A really pleasant and relaxing stay at a splendid small hotel; everything I wanted for my break

I stayed at the Quinta da Casa Branca with my partner for some winter daylight and warmth during January. I hadn't ever tried this before and we had some discussions about whether it would be too cold or too hot or too wet. It was just right and we had 11 very pleasant days which were mostly sunny and between t-shirt and light jumper temperature (18-20 ish). We were told it was drier than usual - lucky us!

This was one of the most pleasant holidays I have had in quite a while. Off season, the hotel was about a third full by the end of our stay. The other guests were mostly from France, Germany and the UK. Almost like an Agatha Christie story they all seemed interesting; the older French ladies who we spoke to wandering the grounds and turned out to be staying at a different hotel but who moved in later, the Joe Orton character, and the suave French man with the younger wife

We were attracted to the hotel by the modern architecture and grounds. Neither of these were a disappointment. The grounds were beautiful and there were blossoms which although past their best were still pretty. The shrubs and grass were all well kept. It was possible to hear some traffic noise on occasion and a dog once or twice but these noises were distant and on the air rather than intrusive

The room was not that large, though sufficient, and we liked the way the sun was into the room in the evenings. The superior rooms face the afternoon sun in winter; in summer this may be less pleasant. We chose a superior room on the grounds of the double bed as I think some of the rooms are twin ones

The room worked okay from the point of view of comfort and fittings. The loo doesn't have its own door, so you can be perched on it while people come and go. The door to the bathroom is glass and doesn't shut in either sounds or other airborne effects. The glass bathroom means you light the bedroom up if someone gets up in the night. Good showers (three types). Two sinks. Good air con. Good storage space. Coffee and tea making are provided… 'though you must remember this is a gratuity and not to request more'. The WiFi worked just but was sufficiently fast when you were within range. You need to get a code from reception

Buffet breakfast was good. Not outstanding. It did slightly peter out towards the end of the sitting, but not so as to make you feel disgruntled. It was quite quiet given the range they provided and it would have been upsetting to see a lot of waste

The best food in the hotel was served at lunchtime. Really good 'dinner sized' quality food. More simple in flavours than the main restaurant in the evening; cheaper too. We had several meals that did us for the day and meant we could have fruit in the evening for variety as holidays can sometimes be too much on the food side.

The main restaurant was at the starting at €50 a head price range. I am not a food critic, but some of the courses were too complex for me with two or three drizzles or jus or crushes on one plate. Nothing was substandard but it seemed like they were just overplaying it a little. Also even more minimal on the vegetables than nouvelle cuisine; I had one inch of asparagus tip on one dinner. Atkins diners would delight

The staff were all very helpful and pleasant. The 'worst' were pleasant and efficient and the best could have been doing the job completely out of love as they were so genuine. In a small hotel for a longish break you get very familiar with the staff; I like that (when it works of course)

With it being quiet I adventured into the pool three times and we went in the steam room and enjoyed that too

The one thing that would count as a negative would be that in the superior room block, the soundproofing on the same level was not very good. A German couple with a child moved in next to us on the last three days. It wasn't a problem as they were in sync with my early to bed early to rise ways, but if somebody noisy and ill timed were next to you you might want some earplugs. I took mine (as noise does affect me) but didn't need them

The hotel have a €40 car to the airport; very nice black Mercedes. We took it back too

Have charcoal grilled chicken and chips round the corner down the hill; really good simple fresh food for variety

Easyjet 'priority boarding' seems to work at Funchal despite rumours on the internet that it was a waste of money

This was our second stay at QCB. We were welcomed back like old friends by the attentive,well trained staff. A well run hotel in a beautiful setting. I would recommend it to anybody looking for a quiet quality break in Madeira.

I liked the compound of QCB a lot - very nice, green, quiet. Also I liked the way how old house and new houses where combined. Modern house was minimalistic, shallow, integrated superbly to compound.
There were no standard rooms left, so we were upgraded on arrival We got the superior. Lucky us, because we booked with 40% discount. Superior was huge modern room, it has luxury bathroom, terrace with sunbeds and overview to gardern. It was our last day at Madeira after sightseeing aound, so it was lovely to enjoy sun at pool area.
Extremely good breakfast with pancakes, fresh juices, etc.

This was our 2nd visit to the QCB and we were not disappointed. Wonderful gardens, very friendly and efficient staff, good sized, comfortable room and bathroom (both spotlessly clean) - small patio area from the room with sun loungers facing the gardens. We did not visit the restaurant, but the breakfast was excellent. I really cannot find any faults at all. I left my watch in the room, which is very kindly being returned to me - thank you QCB.