Valley of Nuns Holiday Apartments

Great location! We had a lovely evening walk around the church and area after dinner. We met Manuel, the host, and he was very friendly. We were delighted to meet a fellow South African. We were grateful to use the laundry machine and the bathroom had shampoo, conditioner and soap! It was easy to check-in and out (just dropping the keys in a lockbox).

There were empty detergent containers on the laundry machine. We would have been happy to buy our own products, but the containers made the impression that we could use it. There was only 1 mug for the apartment, so we used our own travel cups to make coffee.

The location in the mountains of this spacious, top floor apartment is exceptional with panoramic views across the mountains and valley from both bedrooms and from the living room and wrap around balcony. The beautiful church opposite lights up and is magical at night. The double bed was very comfortable. Electric heaters kept us warm on the chillier nights; by day it was hot and sunny (April). Our kind host Manuel was on hand at all times as he runs the bar below where he gave us free coffee every morning and advice on buses etc. He became a real friend by the end of the week. The WiFi was excellent. The 7 day a week No 81 bus service is regular (every 1.5 hrs to a timetable) and reliable and for less than 3 euros drops you in the centre of Funchal at the end of the 45 minute stunning bus ride.. Curral des Freiras is a tourist attraction due to its beauty, road accessibility, paths for walkers and church so has several bars, lunchtime restaurants, tourist shops, supermarket. It's busy by day but quiet at night. We loved the community feel with locals meeting at the football bar which doubles as the bakery and the singing event we came across at the church.

Nothing. It more than met expectations.

The apartment was perfectly located with a magnificent view of the cliffs from the bed and balcony (leading from the bedroom). Clean apartment with a comfortable bed. A very quiet village in the evening but we didn’t mind that.

I would have liked a table/ dresser inside the door of the apartment so you could lay down your backpack or sun hat or whatever you were carrying. Some paint peeling off the wall in the hallway. All shops, restaurants and pubs closed at 6 / 7 pm the latest.

Apartment was cold despite using the heaters. Bedroom was nice, however we felt the description was misleading, yes we could see the mountain but only a tiny, thin balcony overlooking the back of the property which was quite grotty. Very strange layout of lounge and kitchen, not at all homely, dark claustrophobic and basic. Position of TV too high. Kitchen not that well equipped, no sharp knives to prepare food, no recycling facilities. We wouldn’t book again as not good value for money. Owner was friendly and responsive.