Pestana Palm Gardens, Carvoeiro

Advantages: Good rooms, helpful staff, free bus into town
Disadvantages: Its a bus ride from town.

...We booked a last minute holiday in Madeira in september 2007 and on the advice of our agent decided to go for the Pestana Grand hotel. The hotel was rated as a 5 star by our agent although this site rightly has it as a four-star. We booked on a bed & breakfast basis and with flights and transfers It cost us about £650 each for the week . On arrival the reception staff were very helpful and spoke excellent English. We had been booked into a mountain view room and asked if we could upgrade to a sea view. This was no problem for, I think, an extra £20 per night. This was well worth it as we noticed that the mountain view rooms all overlooked the car park. The view was excellent from our room and we could see people fishing from small boats, the hotel gardens and pools and people walking along the promenade which takes you from the hotel... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great food, clean and friendly.
Disadvantages: No beach, lost sister Hotel Grand Oasis, the 5.30am sunbed securing

...Just returned from this hotel, very nice clean friendly hotel with a fantastic restaurant, but my only gripe is that the hotel is no longer part of the 'Tropicana' group and as such the deal is off as far as using the 'Tropicana Grand Oasis' facilities and beach! It's now owned by 'Amarante' This makes a huge crimp in your stay firstly as a beach user or snorkeller as Garden Palms has no beach and the bus service run by the hotel now takes you to a local public beach about 20 mins away, as you can imagine the beach is crammed full, so it is difficult to get shade when you need it and it's not particularly clean, second problem that arises from the 'no beach' situation is that if you want to sit around the pool a bed needs to be secured with your towel by 6am, this is made a problem by not enough beds for everyone and no-where else to... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: friendly efficient staff, good location
Disadvantages: poorly promoted restaurant

...In September we had a great holiday in North Portugal and I wanted to tell you about my favourite hotel. We booked into the Pestana Porto for 4 nights and it was a very enjoyable stay. My Aunt had recommended Oporto so after a search on Tripadvisor for hotels there, we booked a room with a river view. Location The Pestana Porto is ideally situated for tourists. It looks out onto the river Douro and the riverside cafes. Nearby are old, narrow quaint streets with bars and restaurants. River cruises regularly set off from just below our bedroom window. A walk across the bridge to Vila Nova de Gaia takes you straight into the old part of the town and you can easily walk to many of the famous port houses. The fabulous Palacio da Bolsa is located a short walk away. We walked into town although this is not recommended for all. Parts... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful