Estalagem Da Ponta Do Sol

Ponta do Sol is such a charming village, peaceful and picturesque, almost like a little toy town. The hotel fits beautifully into the landscape, with elegant, minimal design and a mid-century modern feel that's unexpected on the island. The views are among the most stunning I've seen, and everyone working here was warm and welcoming. The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and lovely views too. I can imagine the hotel being especially wonderful in summer or other warmer months, when you can enjoy the spaces more. We loved our stay, and it exceeded what we expected. Highly recommended.

We came just to enjoy the view and have a cocktail. The view was amazing, but service was awful. We waited about 15 minutes before anyone came to the bar, then were told to sit and that someone would take our order. A woman came over, and when we asked for an “expresso martini” and a “caipirinha,” she just said “ok”. No smile or “good afternoon”, just “se faz favor?” and then “ok”. The caipirinha tasted only of cachaça, was far too strong, and came without crushed ice, just three huge pieces of lime and three big ice cubes. The expresso martini wasn't one at all, just coffee liqueur and vodka, not even shaken. No foam or garnish, and it tasted awful. We paid 19€ for the order. NOT WORTH IT. The bartender and customer service were horrible.

The hotel offers good value at a fair price, and the restaurant is a great option on nights you don't feel like going out. We loved the unusual layout of the buildings, which makes it feel like more than a standard hotel complex, and the views are breathtaking, almost hard to believe day after day. The staff and service were great too. The gym and spa could use a bit of improvement, but we still thought it was a very nice choice.

The restaurant food was excellent, and the office and service staff were helpful and attentive without ever intruding. The infinity pool overlooks the sea, the gardens are immaculate, and there are intriguing artworks and thoughtful little touches throughout. The buildings are gracefully and minimally designed around the clifftop setting, with lifts connecting you to the town and beach. It's a fascinating place to stay. Our double sea-view room with balcony felt a little Spartan, and its view of the sea was oblique, so that kept it from being a five across the board. I'd certainly visit again.