Pestana São Tomé: The History of the Pestana Hotels in the Archipelago

The Pestana name is among the most recognized in Portuguese hospitality, and São Tomé and Príncipe is part of that story too — though not always in the way more recent travelers know it today. If you're planning your trip and have heard of "Pestana São Tomé", it's worth understanding the full history behind the name, including a chapter that's no longer active.

The Pestana Group's connection to São Tomé and Príncipe
The Pestana Group has had a presence in the archipelago for several decades, and over the years has managed some of the destination's most notable addresses — from historic hotels in São Tomé city to a rather unique beach resort on a small islet to the south of the country.

The former Pestana Equador, on Ilhéu das Rolas
Since 2004, the Pestana Group managed the Pestana Equador, a beachfront resort on Ilhéu das Rolas — the small islet south of São Tomé that straddles the equator line and today forms part of the most sought-after extension on our circuits. It's one of the few resorts in the world literally sitting on both hemispheres, with a monument marking the exact dividing point.

Why the Pestana Equador is no longer part of the current portfolio
Managing a resort on an isolated islet, reachable only by boat from Ponta Baleia, brought significant operational and logistical challenges over the years, largely linked to weak regional air connectivity and irregular occupancy. Over time, the management partnership between the Pestana Group and the resort's owners came to an end, and the Pestana Equador is no longer part of the group's active portfolio. Today, Ilhéu das Rolas remains one of the most beautiful stops in the archipelago — and we still include it as a full-day extension on our circuits — but it's no longer connected to the Pestana Group.

The two Pestana hotels in São Tomé city today
Today, the Pestana Group is present only in São Tomé city, with two hotels:
- Pestana São Tomé, an Ocean & Spa hotel
- Pestana Miramar São Tomé, a historic hotel

Pestana São Tomé: the Ocean & Spa hotel
Located in Baía Ana Chaves, about 1 km from the city's historic center, Pestana São Tomé is the group's more recent hotel in the archipelago, aimed at those seeking comfort and a spa right by the sea, already within the city itself.

Pestana Miramar São Tomé: the historic hotel named after a baron
Pestana Miramar São Tomé is the older of the two, with a colonial-charm building that dates back to its original construction by a German baron — the hotel's restaurant, Le Baron, is named precisely in his honor. Surrounded by tropical gardens and with direct access to the sea, this hotel also gained international recognition when São Tomé and Príncipe was included by CNN in its list of the 20 best places to visit in 2020.

Is it worth staying at a Pestana hotel in São Tomé?
On our circuits, we favor accommodation in historic roças and jungle eco-lodges, for a more authentic experience closer to nature — as we explain in our article on how much does a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe cost. That said, a Pestana hotel can be an excellent option for extra nights in the city, before or after the circuit, especially for those who prefer a more international hotel standard by the sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pestana Equador on Ilhéu das Rolas still operating?
It's no longer part of the Pestana Group's active portfolio. The resort's management ended over the years, largely due to the logistical challenges of operating on an isolated islet.

How many Pestana hotels currently exist in São Tomé and Príncipe?
Two, both in São Tomé city: Pestana São Tomé (Ocean & Spa) and Pestana Miramar São Tomé (historic hotel).

Can Ilhéu das Rolas still be visited?
Yes. It remains one of the most beautiful stops in the archipelago and is part of the full-day extension included in our circuits — it has simply stopped being connected to the Pestana Group.

What's the difference between Pestana São Tomé and Pestana Miramar São Tomé?
Pestana São Tomé is the more recent hotel, an Ocean & Spa type, in Baía Ana Chaves. Pestana Miramar São Tomé is the historic hotel, with a colonial building dating back to a German baron.

Want to discover Ilhéu das Rolas and the real historic São Tomé, beyond just the hotels? Talk to us — our circuits take you to the roças, the eco-lodges and the stops that tell the archipelago's real history.

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