Hotel Pestana Porto Santo: All Inclusive Review & Guide

Perched on the golden sands of Porto Santo Island, the Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive – Premium Beach & Spa Resort offers a 5‑star beachfront stay with sprawling gardens and a family‑friendly all‑inclusive package. This review examines how the resort’s dining, accommodation and overall value match up against its five‑star claim, drawing on official property details and thousands of guest reviews.

Last checked: 2026-09-10

Star Rating: 5‑star · Total Rooms: 275 · Distance to Beach: 1‑minute walk · Resort Gardens: 30,000 m²

Hotel Pestana Porto Santo all inclusive

The property operates a premium all‑inclusive programme. According to the official Pestana website, the package covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks at the main buffet and included drinks (both alcoholic and non‑alcoholic) throughout the day. The Expedia listing confirms that meals and beverages are included in the room rate, though some restrictions may apply (premium branded drinks or à la carte dining may carry extra charges).

Guests have access to three on‑site restaurants as part of the package: the main buffet restaurant, a themed à la carte option, and a snack bar by the pool. Multiple reviews on TripAdvisor praise the variety and quality of the buffet, while a minority note that the à la carte experience can feel similar to the buffet. The all‑inclusive offer is frequently rated as a strong point, but some reviewers argue that the food quality does not consistently match the five‑star price.

The bottom line – The all‑inclusive package is generous and well‑received by most families, but guests expecting a fine‑dining experience should temper expectations.

Hotel Pestana Porto Santo reviews

Aggregate ratings across platforms are consistently high. On TripAdvisor, the hotel holds a 4.4 out of 5 from more than 5,000 reviews, with guests frequently commending the beachfront location, the 30,000 m² gardens, and the friendliness of staff. On Expedia it scores 8.8 out of 10, and on Trip.com it averages around 8.9 out of 10.

Common praise centres on the spacious, clean rooms and the helpful, accommodating staff. One guest on Trip.com wrote: “Great hotel resort with All Inclusive meals and drinks. Excellent service and good quality amenities.” However, recurring criticisms include decor that is described as dated for a 5‑star property, occasional extra charges for sun loungers on the beach, and reports of ants in some rooms. The TripAdvisor editorial summary notes that “the hotel offers a relaxing and lively atmosphere, appealing to many travellers with its tropical environment and vibrant entertainment, though some caution about crowdedness and outdated decor.”

The pattern – Guests overwhelmingly rate the location and service highly, while value‑per‑dollar and room modernity are the main points of debate.

Hotel Pestana Porto Santo restaurant menu

The resort’s three on‑site restaurants cater to different moods. The main buffet, open for all three meals, offers a rotating selection of Portuguese and international dishes. The poolside snack bar serves lighter fare – salads, grilled items, and drinks – during the afternoon. A third restaurant, typically the à la carte option (often themed as Italian or Mediterranean), is available for dinner and usually requires a reservation.

Sample menu items from recent TripAdvisor photos and descriptions include grilled fish, fresh salads, pasta dishes, and a daily carving station. Desserts are described as varied, with a focus on regional pastries. The official site lists the restaurants but does not publish full menus online; guests are advised to check current offerings upon arrival. Some reviewers note that the à la carte menu is limited compared to the buffet and that the “premium” all‑inclusive label does not always extend to the à la carte restaurant without an extra fee.

The catch – The buffet is the strongest dining option; à la carte dining is pleasant but may not justify a separate upcharge if you are on a standard all‑inclusive rate.

Hotel Pestana Porto Santo Jet2

Jet2Holidays lists Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive as part of its package holiday programme. A typical Jet2 package includes return flights from several UK airports (e.g., Manchester, London, Birmingham), airport transfers, and accommodation on an all‑inclusive basis. The Jet2 website (as of July 2025) shows standard‑room rates starting around £180–£250 per person per night depending on the season, though prices fluctuate significantly.

Booking via Jet2 can simplify the trip, as Porto Santo Airport (PXO) is only a 10‑minute drive from the resort, and the transfers are included. Several recent TripAdvisor reviews mention that Jet2’s package was competitively priced compared to booking flights and hotel separately, and that the all‑inclusive nature of the resort made budgeting easy. However, some travellers note that Jet2’s description of the resort as “premium all‑inclusive” raised expectations that weren’t fully met – particularly regarding drink selection and room furnishings.

Why this matters – Jet2 packages offer a convenient, single‑purchase solution, but it’s worth reading the fine print on what the “all‑inclusive” label includes with Jet2 versus the hotel’s own definition.

Specifications

Pros & cons

Pricing band

Standard‑room rates typically fall between USD 234 and USD 581 per night, according to TripAdvisor and Momondo. This positions the resort at the higher end of Porto Santo’s accommodation market, reflecting its 5‑star all‑inclusive status. Prices vary significantly by season: summer and school‑holiday periods command the top of the range, while shoulder seasons (May‑June, September‑October) can be 30–40 % lower.

Location & getting there

The resort is located on Estrada Regional 120 in the Sítio do Campo de Baixo area of Porto Santo. It sits directly on the island’s 9‑km‑long sandy beach – the longest beach in the Madeira Archipelago – allowing guests to reach the sand in less than a minute. Porto Santo Airport (PXO) is roughly 10 km away, a 10‑ to 15‑minute taxi ride. Regular flights connect the island to Funchal (Madeira) and a few European cities, with flight times from Lisbon around 1 hour 40 minutes.

Alternatives

The closest direct competitor is the Pestana Dunas Porto Santo All Inclusive, another Pestana‑group property situated on the same road. The Dunas property is often described as more modern and slightly more affordable, with a stronger emphasis on families. According to the Pestana group, both hotels offer all‑inclusive packages, but Pestana Porto Santo has the larger spa and garden area, while Pestana Dunas is newer and has a more contemporary design. For couples seeking a quieter, adult‑focused stay, the Pestana Porto Santo may feel crowded in peak season; the Dunas property tends to be less busy but still family‑oriented.

Independent hotels on Porto Santo (e.g., Hotel Porto Santo & Spa or Quinta do Lorde) offer standard bed‑and‑breakfast options, which can be cheaper but lack the beachfront direct access and all‑inclusive convenience. For travellers set on a 5‑star all‑inclusive experience, there is no direct alternative on the island – Pestana Porto Santo is the sole property at that classification.

“Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive offers a relaxing and lively atmosphere, appealing to many travelers with its tropical environment and vibrant entertainment, though some caution about crowdedness and outdated decor.”

– Tripadvisor editorial summary, Platform-curated hotel overview

“For many travelers, Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive – Premium Beach & Spa Resort offers a fantastic beachfront location and a relaxing atmosphere, though some feel the value doesn’t align with its five-star rating.”

– Tripadvisor editorial summary, Platform-curated hotel overview

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FAQ

Sources cited

• Pestana Hotel Group – official property page
• TripAdvisor – Pestana Porto Santo All Inclusive
• Booking.com – Pestana Porto Santo
• Expedia – Pestana Porto Santo
• Fodor’s Travel – Pestana Porto Santo review
• Momondo – price aggregator
• Skyscanner Hotels – Pestana Porto Santo
• Pestana Hotel Group – Pestana Dunas Porto Santo
• Trip.com – Pestana Porto Santo