Pestana Casino Park Ocean & Spa

I highly recommend this excellent hotel for its super location with great views over beautiful landscaped gardens to the Harbour in Funchal. The front desk staff are very professional, helpful and understanding. Very enjoyable place to stay.

I wrote this review on return from our stay in November and just realised I never posted it. This was to be our 7th holiday to Funchal, having previously stayed at Porto Santa Maria a 4* hotel and used the facilities of it's sister hotel Cliff Bay 5* many times, and would put Pestana Casino at a 3* at best. It would appear not to have had anything done to it since in was first built in the 1970's. We found the hotel to be very dated, uncomfortable and staff unfriendly in all areas. Our room was very dark, uncomfortable bed so I slept on the pillows, very uncomfortable patio chairs, limited sockets, and we could hear our neighbours talking through them! the pedal bin in the bathroom had the pedal broken off and I cut my toe on it the 1st day, so I took the plastic liner out to use just that, the maid put it back in the bin daily! Shame she did not mention it to the maintenance department and get it replaced. I had requested a kettle prior to arrival and was told it was 5 euros, I took my own T bags etc. no kettle in room but when I requested one it was provided, free as I had my own supplies. We made good use of the fridge to chill our wine. I requested a room facing Funchal, this was a mistake as we had no sun what so ever, should have requested a room on the other side. Breakfast at Santa Maria is always the highlight of our stay due to the staff, amazing food and fabulous setting. The restaurant at PC is HUGE but all the glass makes it very uncomfortable, it gets far to hot in there and sunglasses are a must if you are not to be blinded. On day 3 we opted to eat outside which was better, but then we were surrounded by smokers. Food was plentiful but of a lower standard than Santa Maria and the food area got far too crowded. Staff were the most miserable I have ever encountered, not so much as a Good Morning. We were blessed with the best weather we have ever had in Funchal for the entire week, with wall to wall hot sunshine for the duration. We do not usually spend much time sitting around as there is so much to see and do but decided on some relaxation, and I did manage to nap for an hour a day on one of the cabanas which were more comfortable than our bed!. The pool bar has an absolutely stunning view and the infinity pool looks hugely inviting but the noise from the construction work that was taking place by the fish quay was horrendous and totally spoilt the experience as did the awful fumes from the cruise ships. Additionally the music from the Casino went on until around 3-4am every day with the revellers shouting, screaming and honking their hooters at closing time. We got an excellent rate for our stay and fantastic weather which was the saving grace of the holiday, but if the weather had not been so great the lack of comfort and noise would have had a big impact for us. It made us realise that the old town is certainly the best place to stay in Funchal.

How often do you get to stay in a building designed by Oscar Niemeyer? Magnificent dining room with a wall of glass overlooking the sea and cruise ships. The room was good with a good view, but I would prefer a double bed that wasn't two singles pushed together, and I don't like shower curtains at all. But those things didn't detract. The service was excellent from front desk to restaurant staff and cleaners. All were polite and helpful. We both enjoyed the food very much. Because it was a buffet there was always a huge choice. We especially liked having several fish options every day. We are planning to return next year for the Flower Festival - it was that good.