Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Located above Funchal, the Choupana Hills is a hotel that gives you the impression of being away from it all. Those who like peace will appreciate its bungalow accommodation, gourmets will treat themselves at the restaurant and all those wishing to relax in a Zen atmosphere will undoubtedly try the treatment centre. An exceptional place to stay!
Choupana Hills Resort - © Miguel Vitor / Choupana Hills
Choupana Hills Resort - © Miguel Vitor / Choupana Hills
Above Funchal, at an altitude of 1,969 ft and 3 mi away from the city centre. The airport is 16 mi away. Transfer time is around 35 minutes.
The 64 bedrooms (4 of which are suites) are housed in 34 bungalows. All rooms overlook the Bay of Funchal, although the view can sometimes be slightly obstructed by plants or the roofs of neighbouring bungalows. To enjoy an optimal panoramic view, ask for a bungalow located near to the swimming pool or on a much lower level. The teak terrace surrounding each bungalow on 3 sides is very pleasant until late in the evening. It is equipped with teak garden furniture that matches the setting perfectly. The bed is the strong point of the furniture inside the rooms. It is of the four-poster variety and is in the centre of the room. At the back, there are tea and coffee-making facilities on the window sill. At the front, a large lounge area allows you to watch satellite TV in complete peace and quiet. The bathroom, with separate toilet, has a bathtub, towel-dryer, bathrobes, hair-dryer and Pascal Morabito hospitality products in a lovely wicker basket. A varnished wooden floor, polished stone and wood are the materials used, in perfect continuation of those used for the communal areas.
Opened in March 2002, the Choupana Hills consists of two single-storey buildings connected to each other by a walkway. The first one houses the reception, a small library and a lounge with elegant furniture (teak sofa with burgundy fabric, old chest inlaid with lacquer and ivory, etc.). The second one houses the Xopana restaurant on the ground floor and the Basalt bar on the first floor. All the bedrooms are located in bungalows spread over the lower level. You can access them on foot, by taking the stairs or by buggy (small electric car) from the reception. The roofs are covered with red tiles (typical of Madeira) and the façades are brightly coloured (yellow or orange). Inside, the exposed roofing increases the illusion of space. The intentionally simple lobby does not have a reception desk as such, just two desks surrounding a statue of Buddha. Located on a lower level, the 2,691 sq ft outdoor swimming pool has a particularly relaxing blue-green colour that matches the eucalyptus and mimosa forest surrounding the property perfectly. A paved solarium terrace surrounds the swimming pool on 3 sides. It is well-equipped with teak deckchairs and white canvas parasols. Cushions and towels are available free of charge.
At the only restaurant at the Choupana Hills, the Xopana, the cuisine is prepared by the chef Gilles Galli, who was trained by Alain Ducasse. Lunch and dinner are an important time of the day, both for the pleasure of both the eyes and the palate. In a lounge with red and black slate decor, the materials (wood and stone) match the rest of the hotel perfectly. Settle into one of the deep, red armchairs with quilted wooden armrests and Japanese drawings to sample fantastically presented dishes. For breakfast, the buffet is sober but sufficient: various cooked meats, cheese, fresh fruit juices, bread and Viennese pastries. The hot buffet offers sausages, scrambled eggs, tomatoes and mushrooms. For dinner, prawns tempura with sesame seeds and creamy cauliflower and shellfish bisque, chicken wings "cozido" and foie gras flavoured with star anise or passion fruit soufflé, sorbet and kiwi coulis for dessert ... Besides these three examples of excellent taste, an interesting selection of fish, meat, salads and pastries awaits you. The hardest thing is choosing! The service is fast, efficient and considerate. Allow around £107 for a full meal. On the first floor, the Xopana bar allows you to continue the evening with another drink, comfortably seated at the chrome-plated bar or in one of the contemporary lounges with brightly coloured fabric. In the morning, breakfast is served in the form of a buffet. Trays of fresh fruit, various juices (carrot, tomato, orange, passion fruit, etc.), bread rolls and homemade cakes (including a delicious banana cake) are served alongside the more traditional scrambled eggs, cheese, cooked meats and cereals. With regards to the presentation, there is refinement in every detail: the preserved are served in small lacquered dishes with gorgeous silver spoons!
The Choupana Hills is unique in many respects. Its location, above Funchal, offers an unobstructed view of the bay which is spectacular by day and by night. The bungalow accommodation with a maximum of two bedrooms provides guests with space and privacy. The decor is mostly wooden (tali from Guyana) and stone (azuline from Portugal), with Asian influences. It is initially surprising, but you will soon be bewitched by this refined setting where no detail is left to chance. For those wishing to go to the city centre, a free shuttle service is available 5 times a day. The hotel provides a treatment centre for those wanting to enjoy the peacefulness of the premises above all. This has a beautiful indoor swimming pool with massage pipes, a sauna and a hammam. However, the place is rather lacking in privacy and charm. Various face and body treatments are on offer using Sothys products. Aromatherapy, Rhassoul exfoliation and treatment baths are also available. A word of advice: try the "hot stones" massage. Remember to book your appointment in advance, though, as the schedule is often very busy.
massage, beauty salon, sauna, hammam, keep fit, spa, Turkish bath
gym, golf, mountain bike, water-polo, fitness, sports
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