This hotel had great views of the ocean but no direct ocean access and was quite a ways from where all the activity in Salvador was happening. I would not choose it again. Front desk service was very slow. The room was nice, very clean and up to date. The pool was nice but hard to see the ocean when you're lying down with all the railing. The restaurant was pretty good. Elevators and hallways were very hot as not air conditioned. However, I did get a great haircut in the salon there.

I have been guested at the Pestana in early August 2009, just for a week-end (Friday to Sunday), at the Lodge (which is the newest part of the hotel, just on the top of the hill.
The Lodge has not "rooms" but real apartments, with an entrance, an American kitchen with a large living room, two bathrooms and a very confortable bedroom.
It is then possible to reach Pelourinho and the main beaches by taxi.
The hotel is like a resort, with a top-class swimming pool dedicated to the solely Lodge (the swimming pool for the hotel is not as good as the Lodge's one).
Thanks to a very gentle attendant it was even possible to personalize the drinks.
There is also a gym-club, which is well equipped and allows a good level of training.
The room service is a very high level one.
Reccomanded.

The older hotel is really embarassing, such a beautiful and well located hotel but no investment has been done. Nowadays the hotel is mostly used for events and congresses, very few rooms have been refurbished and no one can handle carpet in this heat! The Lodge on the other hand is another story. Recently opened it has a beautiful pool, view and the accommodations are very nice. The price is also very steep and the hotel is always pretty much full. A perfect location for those that steer away from the Historical City Centre Pelourinho.

Unfortunately, the hotel is in a terrible state of disrepair. The location is excellent for Salvador and that is the only reason I rate this hotel with One star. In January of 2010 I stayed in this hotel for 15 days and the hotel condition and service has worsened significantly since then. The reader can review my previous comments on this site. The rooms are badly in need of remodeling, the carpets need to be changed..The are stains on the walls in both the rooms and the hallway corridors. The towels were like sandpaper. Even though we only stayed two nights each night we had to call for towels as the maid service could not get anything right. The
front desk staff at the reception never smiled or welcomed anybody..They were all sour. Not at all recommended....The rooms were noisy from the point of view of hearing everything is the rooms next door.