We live here. Nothing goes on this site until we've seen it ourselves.

Madeira.Vacations began with three questions guests asked after every 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. Our answers were better than anything online, so we wrote them down — and kept going until we had covered the best sixty-odd places on the island.

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.