American Cabell Robinson designed the challenging 18-hole, par 72 golf course that meanders through the estate across former farmland and alongside the famous gardens, always with fabulous views of the mountains or the ocean.

The original hunting lodge is now the 5-star country-house Casa Velha do Palheiro hotel, a member of Relais & Chateaux. It boasts 37 luxurious rooms and a gourmet restaurant as well as tennis court, heated pool, sauna and steam room.

A limited number of individual villa plots are available alongside the golf course, all with hillside locations. Palheiro Village is a luxurious mix of apartments and villas with clubhouse facilities, overlooking Funchal and the ocean.

Palheiro Gardens attract thousands of visitors each year to enjoy the rich variety of exotic trees, shrubs and flowers. A number of the older trees have been planted by the Count and the gardens are a mecca for camelia lovers.

Florialis is the leading flower growing company in Madeira and produces cymbidium cut flowers, proteas, strelitzias and plants for sale locally and on the European markets. Fields of proteas border the Eastern part of the golf course.

The sport fishing boat M.Y. Balancal belongs to Casa Velha do Palheiro, and is moored in Funchal marina. Available to guests of Palheiro Estate, it is ideal for pleasure cruises around Madeira Island, dolphin and whale watching and big game fishing.