Birches Serviced Apartments

The towels and bedsheets appeared to be clean but we didn't stay in the room long enough to find out.

Very shady transactions going on in the carpark as we drove in. The room smelt terrible and the carpet and furniture (including the sofa bed which we intended to use) were heavily stained. Everything was run down and while it was obviously the same place, it looked virtually nothing like the photos on the listing. Despite security cameras and signs warning of a $200 fine, other "guests" were chain smoking on the balcony on either side of our room and and the outside window sills were covered in coffee cups full of cigarette butts. We were travelling with a child who immediately felt unsafe. We deliberated for about 10mins before deciding to cut our losses and find alternative accommodation. If we weren't so concerned for our own safety and the security of our luggage and car we would have asked for a refund. We were more interested in leaving asap. Within 20mins we were in another apartment around the corner that was not only infinitely better equipped, cleaner, and without the dodgy guests, but was $50 a night cheaper! Deeply regret not reading the other negative reviews more closely, the majority of which are completely accurate.

Bed bugs, some rough occupants banging on the door (not mine) in the middle of the night, overall, the place does not feel as secure and safe as it used to be.

I can not comment due to Maxine canceling my accommodation 5hrs before check in.

This was the worst booking.com experience I’ve ever had after years of using this service. My host Maxine cancelled my stay a mere hrs before check in with a text. I could not make contact with her via a phone call, or leave a message and my text was left unanswered for hrs. I booked it months in advance as I had a crucial medical appointment. Nearby. This caused me and my party a hell of a lot of stress during an already stressful part of my life. We arrived at the accommodation to have the manager confirm that our accommodation had been rented out to someone else. What was interesting is that the state of origin was on this very night and that birches apartments were available but at an inflated price. Maxine relocated us to a 3star motel which was 15-20min away. I didn’t want to relocate as it was not in the required location, the motel was very outdated and it cost me a lot of money for uber and taxi rides. I was too stressed and exhausted after a long drive from east Gippsland so I took the downgraded accommodation. I will never go back to birches apartments or use booking.com again due to the unethical mistreatment of me, lack of compassion, lack of professionalism and at the end of the day, my booking and the fact the money had been taken out of my account, we were confirming a parking space etc meant nothing and was cancelled vis a text to maximise their profit. I’m extremely disappointed.

The location for our MCG event was great, 15 minute easy walking distance to the the MCG & restaurants great.

Upon arrival into room 4 a stench was apparent & the room obviously poorly cleaned.Mouse crap on the stove,the filters were greasy,filthy/uncleaned for some time,the stench of mice around the stove area which was packed with steel wool, dead cochroachs,insects/bugs crawling on the fridge seal,floor sticky,holes in blankets I made this known to the office staff & asked for a different room,apparently another wasn't available.She said a "deep clean" would be done the following morning,when we were out,it wasn't the beds were made & towels folded only. I had used this Complex previously & it was not in this condition.I won't be using it again.

I had to rate all categories as poor due to our accommodation (3 rooms in total) being cancelled with no notification made until I was in reception

See above. Accommodation cancelled without notification

Nothing

Our booking was cancelled with no explanation on the day of our stay

Location and price

Grotty, old and cracked walls

We were not able to stay at Birches due to a power outage in our room, so they found us some last minute accommodation at City Edge, East Melbourne. The location was perfect for an easy walk to Rod Laver Arena and grateful to have beds for the night, even though not what we had booked.

Unfortunately, our room at City Edge was very basic. The bathroom was rather shabby, beds not very comfortable and no milk or drinking water provided in the fridge. However, these issues may have been due to the last minute check in.