Pestana Grand Ocean Resort Hotel

Breakfast was ok, got quite busy at times, usual fare but done well. Bacon and omelettes cooked to order but always a queue. Bottles of cava some days. Overall pretty decent. The outside pools were very nice, with great views 270 degrees out to sea. Pools were all very clean. Bubble jets in the pools were a nice touch. Outside pools were salt water but the spa pool was chlorine. Evening food was a but hit and miss. Madeiran night was very good with huge amounts of fresh seafood, the vegetarian night however was pretty poor. Moroccan restaurant was ok, nice enough food but a bit dark and dingy. The Mira Mar restaurant at the sister hotel was very good with a lovely setting in a garden courtyard. Hotel gardens were incredible, and impeccably manicured. There is a children's play area which may be new as it doesn't feature on any photos on the website, just a small slide and swings and playhouse but enough to keep the kids occupied whilst you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine in the gardens at sunset. Great location, not in the middle of Funchal but still has the Forum shopping centre right nearby, plenty of restaurants and bars, the seafront promenade literally on your doorstep and Doca Do Cavacas swimming pools around the corner. Overall, a very nice hotel, lacking the finesse and luxury of an actual 5 star but nothing to complain about and good for families.

I had a very beautiful room with amazing views of the ocean and garden. It was very convenient that from the backyard of the hotel there is access to a path along the ocean, where you can run or just walk. There is a beautiful beach nearby. Relaxing near the pool is also very convenient; next to it there is a garden and grass on which you can place your sun lounger overlooking the ocean. Excellent access 5 minutes walk to Forum shopping center.

Good breakfast and dinner. Rooms were better than we expected with photos. Free parking. Very nice view from side sea type of rooms - straight to sunset side, so it doesn't make sense to pay extra for upgrade.

Nice, large hotel with many facilities and very helpful staff. They helped us with car rental (and provided detailed information about the possibilities and answered all my questions) and canyoning. The surrounding is very nice, both within and outside of the hotel. The hotel is well located, nearby we found some nice places to eat out or even to do some shopping. We enjoyed the spa. Small, but but turkish bath (steam bath) is nice just like the jacuzzi. And here one can rest in pretty much silence. Loved it.

It is nice 4* hotel. Staff tends to keep everything clean and well working. Everything is as advertised. Location is great. Range of services is just about right. Wednesday dinners with grill are delight! Other meals are just fine as well.