Pestana Grand

K C

If you’re thinking of staying here, I’d seriously pay attention to the negative reviews. And don't stay in room 1007. First and foremost, this is most certainly not a 5-star resort. I would say 3 to 3.5 at most. Expectations matter, and if you arrive expecting luxury, you’re likely to be disappointed. The hotel itself feels dated and tired in many areas. While the grounds and ocean views are genuinely lovely, the rooms, communal spaces, and overall finish don’t reflect a 5-star standard. One of the biggest issues for us was the near-constant noise in room 1007. Whether from neighbouring rooms, corridors, or outside (kitchen area), there was very little sound insulation. For a resort that markets itself as premium, a good night’s sleep should be a given — and it simply wasn’t. The mattress was extremely hard and uncomfortable, to the point where it affected our sleep every night. On top of that, the safe in our room was broken on arrival. We reported both issues to reception and were assured they would be resolved. We were told housekeeping would provide an extra blanket to act as padding for the mattress and that the safe would be looked at. By the end of our holiday, nothing had been done. This lack of follow-through really sums up the experience. It’s not just the physical shortcomings — it’s the failure to address them promptly when raised. To be clear, this isn’t a terrible hotel. The location and views are excellent. But it is heavily overrated and overpriced for what it offers. A genuine 5-star property should deliver comfort, attention to detail, and responsive service as standard. We will not be returning and would strongly urge others to reconsider before booking, particularly if you’re choosing this hotel based on its 5-star rating.

sue Johnson

Good location, excellent food and good service in restaurants are the positives to this hotel. Our room, 1249, was adequate, but hid a few negatives; stains on carpet, shower leaked a lot onto tiled floor on every use, so maid had to mop every day- bathroom door needs replacing due to damp damage.The fridge had no shelving. Coffee sachets only refreshed once in a week. Hole in duvet the size of a saucer. This all should be priorities for a five star rated hotel. Sorry, but maybe every guest should be able to note problems for maintence to complete, so the Pestana Grand can become five star.

Grzegorz Markunas

The view is outstanding. Reception very nice, great guy. Room ok. Hotel is almost perfect but.... We have dinner included, but they charge for water!! Also there is no water in the room. Free dinner, but paid water!!! That is crazy.... They charge vip clients for water .... No other 5 star hotel in the world do like this. Cashier woman in restaurant - very rude.

Shakila Matmir

It was one of the best vacations I have ever had and the most wonderful Christmas I have experienced while traveling. The hotel facilities were modern, new, and very clean. The special Christmas offers, such as the two dinner buffets, were very well organized. The reception staff were kind, helpful, and friendly, especially Roberto Ramos, with his welcoming smile and great sense of humor. The young cleaning lady on the ground floor was also very kind. Although she could not communicate in English, she used body language very skillfully to help and serve us. Her speed was unbelievable; our room was always neat and perfectly clean after breakfast. The breakfast buffet was amazing, offering everything you could wish for; cold or warm, sweet or savory. In addition, there were several à la carte restaurants that we could book instead of the dinner buffet. We tried the Madeiran and Moroccan restaurants and were more than satisfied. The grilled beef and other Portuguese dishes were very tasty and delicious, and the tajine was exactly as expected: well cooked and flavorful. Side dishes, starters, and desserts also fully met our expectations. The only point that could be improved was the coffee quality. The only good coffee was the one ordered at the bar, which was overpriced at €5 for an Americano. The wellness facilities were quite small, and the area felt tight even when not many guests were visiting; however, they were clean and acceptable. The outdoor pool area was very neat and clean, and the green areas were also very nice and well equipped. All in all, it was a perfect experience at Hotel Pestana. We will definitely return and highly recommend it to everyone.

Sam

I stayed here for one night due to my flight being cancelled. The room was nice and the sea views were fantastic. However, the food options were very limited and not what I would expect from a 4-star hotel. The location is around a 10–15 minute bus or taxi journey to the town centre, which wasn’t ideal for me. Overall, I wouldn’t choose to stay here again as a paying guest.