We have just returned from Madeira where we stayed in self-catered apartment 3E. It has 2 decent size double bedrooms, a spacious living room with a large dining table, a big bathroom and a small kitchen, which contains anything you need to prepare your food and drinks.
Apartment has one small balcony facing the street and the ocean and another large one on the other side, much quieter, perfect for sunbathing in the morning and for drying your towels and swimming suits:-)
Ana, the owner, welcomed us at our arrival and explained everything we had to know. The apartment was spotlessly clean on our arrival and it was re-cleaned once more during our stay, with all bedding and towels changed. We found a welcome pack in the kitchen; fresh fruits, bottle of water, orange juice, tea bags, coffee pods, cheese and biscuits, cookies... A set of shower gel, body lotion and shampoo was left in the bathroom. Very nice touch.
Apartment is situated next to the very busy street - Estrada Monumental - which you can hear despite double glazed windows. However, after a couple of nights I used to the noise and it has its positives - you can't hear any noises in the building itself:-)
Balconies balustrades are quite low and not protected with any higher rail, therefore if you decide to stay with children and you - and them - are not very safety conscious, then this flat is not for you.
It is perfect if you rent a car - it has a parking space in the basement. Bare in mind the garage is very tight, so you will need a very small car or a perfect parking skills in order to park the car over there.
It also perfect if you don't rent a car - bus stop and taxis parking are just in front of the building, there are 3 Spars less than 1 minute walk from the apartment, a larger and cheaper Pingo Doce supermarket 5 minutes walk, plenty of restaurant, bars, car rental companies, tour agencies and anything you may need in a radius of few yards.
Apartment has its own fabulous roof top swimming pool, but if you fancy a bigger pool then a natural bathing complex is a few minutes walk away, which one large pool and 2 smaller pools for kids.
I strongly recommend this flat.
Thank you, Ana.