Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Must See Pestana Casino Park Hotel in Funchal, Madeira, designed by Oscar Niemeyer



Problem
The Pestana Casino Park Hotel is distinctive. I loved the descending spiral or curved entrance descending to the dining room which sudeenly ans you round the curve reveals a panorama of the sea and promontaries either side of the bay. But who was the architect?

I was reminded of the descending spiral slope of the Guggenhaim Art Gallery in New York. You would think they would have a huge plaque to the architect. I'ts not Guggenheim. It's Oscar Niemeyer.

Oscar who? I looked him up.

Answer
He dessigned Brasilia, capital of Brazil. he also designed the Brazil cathedral, very modern, with a circular design, and projections. It remidnes me of an orange with extended segment dividers. The casino next door to the hotel looks like that. I like the way the casino is in a separate building, away from children and those who don't want gambling at breakfast. If you've been to Las Vegas, you know what I mean.

One building looks out at the landscape. The other encloses you in a cocoon.

I didn't look up the architect until a fortnight after I had left Madeira. But all credit to the hotel and to travelling. The memory of the view of the dining room and from the dining room stayed with me. One of the world's great views.

Lots to see in Madeira, the CR7 hotel and museum featuring Cristano Ronaldo, the football player from Madeira, and the old thatched houses, small, triangular design, so different.
Thatched traditional house in Madeira. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.


Useful Websites
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Niemeyer
pestana.com
visitmadeira.com
tripadvisor.com
visitportugal.com
easyjet.com

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.

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