Pestana D. João II Beach & Golf Resort

Great hotel with fabulous views. Happy hour in the bar 18.00 to 19.00 indoor and outdoor pool spa and outdoor gym. Rooms are a good size with a balcony lifts to all areas. Access directly to the beach and promenade

Have been staying in Pestana hotels for a long number of years and whilst aware that they are older hotels and potentially have their star ratings due to their location rather than their experience, I was still disappointed in my latest stay. The original sea view room we were allocated had a side glimpse of the sea (could see it if I hung around the concrete wall on the left of the balcony) but otherwise looked directly onto a fairly busy road and had no direct sunlight . I immediately went back to reception to request to be moved (was told on check in that the sea view rooms and floors 3 and above) and was then allocated a 2nd floor room facing the pool with the sea in the background (obscured by the mature trees in the garden of the hotel) but at least had the sun for most of the day. I had been told that the hotel was fully booked and I couldn’t have a room on floor 3 or above until 2nd Jan (checked in 30th Dec). I accepted the room swap acknowledging that I’d still like to move on the 2nd as I hadn’t yet been provided with the sea view I had booked. The second room we had been allocated (floor 2, pool view) was in dire need of attention from the hotel maintenance team, the bathroom door wouldn’t close, the paint was peeling around the door frames, 2 wall lights were missing and the floor lamp did not work. I informed reception abut the floor lamp but it wasn’t fixed. On 2nd Jan I was made to feel like a real inconvenience to reception when I asked what time my new room would be ready, I was told I had a sea view and didn’t need to be moved but I stood my ground and a fully functioning room on the 4th floor with a gorgeous view along the whole beach and across the sea was provided. I left a list with reception of maintenance items needing addressed with the second floor room (see pictures). We were on B&B basis and the breakfasts were fine, the layout in the restaurant isn’t particularly great and the food was ok. We booked to have a Buffet Dinner on our arrival night (€30pp plus drinks) and the food was inedible. We got a full refund as we couldn’t eat anything that was provided (gristly fried pork, fish that was so overcooked it was like rubber, chorizo that was white the whole way through) and after a lot of back and forth, managed to get a refund and walked into town to find something to eat. The positives - the staff were, on the whole, lovely. The location is incredible - straight out of the garden and onto the boardwalk / beach, straight out of reception and 10mins into the town centre. We had massages in the spa and those were fantastic. On the whole, for the cost, we wouldn’t choose to stay in this hotel again. For groups of golfers who just want somewhere to sleep, it is perfect! However, if you are looking for a relaxing holiday with 4star facilities and standards, this isn’t the hotel to choose.

This is now the 3rd time me and my wife have stayed at the Dom Joao ii. For Christmas and New Year. I don't know what more I can say about this hotel and the staff, that I haven't said in previous reviews. As soon as we arrive, we are immediately greeted by the very pleasant reception staff and also the very helpful porters. The hotel is beautiful in every way, our room was superb, overlooking the sea. The restaurant is clean and there is a wide selection of foods available for breakfast. The outside grounds and pool area are well maintained and a great place to sit back and relax. Personally the bar area is just a perfect place to have a drink and just enjoy the views out to sea. I need to give a special mention to Olena,Roy and Anastasia who as always made me and my wife feel very welcome and always had time for a nice chat. Nothing was too much trouble for them. And on New Year's Eve the bar and restaurant staff were incredibly professional and really made celebrating the New Year very special. We will be definitely back for Christmas/New Year 2025 and we can't wait. Thank You everyone at Dom Joao for making our Christmas very very special.

Good location. Not far from the beach and this is great. The room number was good. The service staff is always friendly, smiling and attentive to each guest. From the first minutes of our stay in the restaurant, he created an atmosphere of comfort and comfort. He not only serves quickly and efficiently, but is always ready to help with the choice of dishes or offer something special from the menu. His attentiveness and goodwill made our vacation even more pleasant. Thanks to Jay for excellent service, we will definitely return!

Where to start with this place. My parents are both disabled and half way through the holiday the disable stair lifts stopped working which made it extremely difficult for them to get to breakfast and the bar area. The worst part was the staffs attitude towards them. They told them to walk through the kitchen which wasn’t acceptable and not particularly safe. The room was sub par and we had black mould on both of our lamp shades in our room. Part of the door frame fell down when we were there. There was no kettle in the room and when we asked they said they had ran out. We arrived late at night and got into the room after hours of travelling to find there was no drinking water. I went to reception to ask for a bottle of water and they said there was nowhere to get one in the hotel and I could try going into town. Probably the first hotel I’ve been to that doesn’t have a bottle of water in the room on arrival. Other points worth noting are that are room smelt of sewage and one of beach villas in our booking someone tried breaking in through the window when they were out. All in all a shocking experience. Definitely wouldn’t recommend this place and can’t believe it’s 4 star. The only positive is the setting which is beautiful. The beach is amazing and there is a board walk which takes you into town.