Pestana Grand

Lynn Chesterton

We were put in this hotel when our flight was cancelled. We had spent the week in a different 4 star plus which was excellent. The Pestana Grand was a very different experience. The hotel has a general shabby appearance, the room looked grubby and shabby, the bed was hard and lumpy, the food was mediocre at best and the restaurant staff were unhelpful and looked very miserable. The bar and reception staff were ok and the grounds are very well tended. The outdoor pools have cracked cement and peeling paint. This hotel could do with a complete makeover as its position is lovely.

Jq Jq44

​My stay at Pestana Grand was a mix of highlights and disappointments. While the hotel’s location is undeniably excellent, several operational and technical issues significantly affected the overall experience. I am sharing this feedback in hopes that management will take constructive action. ​The Highlights: ​Stunning Views & Location: The panoramic views are breathtaking. Having direct access to the promenade is a fantastic feature for those who enjoy walking. ​Convenience: The proximity to a large shopping center is very practical and adds great value to the stay. ​Pool Area: The swimming pool was kept impeccably clean, providing a very pleasant environment for relaxation. ​Areas for Improvement: ​1. Dining Experience and Management: The dinner service was the most disappointing aspect of the stay. The food was often uninspiring and lacked flavor, with frequent shortages of key ingredients. ​Logistics: Poor station layout and malfunctioning machines (e.g., coffee/drink dispensers) led to long queues, even outside of peak season. ​Staff Organization: There seems to be a lack of clear role distribution among the waitstaff. This resulted in many tables remaining uncleaned and unready for new guests, despite staff being present in the dining area. ​2. Maintenance and Facilities: The hotel is showing significant signs of wear and tear and is in need of refurbishment: ​Carpeting: Many carpets in common areas are stained, worn, or lifting, which detracts from the hotel's premium feel. ​General Repairs: I noticed doors swollen from humidity, as well as bathroom and room fixtures that were poorly secured or falling off. These small but visible issues suggest a lack of routine maintenance. ​Summary: Pestana Grand has a wonderful soul and a prime location, but it currently feels like it lacks strong operational oversight. Improving the flow of the dining room and addressing the technical "wear and tear" would vastly improve the guest experience and the hotel's reputation.

Colm Turner

Very nice hotel in a wonderful location perched up on cliffs with a commanding view of the sea. Ambiance of the hotel is great, food is of good quality, pools/sauna/jacuzzi are lovely and only criticism was WiFi was a little patchy. Overall, had a great stay and would definitely come back here on a return trip.

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.