Hotel Enterprize (44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC)
Organising decent holiday accommodation on a budget can be difficult if you make a decision purely from glancing at the pictures on their website. Unfortunately the pictures looked far better for the Hotel Enterprize in Melbourne, Victoria.
To avoid unnecessary excitement for Star Trek fans, no the hotel is not shaped like a star ship and unfortunately is not related to Star Trek in anyway.
After a $50 cab fare from the Melbourne airport, we checked into the hotel. An elderly gentleman greeted us and handed us an actual key (interesting, as we would usually expect a swipe card). We opened the door expecting a moderately sized room with plenty of walking space. I immediately felt boxed in. We were greeted with a shoe box size room with no balcony and fixed frosted glass windows, meaning the only air source came from the air-conditioning. There was no study desk or comfy chairs, and the built in chest of draws were definitely showing age. The bed was only just acceptable, with the thin weathered bed cover in desperate need of throwing out.
It was obvious that the hotel has recently undergone major renovations, however only the bathroom had undergone the upgrade in our room. Unfortunately the ultra water saving shower head in the shower generated mist rather than a free flowing stream. The hot water from the basin was only just warm. In order to shower without freezing, we had to wrap a face washer over the showerhead.
The room was serviced daily to an acceptable level, however I do have to point out the lack of environmentally friendly practices. The towels were replaced daily, regardless if you put them back on the rack or placed them in the shower. The hand soap was also replaced daily, with the old soap strangely placed in the toilet bowl.
The American breakfast included bacon and eggs, a small selection of pastries, fruit and cereal. The percolated coffee left much to be desired. Unfortunately the breakfast staff were not overly customer focused, as they appeared more interested in watching the plasma television rather than providing a warm and friendly environment.
Perhaps it was just a case of bad luck after receiving a less than satisfactory room. Depite our gripes about the accommodation, we still enjoyed our Melbourne holiday. If you spend more time exploring the city rather than relaxing in your hotel room, Hotel Enterprize may be appealing for you. It is conveniently located across the road from the Southern Cross train station, and well positioned for appreciating the best coffee and shopping that Melbourne has to offer. If you require a pleasant environment in order to unwind and relax, pay a few extra dollars and stay somewhere else.
Quick info…
Rating: 4/10
Website: www.hotelenterprize.com.au
Date of experience: 19/06/2009