Wow, how sad. I had previously stayed at this motel, and it was exceptional value for money. How things change. I'm in Melbourne due to my daughter being in the Austin Hospital. I am currently on crutches following knee surgery. On arrival, I found a park (no disabled parking), I checked in as i was aware you could not check in past 7pm, was given a key and directions that my room was down the hall, l put my stuff in the room, and went straight to the hospital, arriving back at 8pm. Arrived to find no towels or facewashers in my room, just 2 bath mats. There were no instructions on how anything worked. There is no reception to get towels. Just a bed, shower, microwave, dunny, and kettle. Next morning, I had to leave early at 8am. Again, there is no reception. Left a note advising that there were no towels, facewashers, etc, in the room and requesting the password for the WiFi. Got back again at 8pm to the ROOM TOTALLY UNTOUCHED, NOT CLEANED, NO TOWELS, NO BED MADE NOTHING! And NO RECEPTION to have anything changed. Again, I have to use a bathmat after a shower. This morning, I go to check out at 8am NO RECEPTION! At 8.15, reception opens, l advise the young lady of my experience to which she apologised. All in all, if you are after a bed (hard as a rock), a shower with no towels, noisy air-conditioning, a toilet, kettle, microwave, instant coffee and tea, cup, and teaspoon, are used to lots of road noise, like to be woken in the middle of the night by other guests talking in the corridor, not in need of a disabled park, can handle stairs, have no instructions on how to use anything, have hidden light switches, have very unkempt outside areas, then the Bell Motel is for you. This is just really sad. Be aware. Ps. On the morning of check out, whilst waiting for the 8am reception to arrive at 8.15, I noticed a QR code on the back of the key. When scanned, this opens a compendium that does have the WiFi password. It also states that the room will be cleaned and replenished daily. It also has a range of terms and conditions that the booking website did not have. I really hope that this place can return to what it was last time I visited, reception that was available during the advertised hours, information on how to get things out of hours (such as towels), the basic breaky which was excellent, comfortable beds, rooms cleaned as expected and...towels. Best of luck when booking.
Was a lovely place to stay. Will definitely stay there again when visiting Melbourne. Clean , staff were lovely , security parking . Easy access to local coffee shops. Highly Recommended
The room is decent good linen , water pressure on L1 is weak , No soap , No shampoo, none,
No Toilet brush you cant clean have to wait till the cleaner comes to clean your room they do it for you
Noisy
This place is so beautiful it’s difficult to comprehend the history of what was once one of Australia’s most notorious prisons as it’s now been fully renovated into this amazing hotel. Everything about it so aesthetically pleasing. The converted cells that are now suites with all the mod cons. The basement now an incredible pool along with common areas becoming a fabulous wine bars with old cells now booths to have an intimate dining experience. The staff are wonderfull. Big shout of to the lovely Maddi who was our designated host, and also hosted an additional add on called Place of Time, were you sit outside in the old exercise yard and sip red wine, eat yummy cheeses whilst she goes through the history of the prison and the surrounding areas. Food was delicious in the wine bar and cocktails yummy. We had a bit of an accidental overcharge but Natasha on the front desk sorted everything out admirably and promptly. The staff are all so friendly and appear to genuinely love their jobs. We’d definitely love the chance to come back soon. Thank you.