Sofitel Melbourne

My husband and I stayed three nights at the Sofitel November 2005 in one of the newly refurbished suites. The suite was spacious, well laid out and best of all had a fantastic view of the city and beyond. The walls are almost entirely of floor length windows, really giving you a birds eye view. The hotel is situated in a small shopping complex and within walking distance of the city center and only a few blocks away from the Regent Theatre and the train station. The rooms were fresh, very clean and the beds were made up with sheet type duvet covers. This means they are washed after every visit and you don't mind sitting on them, a plus in my book. Closet space was very good and had plenty of room. A nice touch was the flat screen TV. The bathroom was of good size, the only thing I would liked to have had would be a seperate shower and bath.

Check in was smooth and friendly, the staff were very helpful with directions and the lobby inviting. They were most helpful when I became very sick on Sunday evening 8:00PM in procuring me the hotel doctor. He arrived witin the hour and treated me enough to see us home in comfort the following day. They also allowed a late check out due to my feeling unwell. As we were also there to celebrate my birthday they comped us with a lovely fruit platter and chocolates. I have read a few reviews of this hotel, some not so great, but I must say we are very picky and I really enjoyed my stay here and was grateful they had a doctor on call. I was even able to ride the elevator down to his office the following day.

We hope to return again in the following year and plan to stay at the Sofiel again.

Nice hotel convenient to meetings, shoppings, and Melbourne's best restaurants. The rooms are high up and I was given a nice renovated room. The view was excellent. Up to the quality of the best hotels in Sydney or Melbourne. I would stay here again.

We stay at the Sofitel every year for our Wedding Anniversary (which we have done for the last 8 years )Each year the service keeps deteriorating. There were so many stuff ups and incidents of poor service that it really ruined our stay. Yeah the views are great, yeah Cafe La Breakfast is great, but it's all about the service. The majority of staff we dealt with had poor customer service skills. Do not go expecting good service, you won't find it here!

My friend and I stayed in a suite for just one night, on the eve of her wedding. The hotel is being renovated and we had a newly appointed room, which was beautiful. A bonus was the sofa bed in the huge lounge-room; also the complimentary plunger coffee available in the room, and the extra-late checkout. The hotel staff also allowed us to have a pre-wedding gathering in the room with friends and family before we departed. The views were awesome, and we got a really great price for the room - perhaps because of the renovations taking place within the hotel. If I had to complain, I would say that there was a bit of dust - probably from the renovations - circulating through the air-con, which made sleeping a little uncomfortable. But overall, a great stay.

For the past few years we have been staying at the Sofitel because we liked it and were a member of their loyalty club. The hotel is located on levels 36?? upwards of a high rise building and has the most amazing views of Melbourne. The windows in the bedrooms are floor to ceiling in height which gives the nicely decorated rooms a feeling of openness and light. We stayed here for our wedding night this time and there was a lovely free bottle of champagne waiting for us on arrival.

However, as usual with this hotel - they view guests as only room-users and not hotel users. Their classy restaurant has closed down - I am not sure why - although we had given up trying to book a table there because it was forever fully booked (madam!). Their Piano Bar late at night is often full and noisy and manned by unfriendly staff who will rudely turn you away if there is no free table - even if you are hotel guests. I can understand that vacant tables don't just appear but they could offer an alternative (you know - the guest bit). I can't help but get the feeling this hotel views locals that walk in off the street as much more important than the hotel guests.......and this is not based on one visit. As I said earlier, we have stayed at this hotel many times.

So in all honesty I can only recommend this place as a bed and breakfast albiet a classy one. If you want to be treated with dignity in all areas of a swish hotel - stay elsewhere.

We stayed here for 3 nights. I have to say that I was quite disappointed in the service we received overall. Firstly, rennovations are happening until October 2005 (beware!), but I wasn't told this when I booked or upon arrival. Was taken up tp the 40th floor and as soon as we got into the room the jack-hammering began above. I could actually hear the workers footsteps above me. Once we informed the front desk, we were told the noise would stop at 5pm (it was 1pm at this stage). After much discussion, we was moved to a lower floor. I was told, in no uncertain terms, that my husband and I were 'very lucky to be moved at all'. Hmmmmm.

I do have to say that the rooms are lovely, spacious and quite luxurious. The bathroom is big, lots of wardrobe space, good mini bar etc. So, if you are looking for room features, this hotel is very nice.

The conceierge, a very friendly and obliging man, gave us a complimentary late checkout due to a flight time. However, upon settling our room charge with another staff member at the desk, I noticed the charge had been added it to our bill. Once I explained that the Head Concierge had, indeed offered it to us, the charge was taken off. I noticed another comment about overcharging in another review, so it may be worth your while to double cehck what you pay for.

I made all of the reservations, e.g. hotel, tours, and shuttle with the Chief Concierge at this hotel. Initially, I was unable to get in touch with the concierge by e-mail, but finally I was telephoned by this person, which I thought was wonderful. I received a profuse apology and an offer of complimentary pick-up by hotel limousine upon arrival at the airport - what a treat, and after arrival and giving the chief concierge our verbal thanks and an appreciative gratuity, we were told our return to the airport would also be by hotel limousine at no cost. This was most gracious and really topped off our most delightful stay at the hotel, etc. until we checked out and found the hotel limousine charges added to our bill. I adamantly informed the front desk clerk of the c

Chief Concierge's offer and that I was not paying for something I didn't suggest. Low and behold, when I returned home I received from the Front Desk Manager a copy of my charge card receipt billing me for hotel limousine services. Luckily, I found my copy of the e-mail where I informed the Chief Concierge that I wanted him to book a shuttle van long before his offer of gratis hotel limousine service. This I recently quoted to the Front Desk Manager in an e-mail who seems to be avoiding a response to me so I notified my credit card company to place a hold on paying this invoice to the Sofitel. To avoid being ripped-off, I suggest everyone save all hardcopies of hotel communications.

Stayed at the Sofitel mid 2003 and was a little disappointed. I was expecting a bit more for the 5 star price tag. The views were absolutely the best in Melbourne, however the room was small (and we upgraded from standard), only above average amenities in rooms, bathroom was nice. but again expected much more for 5 star.

We recently stayed at the Sofitel Hotel on Collins street, Melbourne. At all times the staff were most welcoming and helpful but the thing that made the experience so memorable for me were the views from any of the windows -e.g our room on the 38th floor, or the restaurant/dining room on the 35th floor -absolutely amazing at any time of day, but magical at night with all the lights of the city twinkling away before you. the rooms were very comfortable with all the usual appointments you would expect to find in a hotel room, mini-bar, hairdryer, dressing gowns, computer/fax access etc The hotel is situated within walking distance of the main city shopping area and there are many restaurants in the vicinity.I would reccommend the Sofitel to anyone visiting Melbourne.

We stayed on the 40th floor overlooking Melbourne. Trams outside the front entrance. Staff are courteous and cannot help you enough. Internet access in rooms and private room near Reception. Room service immediate. Want to go there again. Staff treat guests with a lot of respect. Environment relaxed and top class rooms.