South Central

There are several cafes just a short walk away, with plenty more within a couple of blocks, and I’d happily stay here again. The apartments are nicely equipped, and the glass ensuite is a lovely touch. The car park is cramped, as you’d expect in the inner city, and the rail noise is noticeable at first but fades into the background after about an hour. The front office looks a bit neglected, which doesn’t help the kerb appeal.

The living area was spacious, and the sofa also worked as a fold-out bed. The pool was a nice temperature, everything was clean, and they gave us a bottle of bubbles for the trouble. The booking got changed from three bedrooms to two, and the employee who said he’d send new confirmation details never did. We also had to work out for ourselves where to check in. Still, things turned out fine in the end.

The air conditioning has been switched off for more than a month during summer while the units are being replaced. I was told to leave and clear my belongings from the unit for most of the weeks, yet I still had to pay the full rent in advance. When I sent the manager my concerns and complaint, I got no reply. The owner and manager seem not to care how this affects residents and act as if their decisions are final. I’m warning people now: don’t choose this place. They rip you off.

The pool area had a nice view, though its lights kept cutting out every five minutes. We were visiting friends, and the inside of the hotel seemed nice. Getting to the car park was a real hassle: the address on Peel Street sent us the wrong way, since the entrance is on Merivale Street. We had to wind around one-way streets before finding it.