HOTEL REVIEW: THE STANLEY, PORT MORESBY

Tel +675 2077 888, see thestanleypng.com

WHO STAYS? Business travellers, diplomats, transiting tourists.

HOW BIG? 400 rooms over 18 floors.

COST From about PGK850 a night.

CHECK IN 2pm

CHECK OUT 11am

HIGHLIGHTS With walls covered in colourful artworks celebrating Singapore’s Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture, traditional tiles and rooms full of ceramics, you are surrounded by South-East Asian culture.

NEARBY Located in Waigani, the property is connected to Port Moresby’s only integrated shopping complex, Vision City Mega Mall, with direct access to a bank, nightclub, cinema, supermarket and several restaurants. Access is via a dedicated doorway from the hotel.

Wi-Fi in rooms/public areas:

TV:

Air conditioning in room:

Room service:

Swimming pool:

Free airport transfers:

Gym:

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Breakfast included in standard charge:

Location

The suburb of Waigani is the parliamentary precinct, full of embassies and the machinery of government. The National Museum, Arts Theatre, Supreme Court and Royal Port Moresby Golf Club are all very handy. The hotel overlooks the Sir John Guise Stadium and adjoins Vision City Mega Mall. Waigani Market, a traditional open-air produce market, is a short drive away. the place

If the Stanley feels familiar it’s because it follows a design theme popular in South-East Asia, particularly Malaysia. The entrance lobby is a shiny, cavernous space, gleaming with polished marble with a neat coffee nook, the Rainforest Cafe to the side, and a large and very popular restaurant, the Green Haus, located just past reception and a large 3D Tribal Frieze by Di Emme Design. The plush Executive Club and the smart Silver Leaf finedining restaurant are on level 19. You’ll find The Mezz cocktail bar there, too, with expansive views over the neighbourhood.

Rooms

Regular rooms are above average size, at 32 square metres for the standard, right up to 68 square metres for the corner suite. In anticipation of longer stayers and dignitaries, The Stanley has both one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as a whopping 340 square metres Presidential Suite and a smaller (110sqm)

Junior (Vice) Presidential Suite.

Regular guests still enjoy all the features of a full-service hotel with free Wi-Fi, LED TV, minibar, ironing board and room service. Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the room with natural light and offer great views no matter what side of the building you’re on.

Food And Drink

You really need not venture out at all with the range of eateries within the walls of The Stanley. The Silver Leaf fine-dining restaurant is certainly raising eyebrows (in a good way) in POM and adding a new level to the local dining scene, but it seems the 160-seat casual Green Haus on the ground floor is the real scene stealer. The buffet-style restaurant is packed with locals and ex-pats every weekend.

What Guests Like

“Stayed here for a short stay in Port Moresby and was impressed by the quality. The Corner Suite had great views over Sir John Guise stadium and surrounding hills. The Executive Lounge breakfasts were very good, with buffet or a la carte style service. The local PNG coffee is good. Location is good for access to Vision City Mega Mall and walking distance to many other services. Clean, comfortable and great service.” –

TripAdvisor