There's nothing good about this place. Dirty, smelly, tired, uncomfortable and totally lacking in privacy. Listed as "executive" accommodation we walked in and were instantly depressed by how shabby and poorly furnished it was. On opening the dirty curtains and seeing a block of apartments opposite staring straight into the full space we just wanted to get out immediately. Just avoid this place!

When I arrived from the airport, I noticed a peculiar smell on the stairs as I approached my apartment on the top floor. It smelt like strong, sweet talcum powder trying to cover up something very unpleasant. The apartment was functional but the bathroom was mouldy and very grubby. The bed was clean and there were a couple of free standing, electric heaters which I used frequently during my stay to try to bring a little cheer to this very disappointing and depressing place. I dread to think how anyone would cope with staying here if they were feeling a bit down. On the plus side, I have to say that I reported a faulty wall heater and it was replaced within a couple of hours. This place is not cheap...I swopped to a hotel in Chapel Street which was a 200% improvement and it was cheaper. I had read good reviews about the Darling Towers apartments but I was very disappointed with what I experienced. They must be surviving on past glory and have given up or changed hands.

Got a cheap rate for a "4 star" apartment at 43 Caroline St but was wary because you do tend to get what you pay for. First impressions driving in to the car park confirmed not to expect much. The thing is though, while most of us can put up with a few problems, there were so many issues with this place that I remain amazed it is still in business. The smell was the first thing I noticed inside - a strange but potent mix of over zealous cleaning product and mustiness. Turned out there were two open containers of industrial strength deodoriser gel (the label said so!) in the place which lingered even after I capped them. Then there was the hole in the lino on the floor of the kitchen, very dirty venetian blinds on the top side (the other side did appear to have been cleaned recently), dirty oven, the refrigerator thermostat was on the blink (either barely cold or freezing the milk), the one frypan once was non stick but had virtually no surface left on it, the carpet was very worn and seemed dodgy enough that I never walked on it in bare feet, the iron had significant burnt patches on the bottom, the shower glass sealant was mouldy, the inside of the window frames were flaking paint, and finally the view of the carpark from the lounge couldn’t be screened for privacy in the daytime (it was either full curtains or nothing). Yes, it did have the advertised large screen LCD TV. And the kitchen did look like it had been updated in recent years. But nothing could save this place from itself.

Like a previous reviewer we also found that the unit could do with a good scrub. The window blinds and windowsills were black with dirt and the windows themselves needed a good clean. Other than that the benches, bathroom, etc were OK.

The light above the bedroom mirror wasn't working nor was the power point so not only did I have to use the dimly lit bathroom mirror I wasn't able to use my hairdryer by a mirror.

We informed the reception of these problems but they took three days to send someone around to have a look. They then offered us another unit further up the road but even though that was supposed to be a superior unit it was very dark and gloomy due to the trees right outside the main windows. It was also on the third floor, reached by an outside staircase and further away from public transport so we decided to stay where we were.

We were told that our unit could not be properly cleaned whilst occupied so we had to put up with it during our stay. I guess you get what you pay for after all.