Burleigh Gardens North Hi-Rise

The only issue was the construction noise outside, which you can’t control. The staff were really helpful with bookings and check-ins, and the apartment was lovely, clean and fully equipped. I’d definitely stay here again.

We were so unhappy with the unit that we packed up and went elsewhere, cutting our losses. We’d paid $650, and when we raised the problems, the manager acted like we’d ruined his day. He was extremely rude and dismissive. When we said the unit needed a lot of work, he replied, “well if you think so,” without apologizing. He offered us another room, but by then we were too annoyed and upset to accept it. The place was old and outdated, and what we got didn’t match the advertising or justify the price. There were rusted vents hanging halfway from the ceiling, unrepaired holes in the walls and mould, among other things. When we first complained, the manager asked, “whats wrong with it?” in a rude, condescending tone. Judging by the number of one star reviews, this seems to have been a common problem for previous holiday-goers. Spend your money elsewhere.

The air conditioning had broken a few days before check-in, and the rest of the apartment was old and tired. The balcony door lock was broken, the bathroom sink drained poorly, and the bedroom TV turned on but wouldn’t change channels. The lounge TV had no local channels. I might have accepted the condition if I’d at least been able to see the ocean. Instead, I got a level 2 apartment facing the tennis courts, although I’d booked the advertised level 9 room with ocean views. Colin said the apartment I booked had sold in august, five months earlier, and he hadn’t thought to tell me. I checked the listing afterwards and saw a review of the place I’d booked from November, so that explanation clearly wasn’t true. He said there wasn’t much he could do and offered a refund, but it was peak season and everything else nearby was sold out. He called the two bedroom apartment an upgrade, but there were only two of us and we didn’t need the extra room.

We left after an hour because of a disgusting smell in the toilet, and moved to the village on the other side of James St. For the same $300, that place was newer, cleaner and quieter, and just as close to everything good in Burleigh. We’d booked here because it was one of the only places available for a one night stay the other weekend. I think $300 is an unholy amount for what you get, even if that’s the going rate locally. I’d suggest staying elsewhere in Burleigh, or up the road in Miami.