Ellie Langford is enamoured with the natural charms of Madeira. Describing an eight-hour sunrise hike between the island’s two tallest peaks, Areeiro and Ruivo, the 24-year-old, originally from London, says: “I’ve climbed Machu Picchu and this is harder. The views are insane.” She and her peer group aren’t here for holidays.
Patel moved from Mauritius to Madeira six years ago “as it had everything going for it” — except, he says, a cutting edge. Seeing only a handful of properties over €1mn, he started to build what he describes as “seven ultra-luxury villas”. “I’m seeing lots of Swiss, Germans and French with €6mn-€12mn who want an escape location,” he says. His high-spec, smart tech-controlled properties immersed in nature include a small scheme in coastal Calheta, 35km west of Funchal, called Aurora.