Apollo Dream Suites

I found the price hard to justify. They charge over $450 a night for a very basic room in a location that didn’t seem particularly special, apparently banking on peak-season demand. The value just wasn’t there, and it felt like a rip-off. There was no reception or staff to help, except for someone doing the laundry. She couldn’t speak English, so she wasn’t able to understand us or assist. In Australia, I’d expect the owners to have staff who can communicate with guests. The stay was deeply disappointing, and I wouldn’t recommend it unless the nightly rate came down below $125. Some of the positive reviews also seem misleading to me, since they don’t match what we experienced.

The room was clean, bright and modern, with plenty of space if all you want is a bedroom. The bathroom was especially nice, and there were electrical and USB outlets all over. Still, for more than one night, the place didn’t match how it had been presented to me by my travel agent or on the Apollo Dream Suites website. It’s technically a two-bedroom apartment, but the master bedroom doubles as the living and dining area, and the “kitchen” is really a kitchenette. There’s a fridge, microwave, kettle and toaster, but no cooking plates or pans. You can’t make a meal for four, and there’s no sink, so we had to fill the kettle and wash dishes in the bathroom. Apart from a basic breakfast or sandwich, eating out is pretty much necessary. The large sliding doors are nice, though opening the curtains leaves the whole bedroom visible from the street. There’s barely space to sit outside and no outdoor furniture. We heard voices and other noise from upstairs until late, despite reviews saying it’s quiet. On-site parking is listed, but there are only three spaces for at least five apartments. There’s street parking in front. Apollo Bay isn’t huge, but the restaurants and beaches are about a 20-minute walk away, and driving means dealing with parking. Service was nonexistent: nobody makes the bed or replaces dirty dishes, and the reception that’s meant to be open all day is basically just a phone number. For one night it could work, but I wouldn’t want to stay several nights.

The new apartment was spotless and neat, with plenty of space and just the kitchenette facilities we needed. Check-in and checkout were easy. I’d stay again.

Lots of room, plenty of amenities, and clean and comfortable throughout. The one drawback is the distance from town and the lack of an ocean view. Apart from that, it was great.