Stanley Island

Getting engaged on the Island made this stay a memory we'll cherish, and the managers organized the proposal so it felt like a dream come true. We can't thank everyone enough, and you'll definitely see us again. The beautiful views, amazing rooms, top-class food, and well-organized stay were all matched by the friendliest staff. They made us feel like part of the family. A big thank you to the boat drivers Blessings, Jevani, Balli, the kind waiter Zee, the awesome host Celistene, and the managers.

The main drawback for us was the lack of proper window shading. At 5am the rooms became as bright as day when the sun came up. I felt as if Helios himself was waking me. I'd be fine sleeping in an eye mask, but our 5mo son was wide awake at 5am every morning, which was a real bummer. Proper blackout curtains could easily fix it. Still, this place comes pretty close to a perfect hotel, though I haven't found one yet. It's on an island, with a free ferry that takes about 5min and runs whenever you need it. The pretty ride was something we really enjoyed. The hotel is beautiful, with lots of care in the small details. The rooms have high-quality kit, including cast iron pans and an air fryer. My own kitchen is almost less well-equipped. The beds were comfortable, bathrooms stunning and practical, and bathrobes extremely plush. In the morning, you open the curtains to wild zebras. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and offered a baby crib for our 5mo son. We visited in December, and despite no air con, the rooms stayed surprisingly cool. Breakfast was included, but there were very few options, the one part that wasn't outstanding.

The only downside? We booked just two nights, when I could have stayed for weeks. Everything was perfection, and we're already looking forward to coming back. Stanley Island was the best hidden gem of our Garden Route road trip, though even that doesn't do it justice. The accommodation was beautiful, the island stunning, and the food delicious. The cute boat trip over, picnic baskets for lunch and breakfast, and of course the Zebras made it all even better. Thanks so much to the team for making our stay special.

The ferry ride, a huge family room with little thoughtful touches everywhere, and zebras roaming free right in front of our balcony made Stanley Island AMAZING. It left us happy and impressed. So peaceful and beautiful, I don't have words for it. Everybody was very nice and friendly. One small suggestion for the included breakfast: please offer water as well as juice. The girl serving us in the restaurant wasn't very happy or friendly, and came across strangely when we asked her questions. That's a shame after such an amazing experience. Still, five stars plus, and I'd definitely come back with my family one day.