Pestana Royal

Louise Jones

Stunning hotel. We were fortunate to be able to stay here when our flight home from Funchal was grounded due to high winds. The hotel lobby certainly has the wow factor and it also has beautiful gardens that stretch down to the pool and jacuzzi areas. It is also close to the beach, which has black sand. The hotel is all inclusive and the food is amazing. When we stayed, the theme was French cuisine and there was plenty of choice and lots for us to eat as vegans. Everything was delicious and fresh. The staff made sure our wine glasses were always topped up. There is also a bar where the entertainment takes place and this has a cocktail bar as well as self serve areas and a snack bar. We enjoyed the board games and musical entertainment. The indoor pool was a bit cold but we enjoyed our swim and the sauna and outdoor jacuzzi. The rooms were very clean and well maintained. Our balcony overlooked the beautiful garden. Thank you for looking after us during a difficult situation and making us feel like welcome guests. The staff were all so kind to us.

Matt G

This is most definitely not a 5-star hotel, at best 2 to 3 stars. We had a lovely 7 nights in a hotel which was rated four stars and was a much, much nicer hotel (modern, clean, no cockroaches, nice food etc.). My partner and I were staying for two nights due to a cancellation of all flights (weather) and this was the hotel Jet 2 arranged. In hindsight, I wish I had just booked my own accommodation. The first room when we arrived had a very strong moldy smell and had bird poo all over the balcony. The bathroom was also moldy and about two plug sockets it the room. My partner is pregnant, so we asked to change due to the potential health issues. The staff were very helpful and moved us to another room. This room was a little musty but not as bad. However, we then had ants and cockroaches to attend with, so I guess they probably have no good rooms. The hotel is very dated, and needs a refit (starting with the bedrooms). I am not a fussy eater, but the food was terrible. As stated in other reviews, the only good point going for the hotel is the staff. The outdoor space and gardens were nice and good access to the beach. I would not repeat not book this hotel. Also, if your flight gets canceled, definitely book your own hotel room. I can see why the airlines book this at a rock bottom price.

david zita

Overall it was a fantastic a break i really needed. Staff fantastic, moody maids (but maybe a few bad days). Food was wonderful and plentiful. Sauna and indoor pool lovely. Forget the gym it's tiny. The pools excellent,drinks selection fantastic, I'm not going to be too picky but the rooms let it down. Tired, cobwebs,dusty, not the cleanest, empty shampoo not topped up all week, had to leave notes for the maid to top stuff up. Pillow cases had old mould marks. Towels mega thin and rough. Feel like I'm a moaner but when you're paying good money for 5* you expect it. Doesn't help i suppose that my wife is editor/owner of a luxury lifestyle magazine and we are spoilt when going away by hotels, you only see the best they have to offer.

alex redhair

The holiday overall was fine but we wouldn't choose it again for a number of reasons. We chose because it had the transfer included for our new-born and thought it was suitable for families. However the area where its located doesn't have all that much in the vicinity and the access to the beachfront is down many many steps. Access to the hotel is also down a steep road. Within the hotel itself to access the main food hall you need to take 2 elevators when with a stroller which can take a long time and wait. Similarly the indoor swimming pool access has many steps. The garden was very pretty with tropical plants, the sunset view was pretty too, also the room view was not too bad. Some staff was friendly and down to earth some glum, I still remember asking for a hot omelette just finished rather than a cold one on the tray one and the lady rolled her eyes like I had asked her to lay an egg. One younger front desk staff seemed to also imply we could not take taxi's with our new-born and getting information from this hotel seemed sometimes very difficult. It was a "new" experience for us staying in such a package hotel and a little bit like faulty towers at times. Some senior staff were more clued up, but it did sometimes feel like the standard was not what we had experienced when staying at similarly priced hotels in madeira old town. The food was okay, lunch seemed better with clams and seafood than the evening meals but . The cold food salad area always seemed much better than the hot food, and we didnt like the cakes at all. Breakfast was better, but don't expect bacon as you know. However the fruit was always good. We did our best to try to eat evening meals outside when we could as it was overall nothing special but still filling enough and convenient to have it there. The Italian theme restaurant is not worth the hassle of trying to book, and getting a reservation isn't that easy unless you plan ahead. It isnt Italian food as I know it, (i was in Napoli the week before), and the Diavola pizza had no spice, but chicken instead. It was not a good experience, but the pizza was probably the best part compared to the other faux dishes. The inclusive red wine is best avoided. and as comically stated you have the choice of red, white and rose. However the free cocktails at the pool bar were not too bad, in the end we bought our wine from the nearby supermarket and managed eventually to get a corkscrew from the food hall, as the front desk could not provide. The tv in the room didn't work, neither did the phone which left my partner having to chase down staff for water bottles, but a friendly housekeeper did provide a few for us. The room was fine for what we expected, large enough, a fridge and small balcony with a nice view. They tidied everyday too. Overall it wasn't a bad experience, just seemed somewhat dated and comically run, the food hall on occasion got very rowdy one evening with polish drinkers too which did create some tension. Many around seemed happy with the food, and the stay , perhaps it just wasn't our bag. As a 4* stay we still had a good holiday.

Barbora Veselá

Beautiful traditional hotel in a fantastic location with amazing views of the ocean. The staff were incredibly kind and helpful, and really made our stay feel warm and welcoming. It’s close to Funchal and the hotel offers a free shuttle twice a day. There are buses going to different towns around the island too, which makes it easy to explore. The food was excellent every day (especially the desserts) and breakfasts were made extra special by live music every morning – guitar or piano – which added a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. Room service was excellent too! The hotel is suitable for everyone: elderly guests, young couples and families. There are several pools, plenty of sun loungers, a mini golf, a tennis court, and even a simple spa and a gym. I loved how close it was to the beach, with an elevator leading down the cliff straight to the sea – very convenient, and the waves were great fun! The only minor issues were a slight damp smell in the cupboards (all my clothes smelled even after arriving home and washing the clothes in the washing machine...), and the coffee, which wasn’t great – if you’re a coffee lover, you’ll probably want to find a café outside the hotel. Overall, we had a wonderful week, met lovely people, and left with great memories. I’d definitely recommend this hotel and will happily return!