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Grand Chancellor Melbourne: Traveller Reviews

4.0 of 5
131 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Hotel amenities
Grand Chancellor Melbourne
Ranked #149 of 200 accommodation in Melbourne
2.5 of 5 stars 237 Reviews
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237 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Star hotel(5)
  • Buffet breakfast(5)
  • Superior room(4)
  • Very pleasant(3)
  • Great value(3)
  • Desk staff(3)
  • Common area(3)
Traveller rating
    18
    55
    54
    62
    48
Only show reviews for Family (11) | Couples (104) | Business (46)
Date Rating
Brisbane, Australia
1 review
“This hotel DOES NOT warrant 4 stars”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 February 2012

Terrible experience already - checked in 15 mins ago intending to stay for a week but received a call saying I had to be back in Brisbane urgently in 3 days time. The unhelpful manager would not allow us to cancel our booking for the rest of the days as apparently we received a "non-refundable" rate. Now that I am already here, the hotel is way way below a 4 star standard hotel.

Received average service from the guys at reception. Rooms look average contrary to what is advertised on the internet. Disgusting bathroom and the views that you get are nothing more than back of a highrise building. My "balcony" consisted of 2 mitsubishi air-con compressors and a poor locking mechanism. Musty smell in rooms and average bed. Hotel decor outdated throughout. This hotel needs to get refurbished ASAP and the manager possibly needs to get enrolled in a few customer service related courses.

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled with family
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 1 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
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Ask fad12 about Grand Chancellor Melbourne
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hgcmelbourne, Manager at Grand Chancellor Melbourne, responded to this review
20 February 2012
Dear Fad12,
Thank you for taking the time to post a review of Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne, and I am sorry to read of your disappointment with the products and service.
Firstly, in regards to your cancellation request, the duty manager was correct in not allowing you to cancel your remaining nights as you had booked on a non-refundable "Stay 5 and Save" rate. If a guest has booked on a non-refundable rate then the hotel reserves the right to refuse cancellation and refund, as per the terms and conditions of the reservation. Although this may have been inconvenient to you, as your situation changed, I would suggest in future you reserve a flexible rate to ensure you are able to cancel or change your reservation. In this case, if you had booked on a flexible rate, we would have been more than happy to alter the reservation to suit your requirements.
In regards to the condition of the room, the room type you reserved was the entry level standard room which was why you were able to secure such a low rate. We do not advertise these rooms as having a view due to the location of the buildings around us, a scenario the hotel can do nothing about. I have personally inspected Rm. 301 in which you stayed and could not detect the musty smell you described and found the room to be clean and in good order, including the bathroom.
I note your comments about the requirement for refurbishment and am pleased to inform you that the hotel is about to commence a comprehensive refurbishment of these rooms. Last year that room received new air conditioning, a new ceiling and repainting. This year we will continue the refurbishment program with replacement of bedding and furnishings which we believe will further enhance the look and feel of the room environment, and resolve many of the issues you may have felt during your brief stay with us.
Thank you again for your feedback and review, and once again my apologies for us not being able to make your stay more comfortable.
Kind Regards,
Michael Smeeton
Executive Assistant Manager
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Albury, Australia
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
“Reasonable, but not 4 star”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 February 2012

I stayed at the Grand Chancellor for three nights on a business trip. The room was comfortable, but the decor throughout the hotel was dated (particularly in the bathroom).

The Grand Chancellor is in a good location in the Melbourne CBD. The Staff at reception were efficient and friendly and the buffet breakfast was decent. As a three star hotel it would be perfectly acceptable, but the overall quality does not warrant 4 stars.

  • Stayed February 2012
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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See 3 more reviews by Hamish09 for Melbourne
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hgcmelbourne, Manager at Grand Chancellor Melbourne, responded to this review
20 February 2012
Dear Hamish,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent stay at Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne.
I am glad to read that overall you found your stay to be satisfactory and you found that our staff provided you with good levels of guest service, something we as a hotel pride ourselves on.
Although I am unable to find a corresponding reservation to your review time and username, I am concerned as to your comments regarding the star rating of the hotel. Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne does not "self rate" like some hotels in the marketplace, and is independently scored as a 4 star hotel by AAA Tourism.
The hotel is continually working on improving the quality of its room environment, and in the last 12 months has installed new air conditioning, new ceilings and lighting, and repainted every room in the hotel. In the next 6 months we will continue this refurbishment by replacing furniture and bedding in the rooms to ensure the experience of staying at Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne is a comfortable and pleasant one.
Once again thank you for taking the time to write your review.
Kind Regards,
Michael Smeeton
Executive Assistant Manager
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Auckland
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Below par...”
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 February 2012

A single night stay only thank goodness - this is definitely not a 4star hotel standard. Street location was central but on a smelly road...steps up and no concierge to help with bags. Tired entrance way and tired looking receptionist who did fine but nothing more. Past the 1980s, sad looking breakfast room and upto my room...faced out to a concrete highrise wall and a balcony with a generator. Thin mattress, uncomfortable bed, grubby bathroom.

To make matters worse, just as I was about to get into bed the fire alarm went off so got to experience the fire escape and all the dirty backstreets (not the hotels fault) and then back in through the front door with no apology, explanation etc.

Room Tip: Don't choose a room in this hotel - go to Punthill down the road
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled on business
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
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See 4 more reviews by Lynds1109 for Melbourne
Ask Lynds1109 about Grand Chancellor Melbourne
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
hgcmelbourne, Manager at Grand Chancellor Melbourne, responded to this review
20 February 2012
Dear Lynds1109,
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent stay at Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne.
Your stay experience seems to have been disappointing, from both the tone and content of your review and I am sorry that we did not meet your expectations.
The hotel is independently rated as 4 stars by AAA Tourism and as a result does not require porter or concierge service, a service we do not advertise as offering.

Your comments regarding the decoration of the hotel are noted, and I am sorry that it is not more to your taste and liking.

In regards to the fire alarm going off, this was caused by burnt cooking in an apartment in the adjacent apartments complex (the hotel and apartments share the same fire panel). Although I understand the inconvenience of this alarm, there was never a request to evacuate the hotel, as the matter was quickly investigated and found to be a false alarm. Unfortunately the hotel staff are unable to switch off the fire alarm by law, as they have to wait for the fire brigade to attend and confirm all is safe before it is done so.

Once again thank you for your review.
Kind Regards,
Michael Smeeton
Executive Assistant Manager
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“Pleasantly surprised”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 February 2012

Booked through Wotif and got a discounted rate for a standard room. Yes, it was not very modern, but old carpet doesn't matter to me. I don't go on holidays to stay in my hotel room. It was clean, the bathroom was clean, and the bed was good too. The best feature about the hotel was the rooftop pool! We had fantastic weather, so we made good use of the pool. Buffet breakfast had a lot of variety, and for $17 I thought this was reasonable for a buffet - you would pay the same at a cafe for breakfast with a coffee. The hotel is in a prime location! We walked everywhere and weren't more than 1.5kms away from anything! Especially good if you visit during chinese new year.. the festivities are right on your door step! Definitely would stay again.

Room Tip: If you worry about what your hotel room looks like, pay a little extra and go for an executive suite...
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  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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See 2 more reviews by Miss_Bee7 for Melbourne
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Melbourne, Australia
2 reviews
“Enjoyable stay”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 January 2012

I stayed with a friend overnight and it suited our purposes very well! Upon arrival we were given a complimentary upgrade from the executive to a superior bedroom. Large and spacious. They had some problems with water and unfortunately our toilet would not flush - but the staff were quick to respond to this problem, and we were given another upgrade to the top floor for a room with a spa. We stayed Friday night and it happened to be seafood night - $49 for a seafood platter for two combined with a delicious cocktail of the month for $10, which was superb! Next morning we went with their buffet breakfast for only $17. $20 on site parking. Very impressed with the friendly staff who were always there to help!

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with friends
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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Ask J8412 about Grand Chancellor Melbourne
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Additional Information about Grand Chancellor Melbourne

  • Grand Chancellor Hotel Melbourne
  • Melbourne Grand Chancellor Hotel
Address: 131 Lonsdale St., Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
Price range (per night):* 116 AUD - 203 AUD

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