Hotel Review: Pestana Grand Funchal

Pestana Grand Review Funchal, the 2 bedroom Master Suite.

We stayed at the hotel in autumn 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic

We were travelling as a family and therefore needed a room with 2 bedrooms. Considering this, your choices often become limited, especially when there are no big chain hotels. So we opted in for the spacious 2 bedroom Master Suite in Pestana Grand Hoel Funchal.

Location

The Pestana Grand is located in the south of Funchal, directly at the ocean. You can find many shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and as well as a rather big shopping mall. Furthermore, you have direct access to a nice walking path along the cliffs of Funchal.

Rooms

Our Master Suite was literally huge. Two big bedrooms, both with a King Bed and  each have direct access to their own Bathroom. Furthermore, a guest toilet is right at the entrance of the room.

The living area is one of the most spacious we have ever seen, including a dining table, sofas and a small “kitchenette”.

In total, you have 3 balconies, each offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Master Suite was recently renovated, so it still had a rather “new” feeling.

Each room as well as the living area had a rather small TV, however for the rest you find the usual amenities.

Rooms

Living Area

Bathrooms

Balcony

Food & Drinks

Breakfast was buffet and served at the main restaurant. The choices were very good, from cold to warm dishes and a wide variety of fruits and bread, everything was available. You could also get some egg dishes as well as pancakes at a cooking station.

A problem was the coffee situation. Coffee was not served at the table, but you had to use one of the 2 very slow coffee machines. People were queuing up here, and it literally took you over 5 minutes to get a cup of coffee.

They had buffet also for lunch and dinner here. There was one restaurant open where the cuisine alternates, and you can have some dished at the pool bar.

We ate once at the pool bar, which was delicious, and also once at the buffet in the evening. Here, the food was okay but definitely nothing special in the evening.

Other Services

The Pastana Grand Hotel in Funchal offers a huge pool covering nearly the whole front of the hotel. Furthermore, you have a small children’s pool and many sunbeds near the pool or in the garden area. We never had a problem to find a quiet spot.

Another indoor pool with a spa is available too.

The fitness centre is too small for such a big hotel. You can also find a play area for kids outside with some games like a table tennis plate.

Pool

 

Other

Staff

We have mixed feelings about the staff. Some were extremely friendly, while others barely wanted to do anything.

Another thing which was unacceptable was that upon checking in to our room, in the afternoon, we noticed that the system to adjust the air conditioning system in a bedroom was completely broken. They were able to replace that unit the next morning. Fortunately, the weather was not too hot on that day.

 

Bottom Line

While the Pestana Grand is not a 5 star luxury hotel according to most West European Standards, I would give it a solid 4 stars. Rooms are renovated and clean. The location is ideal to explore the island, so if you are looking for a solid not too expensive hotel, you could give the Pestana Grand Funchal a try.