Pestana Group: Portugal’s largest hotel collection across Europe, Africa & the Americas
90+ hotels · 12,000+ rooms · 15 countries · Est. 1972
Overview
Pestana Group is the largest Portuguese hotel group in the world, founded in Madeira in 1972 by brothers José and Manuel Pestana. What started as a single Madeira property (the original Pestana Carlton Madeira, initially operated under a Sheraton franchise) has grown into a collection of more than 90 hotels and over 12,000 rooms across 15 countries in Europe, Africa, and South America.
The group operates under several distinct brands, ranging from five-star ocean resorts and city-center lifestyle hotels to all-inclusive properties and vacation club residences. Beyond hotels, Pestana also owns euroAtlantic airways and has an expanding real estate and tourism division.
Brands & Hotel Tiers
Pestana has organized its portfolio into clear brand tiers, making it easy for travelers to pick the right property:
- Pestana Premium Ocean Resorts: Five-star cliffside and beach resorts, mostly in Madeira and the Algarve, featuring sea views, spas, and fine dining. Flagships include Pestana Carlton Madeira and Pestana Grand Premium Ocean Resort.
- Pestana Collection: Boutique and historic city hotels in Portugal, Brazil, and South Africa, often set in renovated heritage buildings.
- Pestana CR7: A lifestyle hotel brand developed in partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo, starting with Pestana CR7 Funchal on Madeira and expanding to city-center locations like Lisbon and Madrid.
- Pestana All-Inclusive: Family-oriented beach resorts, primarily in Madeira and the Algarve, offering all-inclusive meal and drink plans.
- Pestana Vacation Club: Timeshare and fractional ownership residences integrated with resort properties.
Where Pestana Operates
Pestana’s footprint spans three continents. Portugal remains the heartland, with the densest concentration of properties in Madeira, followed by the Algarve, Lisbon, Porto, and the Azores. Outside Portugal, key markets include:
- Europe: Brussels (Pestana Brussels Schuman, near the EU district), Berlin, and other city locations.
- Africa: Cape Verde, Mozambique, South Africa, and São Tomé & Príncipe.
- South America: Brazil and Argentina.
- North America: Pestana South Beach Miami (reviewed separately).
The group continues to expand, with the new Pestana Dunas resort on Porto Santo scheduled to open in Q2 2026.
What Guests Can Expect
Across the portfolio, Pestana hotels share consistent service standards, Portuguese-influenced hospitality, and a focus on location. Madeira properties in particular are known for cliffside settings, heated saltwater pools, and panoramic Atlantic views. City hotels tend to be modern, business-friendly, and located in central districts.
Many Pestana resorts include on-site spas, multiple restaurants, fitness centers, and children’s clubs. The brand is particularly popular with European travelers visiting Madeira for year-round warm weather, hiking, and coastal scenery.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Genuine Portuguese hospitality with consistent service standards.
- Exceptional Madeira cliffside resorts with panoramic ocean views.
- Multiple brand tiers to choose from — luxury, boutique, all-inclusive, lifestyle.
- Pestana CR7 partnership brings modern lifestyle design to city hotels.
- Good value compared to other European five-star resort groups.
- Wide geographic spread across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Things to Be Aware Of
- Portfolio is heavily concentrated in Madeira, not all destinations are global.
- Some older properties are mid-century and show age in rooms.
- All-inclusive plans vary in quality by property.
Who Should Book with Pestana?
- Madeira and Algarve travelers looking for cliffside or beach resorts.
- European city breakers who want reliable, modern hotels in Lisbon, Berlin, or Brussels.
- Families seeking all-inclusive beach holidays with kids’ clubs.
- CR7 fans curious about the branded lifestyle hotels in Funchal, Lisbon, and Madrid.
Explore 90+ Pestana hotels worldwide
Best rates on Madeira resorts, city hotels & all-inclusive properties
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hotels does Pestana Group operate?
Pestana operates more than 90 hotels across 15 countries, with over 12,000 rooms worldwide. The largest concentration is in Portugal, especially Madeira.
What is Pestana CR7?
Pestana CR7 is a lifestyle hotel brand created in partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo. The first property opened in Funchal, Madeira, and has since expanded to city-center locations.
Are Pestana hotels good value?
Yes. Compared to other European five-star resort groups, Pestana’s Madeira and Algarve properties offer strong value, especially for off-season travel.
Can I book Pestana properties outside Portugal?
Yes. Pestana operates in Cape Verde, Mozambique, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, the United States (Miami), and several European cities. You can browse the full collection here. For European city hotels outside the Pestana portfolio, travelers also compare options through partners like Danube Hotels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Pestana Group is one of Europe’s most underrated hotel collections. With 90+ properties spanning cliffside Madeira resorts, modern city hotels, CR7-branded lifestyle stays, and family all-inclusives, it offers unusual breadth for a group that started as a single Madeira hotel in 1972.
Whether you are heading to Madeira for mountain walks and Atlantic views, booking a city break in Lisbon or Berlin, or exploring beach resorts in Cape Verde, Pestana consistently delivers reliable Portuguese hospitality at competitive prices. You can check the full portfolio and best rates here.
