Heaven on Earth, Perfect Holiday

We stayed at the Pestana Bay in June if this year, it was perfect, the location is lovely, the rooms are so clean and the food is wonderful. My parents are now on their 15th stay at this hotel so they must be doing something right. The only complaint I would have is about Funchal Airport, it is not large enough to cope with the main change over day of Monday and was overcrowded, hot and lacked many facilities. If you can avoid flying on a Monday I would. I will definitly be returning to the Pestana Bay, my husband wants to go back already and we have only been back in the UK for two days. We have stayed in many places around the world, including 5 star resorts in the Maldives, 7 Star resorts in Dubai and I can honestly say that Pestana Bay puts these to shame, due to the helpfullness of the staff and the cleanliness of the hotel. Resturants to check out are The Moby Dick (wonderful steak, fish etc and they operate a pick up service from your hotel), Ian's Place, wonderful restuarant near the Villa Ramos, and also a Fish Resturant, I am not sure of the name, but from Pestana Bay go through the Tunnel towards the Lido climb up all the steps, cross the Road and the Restuarant is there. (Don't have a starter here, main courses are massive !!) We found a brilliant Taxi driver who spoke perfect English and was always on time if we wanted picking up etc, his name was Daniel and he could be contacted on (-)(get the Hotel to call him for you), mention Steve and Claire and I am sure he will remember us. All in all a brilliant holiday that I would certainly recomend.

Faultless in every respect!

We stayed at the Pestana Bay after reading reviews on tripadvisor. One week, B&B from 11 to 18 April, didn't book half board so as to maintain freedom of choice, in fact ate in the hotel 4 from 7 nights. Buffet breakfast & dinners, huge choice and all food freshly cooked to perfection. Only slight disappoinment was that recent storms have destroyed the walkway & tunnel along the coast towards Funchal, restricting the walk but looks like repairs under way. Hotel courtesy bus, taxis & hire car all readily available. Superb service in every way, big room, with kitchenette facility, good balcony overlooking pool & sea, clean, bright, well equipped & fully serviced. Hotel food, facilities, staff all above any criticism. Best location (for us, age 56) 3 kms from town centre, absolutley NO traffic noise (unlikely to be the case for many hotels in Funchal?), only the sound of waves on the (very stony) beach. Every room with sea view. Believe that all rooms occupied but hotel was never overcrowded, always space available in dining & bar areas & staff levels such that we never waited for attentive (but never intrusive) service.

Hard to think that anything could be better, we'll be looking to stay at Pestana group hotels when next we go travelling. Only hesitated in giving it such a good write up as it's the kind of place we want to be able to get back to without fear of it being overbooked (spoke to other visitors on their 6th return trip there!)

Excellent hotel

we stayed here sept .2004 and loved it so much we are going back this sept.The hotel was one of the cleanest we have stayed in with a daily maid service. The resturant staff were very friendly and helpful and all spoke english so we didn't have to stumble with our portugese. The terrace overlooked the beach which is great for Shirley Valentine fans. The pool was tested daily by the attendant which was nice to see. The best bit of all was the fact that you woke up to the sound of the sea. The beach was also very clean. The hotel being 4kms from Funchal wasn't a problem as there was a courtesy bus several times a day. We would recommend this hotel anytime.

A wonderful hotel

My wife and I have just returned from spending Christmas at the Pestana Bay Hotel. Although it is 4 miles from the centre of Funchal there is a regular free courtesy coach and local buses are just a few minutes walk away. The staff are extremely friendly, helpful and attentive. The bedrooms are large and benefit from a small kitchen area with all the necessary pans and utensils to prepare light meals. There's even a supply of tea and coffee for the first night.

There are plenty of places to eat within walking distance, but if you choose to eat in the meals are excellent and good value. The great advantage of this hotel is its location literally on the beach! There's no traffic noise like in many of the central hotels - just the waves lapping on the shore to lull you off to sleep. The hotel is spotlessly clean and having been refurbished about three years ago is decorated with very colourful tiles and paintings. We're already suffering withdrawal symptoms and can't wait to go again!

Fantastic Hotel by the Ocean, wonderful view, wonderful food

We have just returned from Madeira having spent a wonderful week at the Pestana Bay Hotel - our third visit. The hotel is fantastic in a beautiful location and it is wonderful to wake up and hear the ocean waves so close. The staff as always were friendly and efficient - nothing too much trouble for any of them, and the food was also wonderful. We spent a wonderful day out 'at sea' with Bonita Dream Cruises - well worth the money for a lovely trip and food/wine included. An evening at the Casino with Carabet Show was also excellent. We will be back!

What a view...

I stayed at the Pestana Bay for 1 week, with my partner, and what an amazing week. We arrived after dark, and awoke to the most amazing view, over the Atlantic.

The staff - especially the waiting staff - were fantastic.

Food OK - breakfast buffet was lovely, but I had only one evening meal there, and it wasn't the nicest I had while in Madeira.

Should also add that the restaurant area also looks onto the Atlantic.

Step outside of the hotel gate and you're on an immaculately clean pebble beach, with the clearest blue water. Bliss.

Hotel was not as close to Funchal as I expected, but that turned out to be a good thing. Many nice areas en-route to funchal, so much so that we didn't bother going to Funchal on a couple of occasions. However, if you do fancy a trip to town, the hotel lays on a courtesy bus.

As you will guess, I'd recommend this place.

Cosy Hotel

I really loved this Hotel. It is quiet and it has very observant and friendly staff. Every room has sea view. The cook is great, and on special occasions like christmas the try to make you feel at home.

AOK Atlantic Bay

Pestana Atlantic Bay Hotel is comfortable,clean and friendly.It lies on the outskirts of Funchal n the sea front and it is possible to walk along the promenade to or from Funchal if you are an energetic walker but most guests use the free hotel courtesy bus or the local buses.Also taxis are cheap and metered. There are good restaurants within an easy distance, also a supermarket. The hotel rooms each have a small kitchenette facility with refridgerator,kettle,hob and basic cooking equipment so that it is easy to make hot drinks or snack meals. Food at the hotel is of good quality and the service is efficient and friendly.

We were happy that we had had good value for our money and had a relaxing week. Organised excursions from the hotel were good value for money and saved having to hire a car and self drive on the winding precipitous mountain roads.

Lovely place with great view!

Atlantic Gardens is a charming aparthotel with friendly staff and big apartments. It is kept nice and clean with everyday cleaning. The best part is the incredible view over the Atlantic ocean! What a lovely way to wake up in the mornings to the sound of the waves! I will return!

I loved

I simply loved the hotel and the location is very quiet,the service is incredible and the prices aren´t very expensive.