Nice except for size and noise

I stayed at the stamford plaza over the weekend with my family and was a little disappointed. Our suite had 2 bedrooms and the second bedroom was so small that I had to crawl over the bed to get in and out. The stamford is also dirictly behind a very ugly and noisy construction site, which starts at 7.00 am in the morning including Sat and Sun. So be aware.

Gradually fading, but still one of the better choices

Over the years I've stayed at this hotel about 12 times, just returning today from another visit there. I do stay at other hotels in Melbourne too.

About 7-8 years ago this was really a great choice. I love having a decent lounge/kitchen when I'm on a visit of more than a couple of days, and every room in the Stamford is a mini-suite. There are sliding doors to the bedroom so you can hide your bed away and have meetings in your suite - very civilised.

However, it is beginning to look faded. The rooms do need renovation. The bathrooms are laughably small and although they do have a spa bath they're not particularly inviting.

The other reason to stay there is the location. The Spring St end of Collins St is the best area in the centre of the city to stay and all about you have good shopping and bars/cafes/restaurants. Don't worry that the hotel restaurants are pretty ordinary, why would you eat there anyway ?

Personally, I still like it, but there are other very good alternatives. If you get a good rate on the internet (as I usually do) you certainly won't feel robbed.

Very unprofessional and under trained staff.

I recently stayed at Stamford Plaza with a group of friends for New Years eve. When we first arrived we were very happy with the hotel room, very nice furnishing and a good sized room. Was vry diappointed to find after getting out of the shower that there was no hairdryer in the room as stated, had to wait 2 hours for one to brought up to the room.

The lifts in the hotel were operating very slowly, had to wait around 10 minutes or more everytime you wanted to use a lift and then after our night out returned back to the hotel only to get stuck in the lift between two floors for 90 minutes. Staff were very unhelpful and found it quite amusing actually. Did not once asked if we were ok and only informed us that someone had been called by a holding up a sign that we could been seen as it was a glass lift. Very unprofessional staff considering it's supposed to be a 5 star hotel, you could get better service from McDonalds. Spoke to Asst manager at hotel and I couldn't say that he was much better than his staff. I have requested full refund and am waiting on a phone call from the General Manager now. Would not recommend this place to anyone.

No class...

My husband and I stayed at the Stamford in June 2004. For an advertised 5 star hotel we were expecting something with a bit more style and excellence! We found the room to be cluttered with big lamps, out dated furniture and wall hangings. The kitchen was barely a kitchen at all as we had to share some plates and cutlery between us during breakfast.

The Spa bath sounded great but it was ancient and noisey. Also there was no Foxtel (cable TV), which could prove to be an annoyance if you go during league season...

Friendly and comfortable hotel

once or twice a year my husband and I have a weekend in the city, to see a show, have dinner and explore new places etc. this was our first visit at the stamford, which we found to be friendly, first rate accommodation, staff who were genuinely courteous, especially the staff at Harrys bar and restaurant!!! we will definitely be back, and have no problem in recommending the stamford to others.

we stayed 16/7/04.

Highly unrecommended. Staff has a lot to learn

Highly unrecommended. Now there's an interesting story for you.

My wife and I booked 3 nights in this hotel in August 2003. Our booking specifically stated EARLY MORNING CHECK IN.

After a 30+ hour flight, we arrived at the hotel at 7:30 in the morning. No, our room is not ready. No, there is no alternative room for us. No, we'll have to wait until the cleaning ladies finish.

The lobby was freezing cold. Hours went by, we were exhausted, cold and tired but that didn't seem to bother the reception staff too much. We moved to the other lobby across the lane where at least it was warmer. We fell asleep on the floor like dogs.

Only got our room around lunchtime.

Room was okay inside but the windows were of the non-openable type. Want some fresh air ? Uh-oh. Tough luck.

To conclude: the best hotel in the world is not much good if they let you sleep on the floor. There is never such a thing as a hotel without a spare room. There is always a room available which they keep for unexpected needs (a geust's room flooded, the Queen unexpectedly arrives, etc.). I guess our needs were not really important.

We wouldn't mind if they told us from the start they do not have room for us at 7:30. But they took our money first and told us it can't be done only when we arrived.

Highly recommended only if you are happy with a hotel that doesn't try harder.

Consistently Excellent

I've stayed in the excellent Stamford Plaza hotel in Melbourne on several occasions suring 2003 and 2004. I have to say that it has been excellent on each occasion. The rooms are very well decorated and the facilities (including the pool and spa) are very good indeed. Room service has always been on time, is relatively competitive price wise and the menu is good. Staff have always been very efficient and helpful. I have no hesistation in recommending this hotel to my colleagues and friends.

Excellent value during Aus. Open 2002

I stayed there during the Aus. summer, specifically for the first week of the Aus. Open, when demand is probably highest. The location is excellent (within walking distance to Rod Laver Arena, and close to everything downtown), the rooms are very modern and moderately luxurious, the price was more than fair for a studio including breakfast (and with great exchange rates at that time, dirt cheap). The breakfasts (can be served in your room; you can choose from room service, e.g., eggs, bacon, etc.) were huge but the quality of cooking was not excellent. Service was ok but not gracious (in contrast to the Hotel Intercontinental Sydney, for example). I would definitely stay there again.

Excellent Hotel

Excellent service. Great Location. Close to all the Melbourne attractions. Very spacious rooms. Highly Recommended.

Best break ever!

Every November (except for 2002) my girlfriend & I get away to Melbourne for a 4 night weekend. We always stay at the Stamford plaza.

We arrive Friday, Friday night we go to The Purple Onion jazz bar in Flinders Lane. Saturday is the shopping bus tour, Staurday night is the Casino. Sunday is Queen Victoria Markets, Sunday night is theatre night. Monday is Fitzroy/St.Kilda/city shopping. Monday night is dinner in Lygon Street. Tuesday we grab whatever shopping we forgot or over looked & then fly home. We get all our Xmas shopping, personal shopping, meals & accomodation for under $2,000 each. Add up what you spend on Xmas each year & you'll be shocked. We love it so much we do it every year.