ibis Styles Kingsgate Hotel

I wanted a hotel within walking distance of Southern Cross Station & this fitted the bill. When I arrived a very grumpy person took $100 deposit even though I had paid in full in advance for my stay. This deposit took a week to be refunded. My single room was tiny & noisy being next to the liftwell. I won't be back.

We spent one night at the Ibis Styles Kingsgate, primarily because it is close to Southern Cross station and we had to catch the first bus to the airport in the morning. It was fine for our needs. The room was an ok size, with a reasonable sized shower. No problem with water pressure. Solid wifi. Not too noisy. The hotel is undergoing renovations, so there's no cafe or breakfast available at the moment.

This hotel was exactly what it promised to be - nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable. I stayed with my three teenage kids and we didn't feel too squished (although we weren't spending a lot of time in the room). Bathroom was updated, beds were comfy, amenities provided were fine. Location was great - easy to walk to Southern Cross Station and plenty of tram stops. Would have loved a toaster especially since the hotel cafe/breakfast was closed for renovations. Access to a guest laundry was handy, although not cheap at $4/load. Anyone with mobility issues should bear in mind there are stairs from the street.

The hotel was well located and very clean, but i probably woudn't rush back. It would suit those more on a budget. It is probably 1 stop up from hostel accommodation. That said, the staff were very nice and we did feel safe. It can get quite noisy on the weekend as we found out on our last night.

I had a few concerns when booking this property based on some of the reviews left by others. But since I only basic accommodations for my 2-night stay in Melbourne, I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed. In fact, I was quite pleasantly surprised. Even though I arrived late morning, I was checked in by a professional and cordial staff member. My room was small, as expected, but it looked like it had been recently upgraded. Carpet and furnishings were in excellent shape. Paint appeared reasonably fresh. Bed was very comfortable. Small work desk was ample for my traveling laptop. Room and bath were both spotless. Shower delivered a strong sream of hot water. Room was quiet - did not have any issues with noise from other guest rooms or traffic in the hallways, even though the room was in close proximity to the elevator. Check-out was simple, quick, and handled professionally. Location is convenient (short walk) to various tram lines and Southern Cross railway station. There is a small Woolworth's (groceries) "metro" store and a chemist about a block away. Overall - hotel exceeded my expectations, especially for the price. I would return.