My husband and I stayed at the Pestana Grand beginning of September 2007. We booked the Pestana after reading the trip advisor reviews and have to agree with most reviews but like all these reviews personal taste and preference is an individual thing and not everyone likes or dislikes the same things. So here was our take on the holiday.

The hotel is part of a large Pestana chain and the group seems to have hotels decorated in all manner of styles. The Pestana Grand is a new hotel and was to our finding whilst being very clean and stylish, a little sterile for my liking. The rooms were very large and everything worked, although they could have done with chopping a couple of feet off the room at either end and adding it to the balcony and bathroom. The bathroom being rather cramped.

Didn't like the sunbed set up round the pool as it was a case of sardines all in a row round the pool with no areas in the gardens that you could take your bed to for some privacy so you were literally lying 3 inches away from the next bed. I'm also quite a keen swimmer so I wasn't too keen on the saltwater pool or its sloping ends (2 strokes and you hit the bottom).

The spa area was very nice although the staff didn't seem to have a problem with children using the spa pool and jacuzzi which was a bit annoying.

We stayed bed and breakfast at the hotel and the breakfasts were very good, everything you could want for. We did not have a meal in the evening due to the very high prices that were being charged and I felt it a shame that the hotel was losing out here as the menus and restaurants looked really nice but were empty, so lower prices and I'm sure more people would eat in.

The best restaurant near the hotel and in fact I think one of the best in Funchal is the Real Canoa - excellent prices and food and really nice staff and owner Bruno who will tempt you in and persuade you to try all sorts of things. Couple of nice fish restaurants right of the hotel by the sea, local fish restaurant down the steps and the Barquerio almost next to the hotel which are very good. Do have sandwiches and a scone at the Magic Tea House next door, they do the best sandwiches I have ever had and fantastic tea, give them the setting and linen tablecloths and the food knocks spots off tea at Reids.

Caught the hotel bus into town a few times although we could have done with an earlier bus as the first one leaves at 9.40 and you don't get to Funchal till 10am, a bit late if you were wanting to go on an excursion or walk etc. We walked back most nights from the old town which was a hike - be prepared this hotel is not really walkable both ways into the old town but local bus service is really good from the centre of Funchal, about 4 or 5 buses go along the front and stop at the shopping Forum which is one street away from the Hotel.

They will try to persuade you to go and look at the Pestana Promenade as a time share purchase. If you want a free casino ticket or 75 euros off your hotel bill, wait until you get the invite to Thursday evening cocktails to take up the offer and not at the beginning of the holiday as the freebie is better.

To sum up the hotel is very clean, stylish, lots of glass and marble and very modern but for me lacked soul and felt a little sterile, a little like a 1 night stay in very large hotel.

Will definately be back to Madeira as we love the Island and it is our 2nd visit but would probably not stay at the Pestana Grand again.

Have just returned from a week at the Grand Pestana Hotel and i would highly recommend this hotel. It is almost impossible for me to find anything to complain about this hotel, but I would say it's lacking that little something to make it a 5star, would def say it's a 4star plus though.

Hotel position - A large hotel on the edge of Funchal. A great location, as you are nice and close to Funchal centre (about 5 euros in a taxi) but it's in a nice a quiet area. There is a large shopping centre just at the top of the road with a big supermarket

Rooms - We had a double room and the room is massive - the biggest we've had abroad. Tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge, bottle opener (no corkscrew), TV, Sofa, Good size balcony (no washing line) with very comfy beds.

Faclities of hotel - 2 Gorgeous outdoor swimming pools and very well designed. Good spa facilities with sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and indoor pool - which goes outside too. Very well maintained public areas.

Breakfast - Excellent buffet breakfast. Loads of different breads, cakes, cereals, meats, cheeses, fruit and a large selection of cooked items, inc eggs cooked to order, omelettes and pancakes

Restaurants/Bars - Relaxing bar with the singers/mellow entertainment in evenings. Drinks are more expensive than outside the hotel, but this is to be expected of a hotel.

Where to eat - We went bed and breakfast, so we ate in a number of different restaurants - but our favourite was Real Canoa restaurant just opposite the hotel restaurant - highly recommended. Other places to try, if you come out of the hotel and turn left - there are 2 restaurants just around the corner - one Italian and one fish restaurant - both i would highly recommend.

We did eat in the hotel one night, the BBQ night and the food was very good - but a lot more expensive than eating out.

In the town i would recommend "Marina Terrace Restaurant" along the harbour front - the owners are great people and the fish in there was amazing - they also didn't hassle people to go in, which is also a bonus!

There is a bus into town, but the week we went there was quiet a few clouds and therefore the bus was packed each day - and taxi's a quiet cheap so I'd recommend them.

Funchal is very nice resort, but there isn't much going on there in the evenings - which suited us - but if you are looking for evening entertainment, then you won't find much there.

Don't miss the Catamaran trip - either book it from the rep or just go down the the harbour and book. Highly recommended.