Birches Serviced Apartments — Hotel in Melbourne

I've stayed at Birches on several occasions over the past few years and it used to be my go-to place when holidaying in Melbourne. There seems to have been a change in staffing at some point and this seemed to be when I noticed things going wrong. I really liked Birches as it was really close to town and was in a leafy area. The building was old but because it was well maintained, it gave it a really homey feel compared to the sterile-feeling hotels.

These days though the place seems to be in decline from a number of perspectives. Firstly I don't think the cleaners are being as thorough as before as I have found clothing and rubbish in cupboards or under the bed. Also the gas stoves needs to be lit with a lighter but make sure you check the lighters are working when you arrive. The wifi used to be really good here but lately it seems that the network locks you out after a few hours for some reason. On my most recent visit, on both nights I had no hot water for my shower late at night even though it seemed ok earlier in the evening.

The front desk seems to only be open 9-5 (with shorter hours on weekends) so getting assistance from the staff can be tricky if you're out all day. They did seem quite approachable though and willing to assist which was good. The laundry operates quite differently to other places I've stayed at. It's a shared, coin-operated facility so you need to somehow find enough $1 coins and make sure you get your washing done before 5 or they will lock the door. Apparently people staying in the next room have complained so I'm not sure why they don't use quieter machines or something. These restrictions can be quite problematic if you aren't going to be returning to your apartment until the evening and have washing to do.

Given that the place allows guests to bring their pets, you get some pet owners that aren't overly considerate but you also get other guests who are using the place as crisis accommodation but then have visitors (partners etc) and get into arguments either in the courtyard or in front of the building. Some of them use alcohol as a coping mechanism but it isn't pleasant to have to try and squeeze around intoxicated individuals.

Guests with physical challenges where dragging a suitcase up a full flight (or two) of stairs will be a problem should ensure they contact the staff to let them know they will require a ground-level room as there are no elevators. I'm not sure if I'll go back there for my next holiday as I have a few friends that have given me recommendations of other places to stay in the area that I'd...

Our experience at Birches was deeply disappointing, leading us to cancel our week-long stay within hours of arriving on Boxing Day. While cleanliness issues such as unpleasant odors and visible stains were concerning, they were not the primary reasons for our decision to leave.

The "one-bedroom apartment" is misleadingly described. It is essentially an extended ensuite rather than a true apartment. Unlike other serviced apartments that may lack a door separating the bedroom from the living space, this property’s bathroom is located directly within the bedroom. This setup eliminates any privacy or functional separation one would expect in an apartment, making it feel more like a budget motel than a proper serviced accommodation.

The furnishings were equally problematic. The sofa bed in the living area was extremely uncomfortable, unsuitable for anyone needing a proper night’s sleep. The property’s central location, while convenient, is offset by significant noise issues. The windows are old, lack proper insulation, and do not close securely, resulting in constant disturbances from street noise and adjacent rooms. Additionally, we were disrupted by loud banging sounds from neighbouring units and the faulty bathroom exhaust fan shutters.

At $273 per night, this property is grossly overpriced for its condition. It is in dire need of renovations to bring it up to standard. We brought our concerns to the owner, hoping for a constructive resolution. Unfortunately, their response was disappointing and unprofessional, as they deflected responsibility and suggested sharing private correspondence rather than addressing the issues we raised.

The pictures and descriptions provided are misleading and do not reflect the current state of the property. If you’re considering staying here, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere to avoid a...

Stinky and stained to say the least- but these were not the reason we cancelled our week's stay within a few hours of arriving. The so called "one bedroom apartment" is not actually an apartment but an extended ensuit at its best as it has no door to separate the living room from the bedroom. It is more like a two star motel. The sofa bed in the living room is very very uncomfortable to sleep on. The central location is great but it does also mean loud noises overnight, as the windows are very old and not insulated, they also do not close properly. On top of that, there was the banging noise of next door rooms, as well as the periodic bang of the shutters of the bathroom exhaust fan. It needs major renovations and certainly not worth paying $273 per night. We raised the main issues with the owner to give them a chance to show good faith which we would have happily reflected in our review. In response, they threatened to publish the email we have sent them. There it goes their level of professionalism down the toilet flush - which by the way needs a real deep clean. The Do not be fooled by the pictures (god knows how old they are) or the description...