Pestana Porto Santo Beach Resort & Spa

We were there for 16 days and still didn’t feel ready to leave. There was plenty to keep us busy, from the pools, tennis, paddle, petanque, and billiards to the daily Kids Club activities. The children came back with a new craft each day, looked forward to the mini disco, and loved Pestaninha. The entertainment team’s Saturday show was breathtaking, with amazing costumes, and better than many shows in Portugal we’ve paid to see. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained, with indoor and outdoor pools. Even when the weather wasn’t great, we had things to do. Food was wonderful, with a varied menu over 14 days and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Everything felt thought through for guests, and the service was excellent. We’d happily return and recommend it to friends.

The employees made a great impression, especially Manuel Monteiro at the bar. He served us quickly and professionally every day, always with a smile. Everyone was helpful and friendly, and the place was constantly being cleaned and maintained. The building is older than it appears, but the upkeep is so good that you hardly notice. We also liked the rooms and the surroundings. I’d recommend this hotel 10/10.

There’s plenty to enjoy nearby, with a great gym, indoor and outdoor pools, a warm pool for babies, and themed restaurants you can book for dinner. The location also works well for walks in nature, and cafés and restaurants are within walking distance. We spent a week here all inclusive and had a wonderful time. The hotel was clean, the staff were kind and attentive, and the food was fantastic, well seasoned and varied. Although there were lots of guests, we never ran into lines or waits when we needed service or help. I highly recommend Pestana Porto Santo for a relaxing holiday.

The food was the biggest letdown. The buffet might look appealing on paper, but the quality we were served was really low. The restaurants also had no dress code. With many families and children staying here, meals were very noisy, even though the outdoor areas were fine. We visited in the second half of October, when the resort was at about 1/4 capacity, and the great majority of guests had babies or children. The resort itself is beautiful, with a lovely garden setting and direct access to a spacious golden sand beach with a lifeguard. There are plenty of facilities, and sunbeds are spread around the pools and dune area. Our room was spacious and clean, with a nice terrace, but it smelled of dirty mop water throughout our stay. We also saw small ants in the bathroom and living area every day. Guests draping towels and swimsuits over the terrace railing didn’t feel very 5-star, though there wasn’t a small fold-out drying rack on the outside wall for them to use. Reception, the SPA, the animation team, and the beach bar lady were very friendly. Apart from the lead man in the main restaurant, who was responsible for the area on and around the terrace, and Khalid, who was a top guy, most of the other staff felt distant. They hardly reacted or looked up when we said hello or thank you. A beautiful place, but in our opinion, don’t expect the wonderful, relaxing gastronomic experience a 5-star resort should provide.