Seasons Botanic Gardens

The room was quiet even on St Kilda Rd, with a comfortable bed, crisp linen, and a well equipped kitchen. It was spacious and spotlessly clean, and the staff were great. I appreciated the room upgrade too. Trams and ANZAC station are within walking distance. This is my new go to place to stay in Melbourne.

The location was good, across from the Shrine, with easy tram access to the city. The rest of the stay left a bad taste. We booked a two bedroom and our confirmation said five guests, but there were only two beds. We asked for a foldout for the fifth person and were told it would cost extra. After some back and forth went nowhere, they did provide extra bedding and a towel, so we made up a bed on the couch. Under the couch section we used, we found a previous guest’s anti-depressant medication, which suggested basic cleaning had been missed. The shower grout was mouldy, the cast iron bath was rusting, and chipped paint, skirting, and corners made the room feel outdated. It may have been rated 4 Star when built, but I’m not sure when that was last assessed. The pool area ceiling had serious water damage, the spa was out of order and looked like it had been for a while, and the gym equipment needed maintenance. There was also a cat urine kind of smell across the whole floor. They need serious upgrades, and if they want to provide customer service, they should consider actually providing some. I expect the hotel to argue that I’m wrong, as it seems to do in response to negative reviews. That just shows how disconnected they are. Repeat business, positive reviews, and word of mouth count for a lot. Bring on the retort!

Walking across the road to the beautiful botanical gardens was perfect. We were here with my husband for a mini break, and I was impressed by how roomy the place felt. The bed was comfortable, and the couch area by the windows had plenty of space. There was a mini kitchen, which would work well for a longer stay since you can cook or reheat takeaway. I wish we’d stayed longer.

Being close to the tram lines made it easy to get around the city, and the location was perfect. We had a great stay, with exceptional service and daily housekeeping visits. The only downside was construction next door, which made getting around the car park difficult.