We spent two weeks on Madeira and used Casa Serena in Arco da Calheta as starting-point for discovering the whole island with a rental car. We took a lot of nice levada walks and visited many villages. And what we can say is: Arco da Calheta (with its impressive surroundings around Paúl da Serra) is the nicest place on Madeira. We had a georgeous sea view from our terrace in Casa Serena (We could even see whales and dolphins! Don't forget the binoculars!) and a romantic view of the small town with its banana plantations. Because of the pleasant silence, it is the best place for relaxing, refreshing and dreaming. And absolutely worthy of mention: with very lovely hosts who informed us in the best way before and during our stay. Thank you Catherine and Brian!

Wir haben zwei Wochen Urlaub auf Madeira verbracht und Arco da Calheta als Startpunkt für unsere Ausflüge per Mietwagen genutzt. Dabei haben wir viele Levada-Wanderungen unternommen und etliche Städte und Dörfer gesehen. Und wir können sicher sagen: Arco da Calheta (und seine beeindruckende Landschaft um Paúl da Serra) ist der schönste Platz auf Madeira. Von unserer Terrasse aus hatten wir einen großartigen Blick auf das Meer (Wir konnten sogar Wale und Delfine sehen! Fernglas nicht vergessen!) und einen prima Blick auf den Ort mit den Bananenplantagen. Weil es angenehm ruhig ist, eignet sich Casa Serena bestens zum Entspannen, Auftanken und Träumen. Und unbedingt erwähnenswert: unsere wirklich liebevollen Gastgeber Catherine und Brian, die uns sowohl im Vorfeld als auch während unseres Aufenthalts bestens informiert haben. Danke dafür!

Simon & Annika

English version below.
Mit dem Urlaub auf Madeira haben wir uns einen Traum erfüllt. Wir hatten es uns wirklich wunderschön vorgestellt und durften dann feststellen, dass es sogar noch viel schöner ist, als alle Bilder und Videos vorher zeigen konnten. Casa Serena war der optimale Ausgangspunkt für alle Aktivitäten, die diese Insel bietet. Alles was man benötigt gibt es in unmittelbarer Nähe. Mit dem Auto ist man in 5 Minuten am Strand, um sich z.B. nach einer herrlichen Levadawanderung noch im Meer abzukühlen. Mehrere sehr gute und günstige Restaurants gibt es im näheren Umkreis, ebenso diverse Einkaufsmöglichkeiten. Es mangelt wirklich an nichts. Selbst wenn man mal „Sehnsucht“ nach Stadtleben hat – in 35 Minuten ist man am Hafen von Funchal.
Die Wohnung selbst ist sehr geräumig und bietet wirklich alles, was man sich wünscht. Sogar ein separater Hauswirtschaftsraum mit Waschmaschine und Bügelbrett ist vorhanden. Alles ist top sauper und von bester Qualität. Für uns die beste Ferienwohnung, die wir bisher hatten. Und dann das Allerbeste: Der Balkon mit dem atemberaubenden Ausblick. Hier kann man auch locker mal einen „faulen“ Tag verbringen.
Zu guter Letzt: Catherine und Brian – warmherzig, freundlich, liebenswürdig und hilfsbereit sind wohl die Worte, die diese Beiden am Besten beschreiben.
Fazit: Absolut empfehlenswert und jederzeit gerne wieder.
Now in English.
Madeira - We had imagined it really beautiful, and could then determine that it is even more beautiful than all the pictures and videos have shown before.
Casa Serena was the perfect starting point for all activities offered by this island. All you need is available in the immediate vicinity. With the car you are at the beach in five minutes in order to eg cool down after a wonderful Levada-Walk. There are several very good and cheap restaurants in the vicinity, as well as various shops. Even if you take a "desire" to city life - in 35 minutes you are at the port of Funchal.
The apartment itself is very spacious and offers absolutely everything you could wish for. Even a separate utility room with washing machine and ironing board is available. Everything is clean and of the highest quality. For us, the best apartment we had before. And then the very best: the balcony with a breathtaking view. Here you can also spend a relaxed time, "lazy" days.
Finally: Catherine and Brian - warm, friendly, kind and helpful are probably the best words to describe them.
Conclusion: Highly recomm

Casa Serena provided the perfect base for our holiday. The property was exactly as described and was immaculate clean. The owners are superb hosts and make a special effort to make you feel welcome: fruit and wine is waiting for you as is a very hospitable welcome on your arrival. I would have no hesitation recommending Casa Serena to anyone and this is definitely a place we will return to.

Arco da Calheta is ideally placed on the SW of the island: Calheta itself is easy to reach and has a super hotel (the Calheta Beach) where excellent meals are available at reasonable prices); there is also a supermarket and other small shops. Travel is easy to anywhere on the island - even travelling to Funchal only takes 45 minutes if following the express roads.

Casa Serena provided us with the perfect base for walking and driving excursions and enabled us to see the great variety the island has to offer.

This was an excellent property to stay in and offers everything needed for a long or short break.

Casa Serena was a delight to relax in or return to after a day of activity. It was fully equipped and spotlessly clean. The balcony was accessible from the living or bedroom areas and was a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view.
The Wisteria clad garden was a delightful spot for an al fresco lunch. The popular Rabacal walks were within a 15 minute drive, and other levadas even closer. We especially enjoyed the variety of scenery and wildflowers on the walk from Ponta del Pargo via Cabo. The chocolate cake at Fio Mio afterwards was an added bonus! The shop/cafe in Loretto was a good place to drink a coffee, purchase fresh bread and observe local life. The friendly, English speaking staff at the restaurant at the top of the hill cooked us delicious, fresh fish.
Our grateful thanks go to Brian and Catherine for their prompt response to all our queries both on-line and while we were staying
Our only slight niggle was the lack of on site access to the internet. However, sitting in the car with the laptop, outside the social centre, was a novel experience!

Everything exceeded any expectations we may have had. The apartment was spacious, very clean and exactly as described. Thank you to Brian & the warm welcome along with the introductory fruit and wine.
The location was ideal for non city folk, although a visit to Funchal was easy via the express way and was all the better because we had this base and its surroundings to come back to.
The ocean view was as good as portrayed. The access for touring and Levada walking was also excellent. Local amenities were as listed & all Madeiran people we met were friendly and welcoming. The weather was fantastic through out our stay. Take courage and use the old roads to see the best of Madeira.
This was our first time on Madeira and would not hesitate to come again and to come back to Casa Serena. We would gladly recommend both to our friends and family.
Congratulations also to this website - easy to use, loads of information.

Casa Serena was a fantastic choice for exploring all parts of Madeira. We enjoyed many long lazy breakfasts and evening meals with wine on the balcony watching the sun set. Casa Serena provided the perfect base for a relaxing break. Brian and Catherine were perfect hosts, and the wine, water and fruit on arrival certainly set us up for our holiday!

We recommend exploring Porto Moniz, Funchal, Levada walks as well as local Calheta, with a lovely sandy beach, supermarket and fine restaurants.

We have recommended Casa Serena to all our family and friends and if you are looking for a relaxing holiday, amongst the peaceful Madeiran life then chose Casa Serena, it truly was an amazing place to stay.

Thank you Brian and Catherine for making our stay a memorable one.

Heena & Ben

Our first visit to Madeira couldn't have been nicer. The location, apartment and view were all that one could wish for, posing the difficult decision as to whether to remain on the balcony all day with the customary 'red' or 'white', or to risk a tan on Calheta's superb beach.
The weather was excellent during the two weeks and nothing was too much trouble for Catherine and Brian when any help or advice was required; the perfect hosts. Thanks again for everything.

Pam & Ray

The apartment was by far the best, most spacious, clean and well equiped apartments we have every stayed in. The views from the balcony are fabulous.
Brian and Catherine are the perfect hosts very warm and friendly. Two weeks of sun in the middle of January. it was just what we were looking for,We hope to return for more of the same very soon.