The Waterfront Hotel

The breakfast alone makes a stay at the Waterfront worth considering: fresh-squeezed juices, fruit, warm croissants and pain au chocolate from the oven, plus eggs and English classics done very well. Even with cruise ship passengers arriving for lunch and dinner, Tom, Amir and Alex take time to listen and make guests feel welcome. The six rooms above the acclaimed restaurant feel personal and quiet, with soft linens, hand-selected artisanal soaps, library-quiet walls and thoughtful Christmas touches, including bakery treats at check-in. Alex Olmeda, a chef and restaurateur since the early 2000s, has clearly put care into the details. In Stanley, where places to stay are often more functional than memorable, this feels like intimate luxury. Many visitors book the 70-room Malvina House simply because it’s there and has capacity. The Waterfront’s six rooms offer a prime location, excellent food and genuinely warm service. It’s hospitality that feels personal.

The harbor walk, local shops and cruise ship arrivals are all an easy stroll away, and the harbor views from the warmly lit dining room make meals feel special. Breakfast is a highlight, with fresh-squeezed juices, warm pan de chocolate, flaky croissants and well-prepared English breakfast options. The restaurant draws locals and visitors throughout the day, and has earned its reputation as Stanley’s premier gathering place. Upstairs, the six-room Waterfront Hotel is quiet despite the activity below, with harbor sounds drifting in. The beds are plush, the bathrobes soft, the Wi-Fi robust and the furnishings worthy of a Four Seasons. Owner Alex Olmedo, a trained chef, oversees both the rooms and his award-winning restaurant, while Amir and Tom provide genuinely warm service. In this remote South Atlantic outpost, it’s a refined, comfortable stay that feels welcoming without being pretentious.

The fish and chips were delicious. I was visiting from a cruise ship, and a local had told me this cafe served the best. It was crowded and very popular, but the service was good. Definitely worth a visit.

The evening meals were excellent every night, and there’s a good menu. Breakfast was very good too, with plenty to choose from. The staff were welcoming and attentive throughout my long weekend here while working on island. My room was a little cramped but laid out well, and the bed was super comfortable, so I slept pretty well. I was at the back, though, and could hear the kitchen staff; the banging bins sometimes disturbed me. They provide a free Wi-Fi code. It isn’t the fastest, and I found it helped to turn off all updates. You have to remember where you are. Next time I’m out for work, I’ll look to get some downtime here again.