Pros: Pretty clean, very quiet. Comfortable beds. Complete kitchen (a lot of apartments like this don't have real ovens, only microwaves - there was a hob, oven, microwave, fridge), decent heater, small outdoor space so you could eat outside if the weather cooperated. The staff were friendly and helpful at reception. Basically the apartment delivered pretty much all that was promised.

The neighbourhood itself is a really good base for exploring Melbourne, you're 5 minutes by foot from the train and trams, as well as shops etc on Toorak.

Cons: Some of the cleaning in the bathroom wasn't great (hairs in corners, a bit of mould in the shower etc), I would have liked to have a better selection of TV channels (we were traveling with our young son - this means you're actually in the room evenings), the broadband internet was annoying on two fronts: the supplied cable meant that you HAD to use it on the kitchen table and the speeds were near dialup a lot of the time.

We have stayed in the Apartments of South Yarra three times over the past three years.The fact that we keep returning should tell you something!
The location is really good with tram and train access very close by. The apartments themselves are situated in a quiet street between Torak Road and Chapel Street, two of the area's most vibrant thoroughfares. Supermarkets, specialist foodstores and the excellent Parahan Market are all nearby.
The cooking faciliities are more than adequate and there are TVs, DVD players and radio/CD players provided.
The apartments are administered by the staff at the Claremont Hotel, five minutes walk away on the Toorak Road. They are helpful, friendly and efficient, acting promptly to ensure the happiness of their customers.
We can recommend The Apartments of South Yarra to anyone who wants clean, unfussy, safe accommodation at a decent price in a really good central location.

We stayed one week at this property during an extended visit throughout Australia. The location was great: 10 min. walk to train, 3 min. walk to a tram; and Melbourne transit was easy to sort out. There was some noise from the nearby train tracks, but not unpleasant for us.
Laundry facilities were clean and included a secure outdoor drying area. The kitchen would suffice for an extended stay, and nearby shops could provide anything else we needed. Any issues with housekeeping or cleanliness were quickly addressed by management. I was disappointed that the advertised free internet was not available for my own computer, which uses wireless only.
The ensuite bath was truly ensuite, not "in suite". Access to the toilet is via the bedroom, not the sitting room, so could be a bit awkward if a couple is traveling with a single.
The immediate neighborhood is residential/holiday accommodation, with shops and restaurants within a 3 min. walk. The surrounding commerce district includes fashion shops, restaurants and bars, and remains vibrant late into the night.
Check-in and guest services are located a 10 minute walk from the actual apartment, in the associated Hotel Claremont. The staff are very helpful, and the office staffed at all hours (reception closed during meal breaks).
I would stay again when looking for a low-budget self-contained lodging.

My boyfriend and I spent two weeks at the South Yarra apartments after arriving in Melbourne and needing a home away from home while we looked for an apartment (we are in Melbourne for a year). The online booking for the first few days was a breeze, and the rate was great for the area (South Yarra is quite trendy and posh). We picked up the keys at the Guest House basically one block away, and we were greeted with smiles and great service. The apartments are one quiet block off Chapel Street, which is bustling with shops and cafes, etc. The apartments look basic and simple from the outside, but once we walked n our apt, we were totally impressed. Full kitchen, small and compact but very modern and updates, with everything you need. I found the apt white, bright, tidy and smart. I'm picky and don't like dirt - these apartments are very, very clean. Nice white sheets, clean, bright bathroom, etc. Internet included, some basic channels on the TV, a DVD player, etc. Not much of a view (sort of a residential area). Was so nice to be able to come back to a home vs a hotel feel. We ended up needing to stay more days as we stressfully searched for a permanent home, and the front desk was helpful and happy to keep us in our room and move a few others around so we could stay longer. When the internet went down one weekend, they offered us free computer time over at the guest house. There's also a free parking spot they give you if you have a car.

I would absolutely stay here again, and would recommend these apts to anyone. They are not huge, but everything you need, with modern furnishings (very IKEA feel). You're close to everything you need too, without the mass scale of a crowded hotel with huge hallways and elevators. I thought the service was wonderful and helpful and they made our initiation to Melbourne lovely! A great find.