtest if you are coming for work and require high speed broadband.
Contracted speed (Mbps): 500
Nearby
The town of Ponta do Sol at sea level, 5 minutes by car (2,9 Km) away, offers additional restaurants and cafés (and three small hotels), as well as a couple of trendy bars. Before reaching the town, you will find, on the roundabout that provides access to the motorway network, a small shopping centre with a row of shops and cafés. Ponta do Sol is known as the sunniest place in Madeira, and the whole town front is a rocky beach with access to the sea.
The village of Canhas is 4,700 metres away, where you can find a chemist, bank, medical centre, cafés and a couple of restaurants. The main road up to the plateau of Paul da Serra, which offers some of the best walks in Madeira, starts close by. 10 minutes by car east is Ribeira Brava, the largest town before Funchal, and that offers another rocky beach and sea access facilities in addition to a large supermarket and more shops, cafés, and restaurants. 10 minutes by car west is the resort of Calheta with its man-made golden beaches, a marina and a further choice of supermarket, restaurants and bars.
The capital, Funchal, is an easy 25 minute drive away on the motorway, and it only takes 40 minutes to reach the airport.
Madeira
Some seven hundred kilometres west of the African coast, Madeira is a stunning mountainous emerald island, lapped by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. The first island to be discovered by the Portuguese navigators in 1419, Madeira became an important resting place on the long trip to the new world. From these humble beginnings, the holiday trade was formed and this spectacular island, which used to be the favourite place of the rich and famous, is now the preferred choice of all sorts of visitors, from those seeking year-round warm temperatures to nature lovers and sightseers, sports and active enthusiasts of all ages. Culture, history, stunning nature, a myriad of sea and land activities, added to a great foodie scene means Madeira has something for everyone. No matter where you go on the island you are rewarded by fabulous scenery, tiny villages and friendly people. With a population of over 100,000, Funchal is not only the capital, but also the 'heart' of Madeira and home to many of the islanders. This makes it a busy, chic, cosmopolitan and fun city, full of shops, shopping centres, bars, cafés and a great variety of restaurants and entertainment; a vibrant, cosmopolitan town where historic splendour and breath-taking natural beauty combine with a thoroughly modern atmosphere.
Cleaning
Cleaning and linen change is provided every 7 days.
All linen and towels are provided, including towels for the swimming pool.
Booking notes
The rental value varies with the number of people occupying the property, so please ensure you enter the correct dates, number of adults, children and infants. Please note that supplements apply should additional people join you for any length of time.
The Cabana will only be made avialble for the 7th and 8th persons. For saftey reasons, the Cabana is only available to accomodate adults and children are not permitted. A supplement applies for the use of the Cabana.
To secure your reservation we require a 30% deposit, or the full amount if you are arriving within 8 weeks. The balance is due 8 weeks prior to arrival.
A security deposit of 200€ is required by credit card.
Final details for check-in and driving instructions to the property will be sent 7 days prior to arrival. A contact number will be provided, and to be able to access the property, you need to phone this number as you are leaving the airport. It is your responsibility to contact and advise the number provided on the che
