We decided to treat ourselves to a weekend in Melbourne and picked the hotel from the web for its location and facilities.

It was a great weekend in a great location, really handy for Melbourne's many attractions. All the staff were welcoming and helpful and the Concierge gave us some great suggestions for restaurants within walking distance. The one bedroom executive suite with the queen bed was very comfortable and had plenty of space. We like to bring our own bubbly and snacks so always look for somewhere with kitchen facilities and this was ideal.

We'll be back!

The Stamford Plaza in Melbourne is perfectly located for getting around Melbourne an enjoying all that the heart of the city has to offer. We were treated very well on our (very early) arrival; our baggage was store without complaint; the concierge helped sort out our plans for the morning; and the front desk took our mobile number to advise as soon as our room was ready. And indeed, a call was received around noon - well before the advised check in time. Great service all around!

Our room was one of the one bedroom suites (bedroom plus kitchen/living space), which adequately accommodated two parents and a pull out cot for our 3 year old. The room was classically appointed and while perhaps slightly dated and certainly not "hip", it was hardly a decor one could complain of. The primary issue in relation to the room was that the windows were so dirty as to let in virtually no light! A visitor to our room thought that we had the shade pulled - they were that filthy (street level construction the probably culprit). Admittedly we did not bring up this issue to management (we couldn't be bothered to move and the windows wouldn't be cleaned over the weekend). However, given their absolutely appalling state, a simple note of apology and acknowledgment on our arrival would have been the appropriate response of a truly top tier hotel.

Windows aside, we found the service at the hotel, particularly the concierge, to be very good (we indulged in room service and these comments carry through to that as well). We enjoyed the use of the pool on more than one occasion. The pool was a nice but largely utilitarian environment.

Now, I know that hotels are awarded stars according the facilities and services they have, but you must be kidding, this hotel is no where near five stars, more like 3 max. It really can't live up to 5 stars, worn out and uncomfortable as it is.

Ok, ok, I booked through the LasT Minute website, the mystery 5 star accommodation for one night and got a great deal (if it really would have been quality as expected from a quality 5 star hotel). I was expecting that with the cheap price we would get the crappiest room in the hotel but that the hotel would be otherwise quality and friendly experience....

On arrival, there was about 5 staff members working at the reception desk, all doing their best to ignore the queu of customers trying to check in. Once been attended the unsmiling receptionist the check in was fast and painless itself. And up we went to our room 914.

Room 914 is a studio suite with two double beds. As we entered, we noticed that the room was extreamly stuffy and hot, with sun streaming in through the window, so we adjusted the aircon to it's coolest and the fan on highest. Whilst doing this a person from room service arrived to deliver replacement blanket, so we commented about the stuffiness. He agreed that the room was hot and proceeded to adjust the aircon again. Well, the aircon was on it's coolest level and fan on maximum for our whole stay (we even left the extra key on eletricity system to keep the aircon going) and the room never cooled down, stuffy, stuffy. As per normal, the aircon has been positioned so that it plasts directly on to the bed.

Now, I agree with the earlier reviews, what is the point of suites, if it really means cramming the room to the maximum. Kitchen is ok, but takes too much room. Dining area takes the most of the room and instead should have been used as a sitting area, as the sitting area is facing the kitchen and your little tiny tv is about metre away from where yous are sitting. Two double beds are next to the window (bay window) but you'll have to climb over the beds to reach the window, even to close the curtains.

As the beds are double, they are too short for an adult, so your legs end up hunging off the bed whilst tossing and turning, trying to sleep in the hot room. Needless to say, chiropractor here we come, rest of the weekend we both had back pains.

Harry's bar was a disappointment, shows again how worn out the hotel is and needs re-deco urgently (maybe a bulldozer would do the job). Breakfast room (Harry's restaurant, which we didn't use for dinner) is as worn out, also the food on breakfast was disappointment. Happen to see into the kitchen, as the doors between the kitchen and dining area were wide open, what a mess...

Overall, please reduce the star rating of this Stamford, even Sir Stamford would agree. And by the way, not a single staff member managed to make a smiling face of happy expression whilst we were staying in the hotel, even that we did not complain whilst there , instead suffered quietly thinking that we got what we paid for. The best thing was that we did not pay the normal price, imagine the disappointment!

My husband and I stayed here when touring Australia in 2000. The location is great, just a short walk from great coffee bars and places to eat. Also a short downhill walk to the centre of Melbourne and the river.

The suite was fairly small, but more than adequate and loved the spa bath.

We are looking to stay there again this December when we will also tour other parts of Australia. In fact I was trying really hard earlier to remember the name of the hotel as we enjoyed our stay there so much last time and certainly want to stay there again.