Melbourne ViVo

I paid $300 for two nights, then asked to cancel after seeing the room, but the administrator refused, as did the booking site's customer service. They also require a deposit at check-in. The room's furniture and decor were old, outdated and dirty, like stepping back to 2005. There was a moldy smell from the carpet, filthy white walls and a dirty or rusty film over everything. The hotel is by a road, so traffic noise disturbed sleep. The windows were filthy too, and faced a neighboring wall, letting in no sunlight. They looked as if they hadn't been cleaned for about a year. There are no old reviews on any sites, which makes me think the hotel may change its name every few months when bad reviews hurt its rating. I really don't recommend staying here.

We booked seven nights but moved out rather than risk more exposure to bed bugs. After a couple of nights my daughter woke with bites. At first I brushed them off, then checked under the bed, which was covered in layers of foam and bedding stained with blood from bed bugs and other people. Disgusting and unhygienic. The room was damp, moldy and smelly when we arrived. The shower drain backed up on the first day and flooded the bathroom floor, so you have to cross wet floors to reach the sink or toilet, with only a dirty shower curtain separating them. The hot water was only lukewarm, so be ready for cold showers. There was no one at the front desk and service was very poor. Worst place I've stayed, especially for the price. Avoid it and find a better hotel.

The host was very stubborn when we asked to switch rooms so we could sleep. Getting her to agree was a real struggle, and even after the move she kept making things difficult. She wasn't exactly generous with hospitality. The building has no lift, so hauling our bags upstairs gave us quite a workout. The furniture was worn, the cleaning was lax and dusty, and the bed was so firm it made sure we wouldn't oversleep. Outside noise kept things lively too. A choice spot if you want to test your patience. Would I stay again? Yeah, nah.

The location was good, close to trams, and having a kitchen was convenient. But the showers were moldy and the pillowcases were strange mesh covers. The most unhygienic place I've ever stayed, and not somewhere I'd choose for a holiday.