Pestana Village Garden Hotel

Everything! The hotel is beautiful and relaxing just to be in such a nice environment. The gardens are lovely to sit and relax. The staff were all pleasant and so hard working. Everywhere was clean and covid regulations being followed. It was really quiet as it was off season so no where was cramped or too busy. Breakfast was great as there was so much choice. I did eat dinner once in the hotel at the buffet and that was also really nice. There was live music on Saturday and they were fantastic. The room was perfect and spacious and clean. Plenty of storage in the room. The location for me was great it seems to be just in the middle of the tourist lido area and the centre of Funchal. About a 10-20 min walk to get to where you want to be. You could also take the bus and the hotel is on a main road so plenty of buses came right outside ( including the airport bus).

All of the pools were cold. The outside ones were freezing although that didn’t stop me using them I just had to prepare myself for it! The inside pools and both jacuzzi however could have done with the temperatures knocking up a few degrees. I braved the outside pools because the indoor one was just as cold but way smaller and without the nice views. Only one of the five advertised restaurants was open which was a shame but also totally understandable given how quiet it was. Perhaps advertise it in advance though that this is the case.

We would return during a cooler part of the year. Our fault, we didn’t recognize there is no A/C during which our room was hot to warm late in August. Staff accommodated our request for extra towels for our frequent showers to cool off. The buffet breakfast was very nice, as well as the menu & snack bar items by the pool during the day, as well as the ice provided at the bar on request. The small kitchen would have been more utilized during cooler weather. We visited the Pestana Ocean hotel ( with A/C) for an included dinner reservation & facilities appear more upscale, but decided we liked the coziness of the Pestana Garden better overall, but needed to book during cooler weather.

Lack of A/ C, refrigerator worked poorly & put out a lot of heat & adequate parking is lacking, despite a daily charge which doesn’t guarantee a parking spot.

The food was great particularly during the week with good salads, meat and deserts. Can’t complain. The restaurant staff were very nice. Not so many little kids so our 4 year olds were up to mischief- Carlos and his wife were lovely and entertaining and also some of the other staff always had a lovely smile. The location is brilliant and we had a super room with views to the pool and the sea and a large balcony which was amazing! Good swimming pools which the kids enjoyed. Great location for our first visit to Madeira. Taxis to the centre are usually a good price at around 7 euros one way.

The reception staff were a bit more hit and miss except for the young lady. Also the automatic service charge for drinks/ ice-cream etc. For return taxi better to book yourself. We paid 43euros with the one through the hotel on the return but had previously booked a taxi to the hotel for 26euros with Madeira airport transfers- great service! The hotel building, bathrooms etc are quite worn.

We really enjoyed our relaxing stay at Pestana Garden Village. The hotel gardens are beautiful and really well cared for and lovely to relax in. Our bedroom was fine, we had a good sized balcony and the bed very comfortable (good firm mattress!), and the bathroom a good size, the kitchenette was useful to make the odd cup of tea/coffee. The maid straightened the room every day and towels changed regularly. We were impressed at how friendly helpful the staff were. We were on a half board package and can recommend eating at the Miramar restaurants - the Pestana buffet food was very nice but if you want a quieter/slower paced restaurant experience try them out.

The buffet restaurant could be a bit noisy and busy so we always say outside where there were fewer tables and you couldn't hear the piped music. The rooms and the bathrooms could do with updating.

Loved the location. Came to Madeira to run and hike, so the hotel was conveniently situated to get local buses or walk into Funchal. The weather was so good we didnt use the facilities the hotel offered as we were out exploring. Initial problem with our room but the staff went out of their way to deal with it.

Great buffets but limited vegan options until we discussed our needs with the hotel and then we were spoilt! Offering plant based milk, yogurt and cheese really shouldn't be an issue.

Good location, beautiful gardens, lovely pool and much more. Good buffet breakfast with a very wide choice of breads, pastries, fruits, cold meats and cheese as well as cooked breakfast. The Miramar Restaurant was very good with a varied menu. Comfortable quiet room. Above all the staff were wonderful, very attentive, always helpful.

Although comfortable the room needs updating, the kitchen area in particular, and provision of device charging points. The room towels were old and not at all soft. We did not enjoy the buffet evening meal so much which was not of the highest quality, the breaded hake fillets in particular were awful.

food, gardens, facilities

meals might be hurried , smoke came into our room from people smoking on neighbouring balconies

Room was spacious and the bed was very comfortable. Daily housecleaning was excellent. The breakfast buffet had a wide range of offerings, meats, cheeses, eggs, fresh fruits, many rolls, pastries etc. The very large pool was on the colder side and did not seem to be heated but the pool area was beautiful and it was very comfortable to relax poolside. Dinners at the various restaurants were excellent!! Parking is available onsite for a fee.

I would definitely have the hotel look into an upgrade on the nightly entertainment. It was average at best. There are very good music venues within walking distance so that did not distract from our outstanding overall experience.

Great that dinner and breakfast are included. Dinner had some nice dishes. Room was large and clean. Gardens were well maintained and beautiful.

Unfortunate experience with the staff for breakfast. We had to leave for our flight at 7 AM when breakfast begins so they said that they would bring it up at 9 PM the night before. She asked for dietary restrictions and I told her no meat or dairy. Dinner was not brought up to the room until 9:30 PM and consisted of meat, cheese, bread and yogurt. It was as if they brought everything I couldn’t eat! When we attempted to get breakfast at 6:55 AM the next morning before the flight, the staff was incredibly rude, wouldn’t let us in even a minute early, even though our taxi was waiting. Not what you would expect from a high end hotel. Very disappointed.

Staff (reception and restaurant) were exceptional and helpful at all times. The room was excellent and cleaned daily. Pool and gardens well kept. Christmas Eve meal and Christmas buffet were very good.

Limited choice buffet for breakfest and evening meal when occupancy was low. This improved significantly when occupancy increased.