Trace Gifford
Rooms were fine , cleaning was a little haphazard. Some cleaners better than others. The tea/ coffee facilities weren't filled up daily which I thought was strange.
The food was really good. Plenty of choice and was always hot. Hubby was quite pleased with the choice of puddings and I was impressed with the salad bar.
Pools were clean, sunbeds always available but some folk choose to ignore that the lower pool was adults only as was the jacuzzi, luckily there weren't many kids but it might have upset a few folk otherwise. The cleanliness of the pool toilets needs to be done more often too. They got smelly and ran out of toilet roll by early afternoon.
The staff were really friendly.
We had a good holiday and the points that I have raised were minor and wouldn't put me off recommending the hotel.
Matt Firth
Had a week here as part of Jet2 package and we were really impressed. The rooms were comfy with everything we needed including aircon, safe, toiletries and pool towels changed every day if required.
Vibe of the whole hotel was really nice and never felt too busy with lots of options of where to go from tree shade cafe/snack area, to busier main pool with swim up bar or lower quieter pool area. Never a problem getting sun loungers or sunshades and normally served straight away for drinks which were all decent quality from local Coral lager to branded spirits (although some premium spirits/cocktails were only available to higher banded guests but not a problem for us).
Entertainment was also great if you wanted it, foam pool party (a lot better than it sounds!) and karaoke were particularly good fun.
Good location to easily get down to the promenade and beach down a lift - beach was mainly steep into the water and stony but still nice for a swim. You could walk all the way to Funchal (east) or the lovely harbour of Camara De Lobos (west) if you wanted to but also we used the free shuttle to Funchal which was a big coach so enough room for everyone.
The food and service was always excellent, quick service when entering the restaurant to provide drinks while the choice and quality of food at the buffet was really good and plentiful. We were a group of 6 but could always easily get a table together as required.
Snack options were good, we all particularly enjoyed making our own stacked burgers with all the trimmings.
We also made use of the pool table and crazy golf which were a bit tired but still good fun, too for us to try the tennis though!
Paul Grubb
We stayed at the Pestana Royal for seven nights on an all-inclusive basis during our first visit to Madeira and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
The hotel is located just outside Funchal, which turned out to be an excellent base for exploring both the city and the rest of the island. 🏝️ Although it's not in the centre, getting around was easy thanks to the regular Number 2 bus, the hotel's complimentary shuttle bus, taxis and Bolt.
🛏️ Our Deluxe Sea View Room was spacious, spotlessly clean and had a lovely balcony overlooking the pools and the Atlantic. The décor is more traditional than modern, but everything was well maintained and comfortable.
🍽️ One of the biggest highlights was the food. The buffet offered an excellent variety at every meal and the quality was among the best we've experienced at a four-star all-inclusive hotel. We also tried both à la carte restaurants. They were enjoyable, although we actually preferred the choice available in the buffet.
🍹 The drinks selection was also very good, with branded spirits, cocktails, local Coral beer and self-service soft drinks, tea, coffee and wine available throughout the day.
🏊 There are two outdoor pools, each with its own atmosphere. The upper pool is livelier and close to the Pool Bar, while the lower pool is quieter with lovely sea views. We also appreciated that the hotel genuinely enforced its 9am sunbed policy, so finding a lounger was never a problem.
🎭 Every evening there was entertainment, including singers, musicians and karaoke. Some acts were naturally stronger than others, but overall it created a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere after dinner. During the day, the animation team organised activities such as pool games, quizzes, pétanque and even regular foam parties, which were very popular.
💆 The hotel also has a good range of facilities away from the pools, including a spa, indoor swimming pool, gym, tennis and football courts, mini golf and a children's play area, so there's plenty to do whether you want to relax or keep active.
😊 Throughout our stay the staff were consistently friendly, welcoming and helpful. Reception made a great first impression by storing our luggage, giving us our all-inclusive wristbands immediately and then ringing us when our room was ready earlier than expected. The hotel was also exceptionally clean throughout our stay.
🚶 One feature we particularly liked was the lift down to the seafront. From there you can easily reach the promenade, Praia Formosa, several cafés and bars, and enjoy some lovely coastal walks. Outside the front of the hotel you'll also find supermarkets, restaurants and the Forum Madeira Shopping Centre within walking distance.
📍If you're looking to stay right in the heart of Funchal with everything on your doorstep, there may be better options. However, if you want a relaxing all-inclusive hotel with excellent food, plenty of facilities, friendly staff and easy transport links for exploring Madeira, we would have no hesitation recommending the Pestana Royal.
🎥 We've also produced a detailed video review covering the hotel, rooms, food, bars, entertainment, facilities and the surrounding area. As Google no longer allows YouTube links in reviews, simply search "Pestana Royal Cledwyn on Tour" on YouTube to find our full review.
Ricardo Durão
e stayed at Pestana Royal for one week during our family vacation, and the experience was truly wonderful. We had a Superior Deluxe Room with both sea and pool views, which was spacious and comfortable enough for our family of three.
The food was good, and the service was excellent throughout our stay. The entire team was very customer-oriented, from housekeeping and the restaurants and bars to the front desk, baggage service, and public relations.
A special thank you to Natércia, Miguel, Rodrigo and specially to Diana from the Animation Team and Karina (PR) for going above and beyond and making our stay truly unforgettable. Your kindness, professionalism, and attention to detail made a real difference.
We had a fantastic family vacation and would be happy to return. Highly recommended!
Elaine Hunt
The staff are the magical ingredient at this hotel. Everyone we met was friendly, helpful & professional. From the reception staff happy to advise on trips or anything required during our stay, the staff in the restaurants who work tirelessly to make mealtimes an enjoyable experience. The cleaning staff who attentively cared for our room, the bar staff always serving with a smile. The animation team providing a wide range of activities with such enthusiasm. Senior members supporting younger team members to provide a professional & happy experience for guests. We have thoroughly enjoyed our holiday & would not hesitate to recommend the Pestana Royal.
