Pensão Fernandes

The hosts were warm and hardworking, and I felt safe throughout my solo stay as a woman. This family-run pension in Porto Moniz gave me a heartfelt, authentic experience and memories I’ll keep. It’s a basic place run by an older couple who genuinely care about making guests comfortable. It’s their home, not a polished hotel, so bringing a few personal comforts can make things cozier. The rooms are simple but welcoming, with hot showers, extra blankets, and a wraparound balcony where you can take in the views. I especially loved looking toward the village of Santa up the hill and out over the sea. The gentle church bells also made the place feel connected to the village. I took several tours with Daniel’s Tours, which introduced me to hidden gems around Madeira. Along with the hosts’ local knowledge, that made my stay richer and more memorable. This pension won’t suit someone looking for luxury or the bustle of the main tourist areas, but it’s perfect if you’re open to a quiet, authentic experience. Thank you so much.

The price was SO high, and the place was disgusting. The shower barely worked and wouldn't drain, the toilet seat was broken, and there was a terrible smell. A boiler serving the whole floor was inside our room, making loud, strange noises whenever someone turned on a tap. There was nowhere to put things except an old, rusty school locker, and the door was really hard to lock. I don't even want to get into the balcony. The staff seemed so weird, and you had to enter through a local pub. We paid for three nights but left after one because we couldn't take any more. Probably the worst thing I've ever paid for. Please don't stay there.

The host was nice and showed me to our room, but it wasn't worth the €70+ we paid. At €20-25 a night, I could understand it. The Booking photos are a bit misleading, too. The room had a clean bed and was small, with no view. It was clean, but we chose not to stay after checking in because of the dampness and mould on the walls.

The owner wanted to write down our ID for no reason. There was also a fairly large parking lot next to the nearby church, whose bells start ringing early in the morning. The room itself was tiny, with the toilet one step from the bed. The “kitchen” offered very little chance to cook unless you brought your own bottles, or eat unless you had your own cutlery. It was clean and had a bed, which was the only positive I found.