History
The Casa Velha do Palheiro was built in the early 19th Century as a hunting lodge for the Count Carvalhal and was bought in a public auction in 1885, by John Burden Blandy.
The Casa Velha ‘Old House' was restored in 1996 and opened on 1st May 1997 as Madeira’s first five-star Country House Hotel. The original five bedrooms were restored, two new rooms overlooking the count’s carriageway entrance were added and the master bedrooms were converted into Junior Suites.
The Casa Velha now has three separate buildings. The 'Old House’; with public areas, 3 Junior Suites and 7 deluxe rooms, the ‘Garden' building with 14 standard rooms and the new building overlooking the golf course, which houses 3 Senior Suites, 10 superior rooms and a sitting room.
Nestled in the hills to the east of Funchal, Casa Velha do Palheiro is situated just 7 km (15 minutes) from the centre of Funchal.
The Casa Velha is surrounded by 120,000 m² of landscaped subtropical gardens, the Palheiro Gardens. Many of the centenary trees in the gardens were planted in the early 19th century. It is also believed that Dom Joao VI, King of Portugal, gave many of the huge specimen trees to his friend, the Count.
The Casa Velha’s other neighbour is the championship Palheiro Golf Course has been chosen as 'one of the 6 most stunning golf courses in the world' by Golf Monthly, November 1999.
The Casa Velha do Palheiro Dining Room offers 'haute cuisine', Table d'hôte and à la Carte menus presented by the award-winning French chef. Benoit Sinthon, joined the Casa Velha do Palheiro in August 1999 as Executive Chef.
Originally from Aix en Provence, in the south of France, he has worked in fine French hotels, such as the 'Château de Rochegude', a one star Michelin restaurant and Relais & Château near Avignon. After the Château de Rochegude he visited Madeira and worked in the Reid's Palace Hotel in Funchal, where he ran the kitchen of their Fine Dining Restaurant 'Les Faunes'. From Reid's Palace, Benoit decided to return to France, however, he always kept a soft spot in his heart for Madeira. Upon returning to France, he worked in 'La Côte de Saint Jacques', considered as one of the best restaurants in France, a three star Michelin restaurant and part of a Relais & Château hotel. He brings with him the experience gained in these and other fine restaurants. Benoit also visits the marketplace regularly to guarantee extremely fresh produce in his dishes. He mixes traditional Portuguese dishes with his culinary expertise, to create an à la Carte menu, which has already been recognized in Madeira as one of the finest on the island. Guests at the Casa Velha may enjoy a wide variety of menus. As well as the superb a la Carte menu, a Daily menu, a Light Meal menu and a Gourmet menu. The Light Meal menu is also available as the Room Service/Lunch menu. This menu may be served in the Bar, in the Morning Room or in the privacy of your Room. The Gourmet menu is a seven-course taste experience, is prepared per table,and includes four accompanying Portuguese wines. Seating Capacity: Dining Room: 28, Wintergarden: 42 Opening hours: Breakfast: 08:00 – 10:00, Lunch: 12:30 – 14:30, Dinner: 19:00 – 22:00 Palheiro Golf Clubhouse The Casa Velha's Bistro restaurant is situated circa 500 metres from the Casa Velha do Palheiro, in the Palheiro Golf Clubhouse. The ideal place for a light meal during the day or an early dinner, the panoramic terrace offers some of the most breathtaking views in Madeira, overlooking the Bay of Funchal. Seating Capacity: Main room: 43, Banquets: 100 Opening hours: Snacks: 08:00 - 10:00, Meals: 10:00 - 20:00 Bar The perfect place for an aperitif before dinner or for a light snack after a round of golf. Seating Capacity: 43 Opening hours: 10:00 – 23:00 Pool Bar The Pool Bar offers not only drinks and refreshments, but also salads, sandwiches and light meals. Seating Capacity: 15 Opening hours: 12:00 – 16:00 (Summer season only) Room Service Room service is available daily between 08:00-23:00
Golf Facilities:
The Casa Velha do Palheiro is the ideal hotel for the visiting golfer. As the only hotel on the island placed 'on' a golf course, the Casa Velha is able to offer various favourable packages. 1. Individual green fees: 30 % Discount on individual green fees at Palheiro Golf 30 % discount on individual green fees at Santo da Serra golf. 2. "Special Golfing Week" Summer 140 Euros/Week - Winter 210 Euros/Week Unlimited golf at Palheiro Golf Golf gift Guaranteed starting times Free use of trolley for tee off from the hotel Bag Storage 3 Drink vouchers for use in the halfway house or clubhouse Guests staying in Superior rooms or Suites for seven or more nights from June to August receive our "Special Golfing Week" free of charge. Golf Facilities
- Putting green*
- Driving range*
- Two driving nets*
- Club repair facility*
- Bag storage facility.
- Club cleaning facility*.
- Guaranteed tee-off time.
- Short game practice area*
- Fully equipped Pro Shop*
- Full hire equipment available*
- Trolleys available from hotel.
- Privileged tee-off time from Hotel location.
- Private bag storage facility in Superior Rooms and Suites.
(Facilities marked with * are located less than 500 metres from the Casa Velha , and are part of adjacent Palheiro Golf Course)
- Direct Dial Telephones
- Internal video channel
- Daily Turndown Service
- Internal television channel
- 24-Hour Reception service
- Mineral water and fruit basket
- Welcome gift in all rooms on arrival
- Radio (Additional television channel)
- Bathroom amenities of highest quality
- Central heating with individual control
- Writing desk with stationary set in all rooms
- Room Safe (Small charge – 1,800 Esc/Week)
- Mini Bars in all Superior rooms, Junior Suites and Suites
- 30-Channel cable television including BBC World, CNN, CNBC and SAT-1
- Directory of Services with extensive information on hotel and Madeira in all rooms
- All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, equipped with hairdryers and heated towel rails. All suites and superior rooms have additional separate shower cabins. Suites equipped with Whirlpool baths.
Others :
- Lounge / Bar
- Sitting room
- Games Room
- Private Parking
- Wake up service
- Medical Doctor on call
- Morning room / Library
- Meeting Room / TV Room
- Multi-lingual hotel personnel
- No charge for incoming faxes
- 7 day In-house Laundry Service
- Dry Cleaning (next day service)
Leisure:
- Billiards
- Cards table
- Board games
- Sauna – no charge
- Steam Room – no charge
- All weather floodlit Tennis Court
- Badminton, Croquet, Table Tennis
- Free entrance to Palheiro Gardens
- Aromatherapy and Lymphatic drainage Massage
- Heated (23º) outdoor Swimming Pool (16 x 8 m)
- Golf (see separate page) – Adjacent to Palheiro Golf Course
Standard Rooms
Located in the "Garden Wing" adjacent to the main building. These spacious rooms also feature a custom built golf bag rack.
Deluxe Rooms
Within the "Old House", each Deluxe Room is unique with the character and charm of a home away from home.
Superior Rooms
Situated in the "New Wing" overlooking the golf course and gardens with floor length windows, the superior rooms offer space and bathrooms with separate bath and shower.
Junior Suites
Within the "Old House", each of the Junior Suite offer a rare combination of space and light with wonderful views over the gardens and front lawn.
Senior Suites
Located in the "New Wing" with separate bedroom and sitting room. The Senior Suites bathrooms also have separate Whirlpool-bath and shower.
All rooms at Casa Velha do Palheiro have en-suite bathrooms, equipped with hairdryers and heated towel rails. All suites and superior rooms have additional separate shower cabins. Senior Suites are equipped with Whirlpool-baths.
- 30-Channel cable television including BBC World, CNN, CNBC and SAT-1
- Central heating with individual control
- Bathroom amenities of highest quality
- Direct dial telephones
- Room safe
- Internal television channel
- Internal video channel
- Minibars
- Radio (Additional television channel)
- Daily Turndown Service
- Welcome gift in all rooms on arrival
- Writing desk with stationary set
- Directory of Services with extensive information on hotel and Madeira
- 24 hours Reception service
