We live here, and we only look after houses we'd stay in ourselves.

Madeira.Vacations started because guests kept asking the same questions after check-in: which levada is open, where to eat in Funchal that isn't on the promenade, and whether the north coast is worth the drive in February. The answers were better than anything online, so we started writing them down.

Today we manage a small collection of homes between Funchal, the south coast and the hills above Santana, and publish guides to the rest of the island. The two things support each other: the guides are honest because we're not trying to sell you a tour, and the houses fill because people trust the guides.

Booking direct means no platform commission, so the rate here is the lowest you'll find for the same property. It also means the person answering your message has stood in the kitchen and knows which road you should not take in a hire car.