Hotel Aura on Flinders Serviced Apartments (Melbourne, Australia)

The apartments contain an impressive range of kitchen equipment for the self catering guest. When they say 'self' catering, that's what they mean. You can move in here and start cooking.

In addition to being well equipped, apartments are in good order, pleasantly furnished and decorated - and cleaned regularly. The apartments are in a great CBD location too and many have stunning city views. They are also within the free tram zone and close to Southern Cross. Staff here are very friendly and welcoming. They'll go out of there way to help you find your way around the city and .. any problems or queries regarding the apartment and how things work; just ask!

The gym is a nice communal bonus and is well fitted out.

There's no phone in the apartment. You have to go to reception. How strange is that; in a business district and appealing to commercial guests - there's no phone? There are very few pots 'n pans in the kitchen and they don't replenish teas and coffees on a daily basis.

Wi-Fi is another negative surprise here. Given the business guests they are aiming for, it should much better than this!

Towels are a bit suspect with stains etc; and the cleaners seem to have quite a few 'days off' because apartments can go for days without being touched. Staff are slow to react in solving problems and all in all, it's somewhat over-priced for what it is.