Pestana Miramar Hotel, Funchal, Madeira
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £84
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
The 4 star Pestana Miramar Aparthotel is the Pestana Groups closest hotel to Funchal town. It has been built on the site of the historic Hotel Miramar and great care has been taken to retain a pleasantly nostalgic atmosphere in the architecture and landscaping. The former Hotel Miramar building now houses two restaurants, one cocktail bar, a lounge and four suites with superb views over Funchal Bay. All these areas have received special attention to decoration and art works are combined with classic furniture to create an atmosphere of luxury. The new buildings are set amidst beautiful tropical gardens and have been designed in a rural style, with terracotta tiled roofs and balconies embellished with balustrades in the typical local style. This new Hotel shares the extensive site and the services it offers with another Pestana Group Hotel, the Pestana Village Aparthotel. loading...
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Pestana Miramar Hotel Reviews
" On our first visit to Madeira we... "
Submitted By: Mrs C Carpenter
On our first visit to Madeira we stayed at the Pestana Miramar complex, which is linked to the Pestana Village complex and where the breakfast and evening meals are mainly taken.
The hotel is gorgeous - well landscaped and decorated. The staff are extremely helpful - which is more than could be said for the holiday rep, but more of that later!
The breakfast was superb - excellent choice of fresh meat, fruit, hot food, champagne (oh yes), croissants with chocolate and excellent coffee.
The evening meals were themed around a particular country's cuisine, and we had Brazilian, German and Portuguese, the latter being the night to go somewhere else!
Downside of the hotel was that although they provide kettle, cups etc for the room, they don't provide any tea bags, coffee etc, so you have to take your own. Considering it is a 4 star hotel, it wouldn't have hurt them to stick a couple of tea bags in the room.
The pools were cold (I know it was February but even the indoor 'heated' pool was cold!) but when the sun came out it was fantastic.
The rep at the hotel was conspicuous by his absence, and when he was around, I think that he had lived in Madeira for too long and had forgotten what it was like to be a 'newcomer'. There was lots of assuming that we knew what he was talking about - but Madeira - and Funchal in particular - is such a friendly place, that it was just as easy to either ask the hotel receptionist or just head into town and find out for yourself.
The drivers in Funchal are mad. The traffic was really heavy and there appeared to be quite a few 'minor' incidents on the roads involving wing mirrors. (Not sure what the fuss is about as they obviously don't use them anyway).
The taxis are ok but choose an older driver!
We stayed quite local to the hotel but ventured to Monte (be brave and come back down with a tobogganer!) and the cable car is a must.
The food was so good at the hotel we didn't really venture anywhere but we used the pizzeria which is part of the complex. Another point worth noting - Madeira isn't really set up for children although they seem very fond of blancmange for dessert! Saying that, the desserts are excellent, especially the Petits Four coffee shop just up past the Miramar.
If you are going to stay in Madeira, I couldn't think of a better place than the Miramar although another word of advice - make your own way to the airport on returning to prevent mishaps with the baggage truck!
The hotel is gorgeous - well landscaped and decorated. The staff are extremely helpful - which is more than could be said for the holiday rep, but more of that later!
The breakfast was superb - excellent choice of fresh meat, fruit, hot food, champagne (oh yes), croissants with chocolate and excellent coffee.
The evening meals were themed around a particular country's cuisine, and we had Brazilian, German and Portuguese, the latter being the night to go somewhere else!
Downside of the hotel was that although they provide kettle, cups etc for the room, they don't provide any tea bags, coffee etc, so you have to take your own. Considering it is a 4 star hotel, it wouldn't have hurt them to stick a couple of tea bags in the room.
The pools were cold (I know it was February but even the indoor 'heated' pool was cold!) but when the sun came out it was fantastic.
The rep at the hotel was conspicuous by his absence, and when he was around, I think that he had lived in Madeira for too long and had forgotten what it was like to be a 'newcomer'. There was lots of assuming that we knew what he was talking about - but Madeira - and Funchal in particular - is such a friendly place, that it was just as easy to either ask the hotel receptionist or just head into town and find out for yourself.
The drivers in Funchal are mad. The traffic was really heavy and there appeared to be quite a few 'minor' incidents on the roads involving wing mirrors. (Not sure what the fuss is about as they obviously don't use them anyway).
The taxis are ok but choose an older driver!
We stayed quite local to the hotel but ventured to Monte (be brave and come back down with a tobogganer!) and the cable car is a must.
The food was so good at the hotel we didn't really venture anywhere but we used the pizzeria which is part of the complex. Another point worth noting - Madeira isn't really set up for children although they seem very fond of blancmange for dessert! Saying that, the desserts are excellent, especially the Petits Four coffee shop just up past the Miramar.
If you are going to stay in Madeira, I couldn't think of a better place than the Miramar although another word of advice - make your own way to the airport on returning to prevent mishaps with the baggage truck!
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2006
- Board Basis:Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Having heard so much about Madeira,... "
Submitted By: Sooty
Having heard so much about Madeira, we decided to check up personally on all the favourable reports. We arrived one grey and wet morning in October and were quite amused to hear the apologies.... ‘it’s not usually like this!’ etc. etc.
However, within 2 days we realised that was true. The sun came out and showed us what a beautiful island we had the privilege to be visiting. Not for nothing is Madeira called ‘The Jewel of the Atlantic’.
We were struck time and time again by the most interesting places to visit and sights to see. Moreover, all the people we met seemed genuinely pleased to see us and were so polite. The staff at our hotel, the Pestana Miramar, came into this category, including the maids, who seemed to work very long hours, providing an excellent service which was as good as we have encountered anywhere. The apartment was spotless. Clean bed linen and towels were supplied daily.
Cleanliness appears to be one of the most important aspects and I would venture to say that inappropriate behaviour or dress would not be tolerated.
We did not hire a car and soon realised how wise that decision was; traffic flows very rapidly in all directions with seemingly very few mishaps, although we did hear the wail of police or ambulance sirens on most days! The trip from the airport on arrival was an ‘interesting’ to say the least. The receptionist at the hotel asked if Michael Schumacher had been our driver - this without any prompting from us. Walking to most local places gave us some enjoyable exercise but if we tired of this, buses were plentiful and cheap (and all safely driven by drivers of F1 racing cars in their spare time)
We soon found good eating places, one, the Adejar being on site beneath the main complex. Again, friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way to give top service and always found time to stop and answer our endless questions about their lovely island.
Another restaurant was down at the marina; the first in a row of eating establishments in a crescent only yards from the water’s edge. We liked this one so much that I’m afraid we didn’t try the others at all (our single week went all too quickly).
A well known restaurant just along the coast at the picturesque little fishing village of Camara de Lobos was Churchill’s - so named because of their patronage in years long gone by our famous Prime Minister. The menu is mouth watering and the view across the blue sea stunning, as was the meal and the service provided.
The opportunities for sight seeing are endless. Tours by coach, taxi or people carrier are offered on billboard every few yards along the waterfront, along with deep sea fishing trips. (The commonest fish eaten here is espada - a long eel-like monster with razor sharp teeth; don’t be put off by the appearance as it is delicious!)
Trips are available to all parts of the island (with informative commentaries from the well-versed driver) and in certain areas must be a lot less hair-raising than in the days before the new tunnels through the mountains, although it is still possible to travel in some places with a sheer rock face on one side and an equally sheer drop to the sea on the other. Another ‘must’ for tourists is the village of Monte, high above Funchal wit a beautiful old church and gardens with trees and plants from around the world. We just can’t wait for our next visit!!
Frank & Celia Hawkins
However, within 2 days we realised that was true. The sun came out and showed us what a beautiful island we had the privilege to be visiting. Not for nothing is Madeira called ‘The Jewel of the Atlantic’.
We were struck time and time again by the most interesting places to visit and sights to see. Moreover, all the people we met seemed genuinely pleased to see us and were so polite. The staff at our hotel, the Pestana Miramar, came into this category, including the maids, who seemed to work very long hours, providing an excellent service which was as good as we have encountered anywhere. The apartment was spotless. Clean bed linen and towels were supplied daily.
Cleanliness appears to be one of the most important aspects and I would venture to say that inappropriate behaviour or dress would not be tolerated.
We did not hire a car and soon realised how wise that decision was; traffic flows very rapidly in all directions with seemingly very few mishaps, although we did hear the wail of police or ambulance sirens on most days! The trip from the airport on arrival was an ‘interesting’ to say the least. The receptionist at the hotel asked if Michael Schumacher had been our driver - this without any prompting from us. Walking to most local places gave us some enjoyable exercise but if we tired of this, buses were plentiful and cheap (and all safely driven by drivers of F1 racing cars in their spare time)
We soon found good eating places, one, the Adejar being on site beneath the main complex. Again, friendly and helpful staff who went out of their way to give top service and always found time to stop and answer our endless questions about their lovely island.
Another restaurant was down at the marina; the first in a row of eating establishments in a crescent only yards from the water’s edge. We liked this one so much that I’m afraid we didn’t try the others at all (our single week went all too quickly).
A well known restaurant just along the coast at the picturesque little fishing village of Camara de Lobos was Churchill’s - so named because of their patronage in years long gone by our famous Prime Minister. The menu is mouth watering and the view across the blue sea stunning, as was the meal and the service provided.
The opportunities for sight seeing are endless. Tours by coach, taxi or people carrier are offered on billboard every few yards along the waterfront, along with deep sea fishing trips. (The commonest fish eaten here is espada - a long eel-like monster with razor sharp teeth; don’t be put off by the appearance as it is delicious!)
Trips are available to all parts of the island (with informative commentaries from the well-versed driver) and in certain areas must be a lot less hair-raising than in the days before the new tunnels through the mountains, although it is still possible to travel in some places with a sheer rock face on one side and an equally sheer drop to the sea on the other. Another ‘must’ for tourists is the village of Monte, high above Funchal wit a beautiful old church and gardens with trees and plants from around the world. We just can’t wait for our next visit!!
Frank & Celia Hawkins
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2004
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomson
We were not disappointed with the hotel. We had a lovely room overlooking the garden and outdoor pool and the wonderful original property around which the hotel has been so sympathetically built. The gardens are simply magnificent, and beautifully kept.
On each trip to Madeira we have found the Portuguese people to be so helpful and friendly and this was no exception.
We were spoilt for choice of destination for our evening meal each day. We ate in each of the hotel restaurants: The Adega (Madeiran), Luigi's (Italian) and their fabulous Mira Mar restaurant which consists of several small room scenarios so you can choose to eat in the library, the dining room, the study, the kitchen or the garden room. All are lovely, the food is excellent and the service exceptional.
We also ate at Casa Madeiran, situated not far from the hotel, and at Villa Cipriani, an Italian restaurant attached to Reid's just across the road from the hotel. Both were excellent and we were lucky to have tables on the terrace on each occasion. We also treated ourselves to afternoon tea at Reid's - expensive, but a lovely experience.
Each time we have visited Madeira we have taken the boat trip on the replica of the Santa Maria in which Christopher Columbus sailed off to find the New World - very brave! It is a lovely experience, and the sea around Madeira on a sunny day is like liquid sapphires. The ship's dog (aptly named Columbus) entertained everyone, and the views of the island are stunning. Some brave souls even went swimming under the shadow of the magnificent Cabo Girao, the rest of us watched. The crew of the ship are very jolly and very helpful, answering all manner of questions, then serving a glass of Madeira wine and Madeira cake to the passengers on the return to Funchal.
We couldn't recommend the hotel highly enough - it is so well kept, and the style is very attractive. Everywhere there are little nooks and crannies - a small library with a couple of comfortable seats and plenty of books to borrow. The staff were excellent, especially Victor who served us at Luigi's, reappeared in the Mira Mar, and again with our coffee at breakfast time.
Susan and Peter Jones.