Reviews of Pestana Grand Hotel, Funchal, Madeira

An excellent place to stay if...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2008

Tour Operator:

Thomas Cook

Submitted By:

Dr J Glazier

Comments:

An excellent place to stay if you want a pool/balcony/sea relaxation holiday.



Breakfasts were excellent, but the evening restaurants were somewhat overpriced. There are a range of good alternatives near by but the best by far is the "Real Canoa" opposite the hotel enterance.



Here the set menu is excellent value, the a la carte superb. The staff are attentive, friendly and speak good English

What a superb holiday - this was...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked IndependentlyOwner

Submitted By:

Mr C Ferguson

Comments:

What a superb holiday - this was our 2nd time to the Grand in 3 years and is was impressive to see how the Hotel has matured since it first opened.



Rooms were excellent - good sized, modern and regularaly maintained by the courteous and customer focused staff.



Lounges, bar, restaurants etc fantastic and ideal for evening relaxation enjoying the nightly entertainment.



No screaming kids (or ignorant parents) around the pool splashing and screaming with total dispresect to other sun bathers or swimmers.



No yob culture when it comes to sun beds and space around the pool.



Unbelievable location to just unwind and enjoy!!!

We own a timeshare in the grand,...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Room Only

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mrs Rja Roberts

Comments:

We own a timeshare in the grand, it is a beautiful place to stay, but eating in is very expensive.



The entertainment on some night`s is superb, other nights are quite boring with someone just playing music. Would be a brilliant place to stay if they held party nights or something a bit more lively.



The view from our apartment is beautiful looking out over the sea.

Excellent Hotel. Probably 4...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2007

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

chocolatespot

Comments:

Excellent Hotel. Probably 4 rather than 5 star, but a great hotel non-the-less.



Large comfortable rooms which are cleaned well each day. Fridge and safe in room.



Pools good and health facilities good. Bar and restaurant overpriced, but if you are on B&B - eat out and your will find some excellent food - esp fish at local restaurants.



Would highly recommend restaurant opposite hotel entrance - El Canoe. Good value and great food. Would recommend this hotel and would return if going back to Funchal.

Having read the other reviews, I...

Overall Rating:

5/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Mar 2007

Tour Operator:

Atlantic Holidays

Submitted By:

Mrs P Godfrey

Comments:

Having read the other reviews, I wonder if we were staying at the same Hotel? It's true that the Hotel is in a superb location. The promenade is easily accessed from the Hotels' pretty gardens and pool area and the walks in both directions are very pleasant.



The fabulous Madeira Forum shopping complex is a short walk away and there are lots of great restaurants nearby. We booked a suite as we were celebrating a special occasion, this had a side and front sea view as it was on the west side corner of the hotel. It was spacious with nice furnishings and two balconies. But we encountered a lot of problems.



There was noise from maintenance work in the Hotel and around the pool for at least 4 or 5 days. The room itself had a very smelly rug which eventually we asked to be removed and the shower cubicle leaked on the floor.



The Hotel boasts having 5 restaurants, but most of them were closed and when they were open it was difficult to get a table, I think this is due to parties coming in from the other Pestana Hotels. The staff seem to think they are working in a 3 or 4 star Hotel and need training to 5 star standard. We were very disappointed with the Pestana Grand.

My husband and I stayed at the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

May 2006

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

gwenbaz

Comments:

My husband and I stayed at the Grand for the first time three years ago. We instantly fell in love with both the hotel and Maderia.



We loved it so much we actually purchased a timeshare whilst we were there. We had a room on the third floor with a side sea view which was very spacious with a wonderful bathroom.



The three restaurants in the hotel serve excellent food and are very reasonably priced. I would advise going on a bed and breakfast basis, wonderful selection of food and you can eat as much as you want.



We have been back three times now in our timeshare and love it as much as we did on our first visit.

Excellent 5 star hotel very...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Oct 2006

Tour Operator:

Atlantic Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr N Fisher

Comments:

Excellent 5 star hotel very quiet, excellent facilities and good food, sea views are very good with walks along the frontal promenade, which appears to have close circuit camera coverage.



Local shops within easy reach also restaurants which are very good with prices to suit all your requirements from just snacks through to five course dinners.



There is not a lot to do other than organised trips, a must is the cable car ride which takes about 15 mins each way, the hotel as I said is quiet and will suit many older people who do not wish to venture to far due to the very steep walking conditions, but again the hotel runs several courtesy bus trips to Funchal each day which solves the hilly problems.



The hotel has a piano bar this is the only form of entertainment which again is targeted at the more elderly guests and owners, yes this is like quite a number of other hotels a time share ownership facility, although you would not realise unless you were told.



Weather at this time of year was changeable with sudden squalls which last about 10-15min wind was very strong during this week’s stay, the conditions led to a humid climate which does tend to make you feel quite drained and aching.



Overall the Pestana Grand is probably one of the best hotels to stay at in Madeira.

The hotel is lovely if you want...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

Accommodation2u

Submitted By:

Miss L Hooper

Comments:

The hotel is lovely if you want to get away from it all and relax. There is absolutely nothing to do but lay by the pool and chill out. The setting is delightful and even though there are children there is no noise at all. Very peaceful and very relaxing. The food in the hotel is excellent and you can even have champagne for breakfast everyday. The spa was fun and a nice way to round off the day. The hotel rooms were 5* and lovely views. Would recommend eating in Funchal each night at a different restaurant - the fish is wonderful. A totally relaxing holiday.

Had two weeks in this hotel...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Aug 2006

Tour Operator:

First Choice

Submitted By:

Mr J Ferris

Comments:

Had two weeks in this hotel which is also a timeshare complex but to be honest you would never know unless speaking to other residents. My wife and I had a wonderful time at the hotel which was staffed by first class employees from the maid up to the manager.



A large hotel, it has a number of pools and sufficient loungers/parasols to serve everyone. An indoor pool and gym area is equipped with full keep fit facilities, pool (which covers both indoors and an outdoor patch), sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.



One pool is restricted to adults only with the other available to kids which makes this an ideal location for those who don't want kids 'in your face' when sunbathing.

Breakfast choice is extensive with the only 'complaint' being the time it takes the chef to rustle up omelettes, inevitably leading to a queue build up in busy times but this is really me finding fault rather than anything else.



Staff were multi lingual (shown by the flags on the badges they wear) and conversations were never a problem. Impressed with the bar staff who remembered what I was drinking making me feel just like a 'regular' but perhaps this was more to the fact that I was drinking a malt whisky (from a good selection) which may have made me stand out from the rest.



Prices in the bar, particularly in the evening, were a bit higher than I would have liked but the ambience and service justified it. Would heartily recommend this hotel to anyone who wants a more classy type of holiday - does earn its 5 star rating.

This was a superb hotel. It was...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Apr 2006

Tour Operator:

Atlantic holidays

Submitted By:

Ms J Andrews

Comments:

This was a superb hotel. It was recommended to me by a work colleague and it certainly did not disappoint.



The rooms were beautifully appointed and well-maintained. The sea views from the large balcony are fantastic. Although we booked on a bed & breakfast basis, there is an offer to purchase vouchers which entitle dinner in any of the Pestana hotels on the island. We never made it to any of the other hotels as the choice and quality in the 4 restaurants here was excellent. This also proved to be an efficient way to pay for dinner.



I was holidaying with my mother who is in her 70s and we both found that there was plenty to entertain all ages. I would definitely recommend one of the spa treatments, which are reasonably priced, but very relaxing. I also had a fabulous haircut in the small salon. My mother was very impressed with the indoor/outdoor spa pool with the water jets. It was very beneficial to arthritic joints.



I can not think of a way this hotel could be improved. We are returning in October for another week.

Set on a headland on the...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

All Inclusive

Date of Holiday:

Sep 2004

Tour Operator:

Panorama

Submitted By:

Mr L Ellmers

Comments:

Set on a headland on the outskirts of Funchal, this modern hotel offers beautiful views over ocean waters. The health club provides superb spa and beauty treatments and the complex has a selection of restaurants serving mouth watering cuisine.



There are two outdoor swimming pools and one indoor pool with a sun terrace (complete with sun beds) and a poolside Jacuzzi. There are numerous amounts of restaurants including: Italian, Continental, Portuguese, Moroccan and a poolside café with barbecue.



Nearby this stunning hotel there is Funchal resort centre which is 3.5km away and the sea cliff is 25m away. There is a public bus service that runs 100m from the hotel.



To top this wonderful hotel off there is evening entertainment occasionally and live music which includes a pianist.



This is a spectacular hotel that deserves the high ratings that it has been awarded. An excellent stay!

Certainly the best hotel we have...

Overall Rating:

10/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jul 2005

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

C Tailor

Comments:

Certainly the best hotel we have visited in Madeira on a total of 5 visits. The hotel is very elegant and spacious and with excellent facilities. The fitness room is always my sticking point and this hotel has the latest equipment and plenty of it. Outdoor pools are extensive and sit amid a well maintained garden (which still has a lot of growing to do). We booked direct on www.pestanagrand.com and feel we got the best deal available. Flights booked independently and transfer by taxi.


Friendly staff and wonderful restaurants. There was construction in the final phases to the left hand side of the resort - but were assured it would be over by the end of the summer. However, there was no noise or inconvenience apart from the view. But looking in front there is a wonderful oceanic panorama and nothing in front of the resort except a pedestrian promenade and the deep blue sea. Full marks for a well planned hotel and a value for money holiday.

I can thoroughly recommend...

Overall Rating:

9/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Jun 2005

Tour Operator:

Booked Independently

Submitted By:

Mr P Hattersley

Comments:

I can thoroughly recommend Madeira and the Pestana Grand Hotel. Staff/facilities/location and the weather were all superb.


Some building works adjacent to the hotel but it didn’t impact our holiday at all. No noise coming from the site and it seems to be purely cosmetic now. The view from the room (sea view) is outstanding.



Will definitely be returning.

We booked our holiday along with...

Overall Rating:

8/10

Board Basis:

Bed & Breakfast

Date of Holiday:

Feb 2005

Tour Operator:

SelectAtlantic Holidays

Submitted By:

Mr N Grimshaw

Comments:

We booked our holiday along with friends through Atlantic Holidays and stayed at the Pestana Grand for one week in early February 2005. This hotel is well worthy of its five star rating and is well run with good facilities and polite and friendly staff.



Preferring to eat out mostly and mix with the locals, we booked on a bed & breakfast basis and had only one evening meal in one of the three hotel restaurants. The breakfast was excellent on all days, catered for all tastes, food was plentiful, fresh and was replenished regularly, altogether an awesome start to the day. The evening meal was also very good and not too expensive being served and presented in spotless conditions with a very polite and efficient staff once again.



We were allocated room 1322 on the third floor with a sea view. The room was reasonably spacious but had a disappointingly small balcony and access to the wardrobe was awkward due to the enormous bed being so close to it. A rather silly arrangement as they could have easily moved the bed a further metre away allowing easier access. Obviously the designer’s eye preferred the aesthetic look and has given little regard for practicality and comfort. What we did like about the room was that our accompanying friends had been thoughtfully given the room next door, the two rooms were connected by doors either side which could be locked individually which enabled us to communicate easier. We understand this is not available on all rooms so you would have to ask should you want this arrangement.



Unfortunately, our one disappointment with the hotel was its location, not so much that it is on the Ponta Da Cruz peninsula with its nice sea and cliff views and very, very good walk from Funchal, but its present surroundings. On our arrival, as we were driven down to the peninsula towards the hotel there was heavy building works on all sides of the road with the accompanying vehicles, towering cranes (I counted 8 cranes within close proximity) and the multitude of workmen and the resulting noise they created. Fortunately the week we were stopping the weather was not good and resulted in the patio doors being firmly shut keeping the weather and the noise out. Had the weather been good I think we would have been asking for a transfer.



All the promotional literature we have ever seen clearly shows the hotel standing on the peninsula more or less on its own. This is certainly not the case as the photographs are either pretty old, touched up or conveniently altered to give a sanitised impression of the hotels surroundings. At the rear of the hotel (Cabo Girao side) there are multi-storey blocks of flats/apartments, shops restaurants and a supermarket amongst other things. Looking from the front of the hotel towards Funchal (with the main outdoor pool on your right) to the left is the indoor/outdoor pool and all the building work. First (I believe) there is a butterfly garden being created then the road leading down to the hotel and then all the major construction work. Anyone being allocated a room at the front of this hotel (especially near the road) will not only have a sea view but also a panoramic view of all the current construction work and at 8:00am every day except Sundays and public holidays, they will also be entertained by their own morning chorus which goes on some days until early evening.



However, in say, 18 months to two years when all the building work is completed this will in all probability be a very good place to stay but surely by then you will have to pay much more to do so.



There are many excellent places locally to eat out within five minutes walk away, including The Monumental Grill, O Barquerio Marisqueria, and a little fish Restaurant (which I have forgotten the name of) down a small cliff path (opposite the O Barquerio Marisqueria) towards Formosa overlooking the sea, which was our favourite and well worth a visit even if you don’t stop at the Grand. So if you can stand the building work this hotel is still a good place to enjoy the beautiful island of Maderia ------- if you are over 50.