Birches Serviced Apartments

The bathroom was covered in mould, there were stains on the carpet, and steel wool had been stuffed into holes by the split system air con. That’s used to keep mice out, since they can’t chew through it. The place looked nothing like the website photos. The operators also tried to cancel my booking for F1 weekend so they could charge some unsuspecting guest a ridiculous rate. We would have walked right back out after getting the key if it hadn’t been Grand Prix weekend. I can’t give this place a low enough rating.

I paid nearly $250 for a standard room, and it was one of the worst apartments I’ve ever walked into. The smell hit me straight away and made me feel sick. I’d booked because it was close to the hospital where I was having surgery, but I checked in and was back out within five minutes. I told reception the room was filthy and I couldn’t stay, and got no apology. They tried to charge a $35 cancellation fee, but I insisted on all my money back. Thankfully, they refunded it straight away. This business needs a major makeover, or to close. I went around the corner and paid $40 more per night for a five-star hotel. Looking back, I should have done that first.

At 11:30pm I was left on the road outside the building in a foreign city with nowhere to stay, after they cancelled my reservation without warning. When I cried, they said it was “inappropriate” and refused to open the door. Absolutely disgusting. If they did this to me, they could do it to you.

I booked this room last year for a stay after surgery, but they didn’t give me the room I’d reserved. The one they gave me was extremely inappropriate, so I had to cancel the rest of my stay. Despite multiple emails and phone calls, I still haven’t received my money back. I’m disgusted by the place and how I’ve been treated. I’ve contacted the police and reported them to the ACCC. Whoever owns this business should be charged with fraud for stealing people’s money.