Le Stanley Hotel and Suites

The room was nothing like we expected from the advertising. It was dark, small, dirty, outdated, needed maintenance, and smelled of cigarette smoke. There was one double bed, one single, and just two pillows. The bathroom made me feel dirty just being in it. The noisy air conditioning made the smell worse, and the daily internet allowance was limited, with a fee for more. The view was nice, but that was the only good thing. Staff seemed friendly when we arrived, then lost that friendliness and their English when we said, after about 10 minutes in the room, that we couldn’t stay. We were willing to pay for one night, but they charged us for all 3.

The room reeked of cigarette smoke, and we left after 10 minutes. They still charged us for all 3 nights. The place was nothing like the website pictures, which felt like false advertising. It was small, dark, and dingy, with a pillow missing from one bed. Cupboard doors were falling off in the kitchen, and the tiny bathroom was disgusting. You certainly wouldn’t feel clean after using it.

It’s a quiet spot, with friendly staff and a big parking lot. The rooms look out over the sea, and it’s a rare New Caledonia hotel that provides wine glasses in the room. The view is great, though it’s a long way from the city center.

We moved after two nights because the room had a horrible smell, though it wasn’t musty. At the new place, Hotel Beaurivage, we got soap, but not utensils or milk for coffee. The Stanley offered no refund when we moved or cancelled, and charged us extra at checkout for alcohol we’d bought. The whole experience was so disappointing, especially after being misled, and I hope they eventually sort things out. The rooms were tired and smelly, with no soap or toiletries, no milk, and nothing else provided. They were noisy all night, with rattling pipes and sounds like people dragging furniture. Our rooms and towels weren’t serviced like at other hotels. Signs pointed to a bar and restaurant, but neither was there. We arrived on a late flight with nothing to eat, and it was a long way to find anything. The hotel is far from everything, with a 25 minute drive to food and bars, and taxis we ordered took an hour. The balcony had two worn-out plastic chairs, nothing like the website. The shower was over a high-sided bath, difficult for anyone with a bad hip or knee, and the shower head wouldn’t stay in place. There was no soap, and the old-fashioned curtain made it a struggle. This is no luxury hotel when you arrive from a flight hoping for a shower, drinks, and dinner. They should be ashamed of offering tourists so little and should refund the money. Hotel Beaurivage has a fantastic location, a bar, and staff who know how to operate. That’s all we wanted, good value, not rip-offs like Le Stanley.