Pestana Vila Sol Golf and Resort Hotel

This hotel most definitely should not be a 5 star, I would give it 2 max. Room - the room had only a double bed so we were forced to share, very unhappy about this. I told the guy who brought us there and also rang reception. Both said they would fix it and reception said they would call me back re a new room. This never happened. There were loads of ants in the bathroom all the time, which I couldn't believe. On the first night, I saw a giant cockroach running on the floor right beside the bed, ugh...eventually a guy came and got rid of it but in the worst possible way. We couldn't really relax in the room after this and were on red alert the whole time, even sleeping with a light on. I noticed that when housekeeping were cleaning rooms, the doors were left wide open, probably not the best idea. Also they all carried bug spray, which I guess says it all. I have stayed all over the world in varying climates but I never experienced similar in my room, ever. Food - Extremely limited, even more so if you are vegetarian. The menu is very limited and it's the same everywhere you go in the hotel, so if eating there regularly(which you may have to as it is a fair walking distance to anywhere else), you would end up eating the same thing over and over. Very little choice of fresh veg, in fact I don't remember any. Chips with everything and very little else. Breakfast was not great, hence we only went once. Not a great choice of fruit, only 2 or 3 items to choose from. The food you could help yourself to was ice cold, e.g. the waffles and pancakes. Other stuff like mushrooms or eggs were lukewarm at best. The bar was nice with lovely staff. However there is zero flexibility, I couldn't even get a glass of wine one evening and it was only just after 12...the guy at reception told me the bar shuts at 12 so I asked about room service, he said no, not after 12 and that was that. Staff - I liked the staff on the whole, they were friendly, helpful and kind. The exception would be the reception staff, not helpful, warm or kind. as the first point of contact at the hotel, these are perhaps the most important people to have be friendly and nice. On checkout, I was asked how was my stay and I was less than enthusiastic but the woman on reception didn't react or pursue the why, no interest. Shop - yes there is a shop in the hotel sure enough but A) it's never open and B) it's a clothes and beachwear shop! Nowhere to buy supplies or even water except the poolside bar and you can expect to be ripped off. I paid over €12 for 2 bottles of water, 2 bottles! Not impressed and I would certainly not stay here again.

Didn’t stay in the hotel but stayed nearby and popped in to the pool bar numerous times for drinks. The menu and drinks selection is great and the atmosphere was nice and chilled. The staff were pleasant but sometimes service was a bit slow. The only thing that lets it down is the price for everything it was very high.

Great hotel amd service! Will come back !!