Once upon a time the Rydges was a comfy family friendly hotel rated 4.5 stars. (no way) As a Farmers Federation member we would get a great discount and head to the city for the football theatre or shopping and Rydges on Exhibition was our home away from home. It was an institution for country folk. We were booked in for 3 nights in a Queen Spa for 4 and ended up changing on the last night to the Windsor our stay was that horrible. Previously we had stayed in a King Deluxe (despite booking the Queen Spa) during the renovations. That stay was pretty miserable but we put it down to the renovations. Where do I start? The windows no longer open. Although the beds are new they are lumpy. Two bathtowels for 4 people. Mould in the shower. Toilet flush button was hit and miss. Broken lampshade. Tired decoration so soon after renovation. Had to have housekeeping come up with linen and make up the sofa bed. First day waited 20 minutes for a coffee at breakfast, 2nd day 30 minutes. Dinner in the restaurant is overpriced. Ordered the duck it was overdone and was not offered another dish and still had to pay for it. If you smoke, forget Rydges, the only rooms available to you are way up on the 10th floor and just standard rooms. Or you have the choice of taking 2 lifts to get to the swimming pool or stand on the street to smoke. On checkout at least 6 groups trying to check out with one receptionist. The responses from management are a cop out. Just because you have changed the beds and given them a name does not mean they're fantastic. The renovation is not a full renovation either. A change of soft furnishings and partial change of furniture does not make a full renovation. Management needs to take on board the bad reviews and improve. Not defend the bad comments with excuses or quote that the majority of travellers enjoyed their Rydges experience. Thats what a good business does.

Upon arrival to the hotel, the place wasn't the easiest to find for our taxi driver coming from the airport, but that's another story. Finally arrived, check-in was smooth. My wife had signed me up for a priority card (Frequent guest program) and in turn the front desk programs your frequent guest card to act as your room key. The room was large enough to have a king bed, a desk, Sofa/Sofabed coffee table and still have plenty of room to move around in. We faced the alley, which you would think is no big deal (Read on). Since it was late we fell asleep and then at 5.00a (or some ungodly hour) we were nicely woken up by the lovely sound of garbage trucks dumping the dumpsters in the alley. It sounded like bottles. I wear ear plugs and I could hear this thru the ear plugs. I'm not sure if the street side rooms would be better or not. The bathroom, what can be said about that... if you have ever been on a cruise ship, then you will understand this comment. The bathroom (albeit has a tub) was about the same size as a bathroom on a cruise ship. If you are sitting on the toilet, you can close the door but only if you lift your feet onto the toilet seat. My only other gripe about the bathroom was that the shower head was placed at the height for a person under 5 foot 2 inches. Which worked well for my wife, but meant I had to practically get on my knees and I'm 5-10 (pretty much average height). If you are planning on staying, make sure that you sign up for the frequent guest services, this will give you 1/2 of the internet price, and at $25/day, the $12.50 is a much better price. Even though I think that the hotels can provide this for guests for free, but that's just my $0.02 worth. I'm sure that the frequent guest card gave us other benefits, but I wasn't paying that much attention after arriving late at night. Overall it was a decent hotel, it was clean. The room could have been maintained a bit better as there were some small issues with doors that jammed - but not big enough issues to report them to the front desk. Staff were very friendly and helpful.

First up, dinner experience at Laconda was pretty good, the food and service very good. The foyer is OK but who cares about foyers. The corridors smelt like those old banks, but who cares about the corridors. The room is average - at best. The mattrreses are shocking, it's like they stuffed marshmallows into the top layer. You just sink into it and consequently my wife woke with a sore back (and she is thinly framed). Tried to change rooms but Reception advised that all rooms used the same mattress. So we were going to look for different accommodation, but we turned the mattress over. This particular room faced out to a side alley so guests in other rooms may not have experienced the 4am and 6.30am wake up calls from the local rubbish trucks clearing rubbish and bottles. The sound of hundreds of bottles sliding down into a truck is like chalk down a blackboard on a good day. It was as if the truck was in the room with us and we were on the 5th floor. But who cares about sleep! And this room was provided to a Rydges priority guest, but I'm guessing all the guests are priority guests as sign up is free. So if you don't care about being comfortable or asleep, this is the place for you, or more specifically, this side of the building. I'm sure hotel management will suggest most people are happy at our hotel and that you apologise for my experience. Are you sorry enough to give me a refund? If not your words mean little. btw - the location is pretty good, theatre district, china town, bourke street mall all within easy reach.

I have just got back from a 3 night stay at Rydges Melbourne. We thought the hotel was pretty average and not really worth the price we payed to stay in a 4 star hotel. Pros: Good location and comfortable bed Cons: 1.Lifts take ages, waited 5 -10 minutes for a lift on average over our stay. 2.Room is very average for the price. 3.Can't sit straight on the toilet, have to side to the side because is behind the door. 4.Left room at 9am one morning, left the please clean room sign on the door, returned at 5pm and room had not been cleaned. Housekeeping room was across the hall so we got ourselves clean towels and the room was not cleaned at all that day or night. Also we are waiting to hear back from our credit card company as we think we have been charged twice for our stay there. We wouldn't stay there again when we go to Melbourne, there are plenty other cheaper places that would have the same quality rooms.

I was pleasantly surprised with my stay at Rydges Melbourne. Having stayed at this property many years ago I was already aware of the size of the small size of the standard rooms, including the bathroom. It was perfectly adequate for one person on business. My room was nicely furnished and the queen bed extremely comfortable. Loved the dreambed. The reception staff were helpful and checking in and out was smooth. I will definitely stay here again when in Melbourne on business.