iStay Precinct Adelaide

$516 for two nights is insane. The ground-floor apartment by the front entrance, next to the massage pala, had a filthy carpet that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years. The lounge was very dusty when I hit it and had a strange smell. There also weren't enough towels when I had guests over.

The layout made moving luggage a pain, especially because the two basement lifts don't connect. Staff also gave rushed directions about parking and building access, and seemed confused by simple instructions. Service was rude and unhelpful, with inappropriate comments about us that a friend later repeated. The stay was overpriced and uncomfortable. There weren't enough towels for the registered guests, and we were told to fetch a third ourselves without any apology for the repeated hassles. Registered guests couldn't use the lift because they had “run out of keys,” so we had to go downstairs while juggling showers. The intercom was only mentioned after a frustrating phone call. Our corner unit had a much more limited view than the online photos suggested. The TV internet didn't work, no WiFi password was provided, and one mirror in a two-bedroom unit made sharing the space inconvenient. The hotel fell short on basic service, amenities, price and honesty in advertising. Very disappointing.

The nightclub next door was far louder than I remember, even though it was there on earlier visits. It started at 10pm and kept us from sleeping. After a couple of years away, I was disappointed to find the rooms tired, with carpets that badly needed cleaning and bathroom and kitchen fittings needing an upgrade and a scrub. The shower door leaked badly, and the toiletries were placed awkwardly inside the cubicle. There wasn't always hot water either. This had been my preferred place since it was built, but I'll think twice before booking again.

We had a nice sized self-contained apartment in a complex with a pool and gym. The balcony was good, though the windows need something to prevent falls, especially for children or intoxicated adults. Music from nearby venues made our room noisy, the bathroom wasn't properly cleaned, and I found a hair in the bed.