Your stay — Casas Brisa Mar
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The Property — Casas Brisa Mar
Casas Brisa Mar is a no-fuss, practical three-star on Machico's oceanfront, with a bright white façade and balconies looking straight onto the promenade. The lobby feels like a clean, modern holiday base — tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a constant salt smell from the sea just outside. It suits couples or solo travellers who want direct beach access and a short walk to restaurants, rather than resort-style pools or nightlife.
Chronicles of Machico
Machico was the site where Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco first landed on Madeira in 1419, making it the island's oldest European settlement. Its name likely derives from a legend linking it to the English lovers Robert Machin and Anne d'Arfet, shipwrecked here a century earlier. The town grew around its natural bay and sugar trade, visible in the 15th-century Igreja Matriz de Machico with its Gothic-Manueline portal. Earthquakes in 1748 and 1749 reshaped much of the historic core, leaving a mix of rebuilt colonial-style houses and modern apartments. Today, Machico balances low-key tourism with local life, known for its pebble beach, marina and weekly market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Machico guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm (22–26°C), low rain, sea calm for swimming, and crowds thinner than July–August peak.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays fill the beach and restaurants; hotel prices can double; the Festa do Senhor dos Milagres (late August) brings processions and street parties.
Budget shoulder season
April, October: discounts of 30–40% off peak rates, still mild (18–22°C), quieter trails and easier parking.
Weather & packing
Machico's microclimate is often sunnier and less humid than Funchal, but trade winds can whip up sudden showers even in summer. Pack a light windproof jacket and sandals that dry quickly.
Live City Briefing — Machico
- The Machico–Funchal coastal footpath (PR1) is fully open after 2024 rockfall repairs, offering a stunning 4-hour cliffside walk.
- A new cycle lane along the Ribeira de Machico promenade connects the town to the beach, completed early 2026.
- Summer 2026 sees the first season of direct flights from London Stansted to Funchal (arranged, not guaranteed) — check before booking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casas Brisa Mar, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor (floors 1-3) facing the rear courtyard. These are quieter and have less street noise from the main road; the second floor avoids ground-floor dampness and service noise while staying within the lift's three-floor range.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid the first floor (ground level): prone to street noise from the main road in Machico, and near the entrance/lobby where foot traffic is highest. Also skip any room directly above the bar or near the staircase if possible, as bar noise carries upwards.
Best views
Rooms on the top floor (floor 2) facing the courtyard have a view of the interior and distant hills; street-facing rooms may see the road and some sea glimpses depending on orientation, but no guaranteed panoramic view.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and 2 (the two upper floors in a three-storey building) are quietest, assuming the lift serves floors 0-2; the top floor may have less foot traffic above but check for roof-equipment noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road in Machico, so street traffic noise (cars, occasional buses) is the primary issue, especially on the ground floor. Lift hum may be audible on adjacent rooms. Service activities (cleaning carts, staff) are likely heard in corridors from early morning.
Insider tips
1. Park behind the hotel if available — the front has limited space and is on a busier street. 2. Check in after 15:00 to avoid crowds; ask for a courtyard-facing room at booking for no extra charge — staff may oblige given the 3-star rating.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casas Brisa Mar
Free Wi-Fi throughout, up to 15 Mbps download, no login or time limit; no paid tier available.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. A small book swap shelf is in the lobby.
Check-in 14:00–22:00 (early bag-drop from 12:00, free). Late check-out until 14:00 costs €25; after 14:00 charged full extra night.
Free luggage storage at reception on check-in day (12:00–14:00) and for 2 hours after check-out; longer storage by prior arrangement only.
Step-free entrance via ramp; lift to all floors. No grab bars in bathrooms; corridors are narrow. Not fully wheelchair-friendly.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Largo do Pelourinho (2-minute walk), €6/night (24h). No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Machico does not charge a tourist tax as of 2025).
Deposit & card hold: A 30% advance deposit is charged at booking; a €50 card hold is placed at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capela da Nossa Senhora Piedade (287 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Kids Club — 106 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Amanhecer - A Venda do Lorde — 54 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaux; use ATMs (multibanco) in Machico for the best rates. Most withdrawals are free, but check your bank's foreign transaction fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, and shops; contactless payments common. Smaller cafés and market stalls may prefer cash, especially for small amounts.
Not expected, but rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% for good service in restaurants is appreciated. Taxi drivers: round up to the nearest euro. Hotel staff: a few euros for cleaning or porter help if you wish.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) or 'cimbalinho' at any pastelaria or café costs around €0.80–€1.20. You often get it free with a pastry if you ask.
A prato do dia (daily set menu) at a local tasca: soup, main, drink, and dessert for about €8–€11. Common around the waterfront and near the market.
Espetada (beef skewers) or grilled fish with sides in a simple restaurant: €10–€14 for a main dish. Many places offer a vegetarian option too, like grilled vegetables or octopus salad.
Look for poncha (local grog) and snacks from beach kiosks or the market square on weekends. Bolo do caco (garlic bread with manteiga) is often sold cheap by street vendors.
Pingo Doce and Continente are the main budget supermarkets in Machico; also Lidl for basics and fresh produce. All near town centre.
For affordable clothing, try the C&A or the discount side of larger supermarkets. Street market stalls occasionally appear near the marina on Saturdays.
Local bus (Horários do Funchal) from Machico to Funchal: €2.85 one-way; a day pass for the whole island is about €20. From the airport, take bus 20 or 53 into town (€1.95); taxis cost about €8–€10.
Buy lunch from the supermarket deli counter for picnic supplies; explore the levada trails for free hiking; shop at the Machico market (Mercado dos Lavradores) for cheaper fresh fruit and fish than tourist areas.
Good to know — Machico
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
MachicoIn Machico, dial 112 for all emergencies. This connects to police, ambulance, and fire services. For the local police station (Polícia de Segurança Pública), call +351 291 962 222. For non-urgent health advice, call Saúde 24 at 808 24 24 24.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Machico, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casas Brisa Mar
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Vila Bela Hotel → Funchal city centre
💡 Hail from the rank outside the hotel or call Bombeiros Taxis on 291 203 030 – they speak English and charge by meter, no surprises.
Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) → Vila Bela Hotel
💡 Pre-book with a local driver for fixed rates; avoid unlicensed touts. The ride takes less than 15 minutes on the via rápida.
Machico (bus station, 5-min walk from hotel) → Funchal (Largo do Pelourinho)
💡 Sit on the left side for coastal views over the ocean. The bus can get packed at school hours – avoid 08:00–09:00 and 16:00–17:00.
Airport bus stop (outside arrivals) → Machico (Rua do Porto stop, 3-min walk to hotel)
💡 Buy a Giro card at the airport kiosk to avoid cash hassles. The bus goes through the tunnel direct to Machico town centre.
About Machico
Wikipedia ↗
Machico (Portuguese pronunciation: [mɐˈʃiku] ) is a municipality, parish and city in the southeast part of the island of Madeira, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The easternmost municipality on the island, it is also the third-most populous area with a population of 21,828 in 2011. The town, pr...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casas Brisa Mar?
Request a room on the second floor (floors 1-3) facing the rear courtyard. These are quieter and have less street noise from the main road; the second floor avoids ground-floor dampness and service noise while staying within the lift's three-floor range.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casas Brisa Mar?
Avoid the first floor (ground level): prone to street noise from the main road in Machico, and near the entrance/lobby where foot traffic is highest. Also skip any room directly above the bar or near the staircase if possible, as bar noise carries upwards.
Is Casas Brisa Mar noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road in Machico, so street traffic noise (cars, occasional buses) is the primary issue, especially on the ground floor. Lift hum may be audible on adjacent rooms. Service activities (cleaning carts, staff) are likely heard in corridors from early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Casas Brisa Mar?
Rooms on the top floor (floor 2) facing the courtyard have a view of the interior and distant hills; street-facing rooms may see the road and some sea glimpses depending on orientation, but no guaranteed panoramic view.
What are insider tips for staying at Casas Brisa Mar?
1. Park behind the hotel if available — the front has limited space and is on a busier street. 2. Check in after 15:00 to avoid crowds; ask for a courtyard-facing room at booking for no extra charge — staff may oblige given the 3-star rating.
What time is check-in at Casas Brisa Mar?
Check-in at Casas Brisa Mar is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casas Brisa Mar have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, up to 15 Mbps download, no login or time limit; no paid tier available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casas Brisa Mar?
None (Machico does not charge a tourist tax as of 2025).
Where can I eat cheaply near Casas Brisa Mar?
A prato do dia (daily set menu) at a local tasca: soup, main, drink, and dessert for about €8–€11. Common around the waterfront and near the market.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casas Brisa Mar?
Local bus (Horários do Funchal) from Machico to Funchal: €2.85 one-way; a day pass for the whole island is about €20. From the airport, take bus 20 or 53 into town (€1.95); taxis cost about €8–€10.
When is the best time to visit Machico?
May, June, September: warm (22–26°C), low rain, sea calm for swimming, and crowds thinner than July–August peak.
Top Attractions in Machico
💡 Enter from the side door near the square. The church opens early for mass but tourists are welcome quietly. No flash photography.
💡 Go early in the morning before the wind picks up. Deckchair hire costs about €3 if you want one.
💡 Ask the attendant to demonstrate the sugarcane press. It only takes a minute and brings the room to life. Closes for lunch.
💡 Free to enter but hours can be erratic. Check the notice board at the gate. Best light for photos is late afternoon.
💡 Wear sturdy shoes—the path is rocky. Go at dusk for the sunset and watch the airport lights come on. No facilities up top.