Pestana Miramar Garden & Ocean Resort

Nice location, close to porto and walking distance from old town. Direct view to sunrise. Garden with large variety of flowers, plants and birds. Nice swimming pool, but with cold water in February. Small garage with limited nr. of parking places, but i found free slots every day, probably due to daily fee and more tourists using agencies with buses, less with rental cars. Room temperature was bit cold.

It's ok food poor very dated but we new that a bit dark and gloomy in places

We had a very enjoyable and relaxing holiday although there were some issues and a few things were not as we had been led to believe. For instance, only two of the hotel’s restaurants were open, and booking in them was difficult. However, all the staff at the hotel were extremely friendly and helpful: I would particularly like to mention Fabio (reception), Nellio (head waiter) and Rahman and Ivan (barman and waiter in the Winter Garden), who all made our trip easier and enjoyable. On the whole, a good experience.

Poor service off hand the restaurant looks lovely and inviting. We had mexilhoes à la cream four. 13 e. Carpaccio de Novilho 13 both poor Bochechas de Porto poor espeto tam rail e Gambia’s poor. The food lets the restaurant down and the staff.

One of the first impressions is of a hotel with more of a relaxed impression. There are other Pestana hotels (the Grand for example) that are ultra modern and have created a very UN-relaxing high-tech modern approach although fine if that's what you are looking for. We stayed in room on the second floor with a fair view of the ocean. The room was tidy if not a little tired but I hear the hotel is due a huge re-fit. The bathroom absolutely stank of disinfectant that took a couple of days to ventilate but it did eventually clear. The restaurant in the Pestana Village if outstanding! One of the waiters Nelio Fernandes was absolutely charming along with the other waiters. The restaurant provides and intimate relaxed space were you feel special. By contrast the food at the Cabo Girão restaurant in the Pestana Grand was consistently poor and a cramped space. The other smaller restaurant (can't remember its name, sorry) had 2 choices on the menu and neither were very good. When you compare the food at many smaller restaurants tucked away in the small villages around Madeira they really should do better.

We stayed at the Pestana Miramar half board for two weeks at the end of January and the beginning of February 2026. The hotel is in a lovely old building with plenty of trees and greenery around it and we found the location to be perfect for us (close enough to Funchal to walk in but not too close to be noisy). The staff that we dealt with were all very helpful and friendly and the available facilities were good. The meals were in buffet form and there did seem to be a bit of repetition with regards to the vegetables and salads (although we recognise that it’s not easy to cater for such large numbers of people). We did find the room to be rather tired, with cupboard doors loose and mould in the bathroom, although when we raised the mould with housekeeping they did clean it straight away). We have heard that the hotel is due to be refurbished imminently so expect the rooms to be much better afterwards. We did enjoy our holiday and wouldn’t hesitate to stay again (after the refurb)

First, the few downsides: the furniture in the room is perfectly serviceable, but I can see why some reviewers think it's past its best (just don't expect quite the standard - and a bit soulless - furnishings); and I did need to speak to reception about a minor fault in the bathroom, which was sorted out within a few hours. I also mentioned that the fan in the bathroom didn't seem to work, and that wasn't sorted out, though I can see it may well have been a bigger job. On the other hand, it's a really very friendly hotel; special mention must go to Claudia and the team in the Miramar restaurant, and Hasan in the cocktail bar, who really made me feel welcome and at home. Other staff were helpful but never obtrusive - just there when you wanted them. On half board there was the option to eat at the three restaurants at the Pestana Grand - 25 minutes walk or a five minute €2 bus ride away - which all provided good food and service as well. I didn't even try the buffet evening meal as the restaurants were welcoming; the booking system in reception for the restaurants did seem a little restrictive though. The pools and other facilities were clean and in good order. It's again a 25 minute walk or €2 bus ride to the centre of Funchal. Walking straight down the road takes you to the cathedral area; if you follow what initially seems to be a side road on the right just after crossing the bridge a steady hill down takes you to the harbour area instead. Visits to the palace gardens at Monte, a walk on a Levada, a whale/dolphin boat trip, and time spent just wandering round Funchal were all enjoyable.

Lots to love about Pestana Miramar, and why I return again and again. The location is perfect for walking into the centre, but it’s the wonderful peace and welcoming atmosphere that makes it a little bit of island paradise. This year in particular I have enjoyed the range of fitness and activities on offer. It is so much fun to enjoy the energy of Aquagym, the morning Pilates and Yoga in the gardens under the palm trees to set you up for a perfect day. It is like a spa break too. I have felt welcome to enjoy all the program on offer. Abdel and the salsa dancing has been a particular joy to experience. 5 stars!!

My stay at this hotel was very positive. The facilities are well maintained, everything was clean and organised, and the overall atmosphere is pleasant for anyone looking for a calm and comfortable stay. What truly stood out was the service. Nestor and Francisco were exceptional, always attentive, helpful and genuinely friendly. They made a real difference and contributed greatly to making the stay even better. It’s a hotel that’s worth it for both comfort and service quality!!

We visited the Miramar Restaurant in November after viewing their menu displayed in the street. On arrival we were blatantly ignored for a couple of minutes before the maitre'd requested our room number. We explained that we were non-residents and were (bizarrely) asked where we were staying. Then, despite the restaurant being almost empty, we were shown to a table all by itself around a corner. To say the table was disappointing was an understatement, it was frankly insulting. We had smart casual attire and were very polite so can only attribute this treatment to a policy of humiliating snobbery. The food was very good, and the service was mostly good. The bill also included an item we had not ordered and had to be be disputed. In conclusion, great food, dreadful hospitality.