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Menso at South Bank is a 4-star apartment style hotel in the heart of South Brisbane. This modern boutique hotel has studio rooms along with 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with full sized kitchens, air conditioning, seating and/or dining area in some units, bathroom with bathrobes, flat screen TVs, washers and dryers, free Wi-Fi (all rooms) and balconies (apartments only) The kitchens are fitted with a dishwasher, oven, cooktop, fridge, toaster and coffee machine. Menso at South Bank features a rooftop infinity pool as well as a deck relaxation area with BBQ area with tables and chairs. The property also has a small fitness room along with free use of bicycles. There is undercover secure car parking for our guests - a daily charge applies We are located within 5 minutes walk from South Bank Parklands - with QPAC, Queensland Museum, GOMA, Little Stanley Street's cosmopolitan strip of restaurants, bars and boutiques. Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital is a short stroll away
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Modern
Languages Spoken
English
Location
68 Cordelia St, Brisbane, Queensland 4101 Australia
Menso at Southbank
145 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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We stayed for 6 nights. Our key issue was that the building has several electrical and plumbing issues and is potentially dangerous. Bathroom smelt like sewerage, bathroom flooded whenever shower used. Concerningly, the electrical room on our floor was noticeably flooding when it rained briefly for one day, with a large puddle water leaking through bottom of the door. We notified reception who just said “yeah the owner knows about it, it’s not dangerous, we’ll the puddle” which they didn’t. Electrical faults with elevator. First day we couldn’t access room all day due to elevator not working - apparently caused by electric glitch/interference from intercom at front entrance. Sign placed over intercom saying don’t use or elevator won’t work. We weren’t offered anything to make up for not being able to access room (were told we could sit in the closed bar/lounge, not even offered water or free coffee etc. Car parking was advertised - there is limited parking and if spot available it costs $30 per night extra. Then the boom gate stopped working anyway (more electrical faults). Coffee machine in room was filthy and leaked water everywhere on the bench. We stayed 6 nights and the room was only cleaned/serviced once in that time. Bleach was used to mask scent of sewerage in bathroom so we returned to closed room stinking of bleach. Which soon returned to sewerage smell. We ran out of toilet paper and had to use all towels to mop up leaking bathroom each day. We were promised it would be serviced next day when we had to ask for more towels and it wasn’t. The advertised Bar/Cafe was never open during the 6 days we were there. Bathroom is not private because the door is glass. The staff are pleasant enough but have clearly heard all of these issues before and are nonchalant in response, likely because the owner doesn’t do anything about it and they can’t offer anything to make up for the poor experience.
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Date of stay: July 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I recently stayed in the 2 bedroom apartment and the positives were a huge wrap around balcony and spacious apartment. the staff were always very friendly and helpful but that is where the positives ended. Five of us rebooked a rollaway bed yet there was only plates, glasses etc for 4 so we had to ask for more. The room rate varies daily and can be a difference of a few hundred dollars. When I was told that the apartment is sometimes listed at $690 for the night (though we paid less) I was shocked. The outdoor settings are very worn and the "pleather dining seats" had to be replaced and the floor vacuumed to remove all the black vinyl that came off after sitting on them. Ofcourse it was stuck to our feet and clothing. A cheap green owl was one of the decorations. We also found the lift areas had a strange smell and awful decor. Often big bags of linen were waiting there to be collected. The lobby is tiny. The accommodation is a short walk to South Bank, up a small hill on the return. While the pictures look beautiful and upmarket, I felt the reality was disappointing and while I acknowledge peak season rates I don' appreciate booking for one rate only to check later and see the same room at a much cheaper rate a few days later. I did not see the pool area but some people in the lift described it as "cute.". I gave 3 stars because the staff were really nice and the location is handy.
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Date of stay: December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You know those themed restaurants where the staff abuse you? If you went to one of those places and want some more, this is the real deal hotel experience! I was here for one night, travelling for work. Nobody at reception, and two of us waited outside trying to work out how to check in. Finally rang the manager and what a hoot. Hilarious woman on the other end of the phone gave me vague directions to an outdoor safe box and told me to enter a code to get my room key. She was virtually yelling at me and told me I was stupid because I couldn't follow her "simple" directions. Room absolutely reeked of bleach and aircon didn't work - and the dishwasher beeped an error code all night (until I dug into the cupboard to turn it off). I basically just slept there and left the next morning quick as I could. Great themed hotel experience and would go back for more abuse as the manager's attitude was too awful to be anything but a performance. Top notch! Overall pretty awful experience but an extra star for the entertainment.
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Date of stay: January 2023Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We arrived on the Monday and checked in, only to be told there was no gym and parking was an extra $30 a night. We checked in and went to our room, which smelt like rotten eggs, I immediately complained and we were given an “upgrade” to another room. In this room the crockery was mismatched and chipped, the saucepan handle was broken and generally it was dusty, dirty and grubby. The bathroom flooded every time you had a 2minute shower. This is certainly not 4* , it would be lucky to be a 2* in Europe.
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Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Avoid at all costs
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was genuinely worried about posting this review because the owner/manager is terrifying and we only stayed one night.
My partner and I had just gotten off a cruise and arrived at around 8am way before check in time. No one was at reception so we called Suzie the manager on her mobile which was posted on the front door. Suzie informed us that she'd be there in twenty minutes.
When Suzie arrived, she informed us that her staff had quit by email the night before and she was very unimpressed she was having to work. She checked us in early and told us the room was clean. Upon arriving in our room, it seemed fairly decent from afar. On closer inspection, things were off. The toilet had a "sanitised" sticker on it, and yet when opened it was stained with faeces and vomit. We were too scared to say anything so instead we cleaned it ourselves. When going for a shower, I discovered that the shower when turned on sounds like a car alarm going off, and the complimentary shampoo was already half used.
When returning to the hotel in the afternoon, Suzie was openly drinking, and openly drunk. She gave us a free drink while lecturing us about the dangers of smoking and vaping. She again reiterated how she did not want to be working. Suzie then put her hand on my partners shoulder and back for a period of time which made him very uncomfortable.
When returning in the evening, there was a man waiting out the front of the hotel who had been buzzing and calling to check in for about ten minutes. We approached Suzie at the reception desk and heard the phones ringing, we told her there was a man outside trying to check in and asked if we should let him in. Suzie rolled her eyes and reluctantly said okay.
The gym has zero equipment, just an exercise poster and four chairs, the room is locked anyway. I'm still unsure if I'll get my security deposit back, many other reviews have indicated that she tends to keep them.
I highly recommend not staying here. It's not a terrible hotel, it's actually very pretty for what it is and in a great location but until management is sorted, I'm not sure anybody should waste their money here. Spend an extra $200 and go somewhere else.
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Room was not clean 5hrs after check in time. I was 1 of 8 rooms waiting. I thought I was polite by going for a walk and lunch while they sorted all the rooms out but was only ridiculed upon my return. Worst customer service interaction I've ever had. Was asked if I've ever traveled before and was belittled publicly. This was in the reception with half a dozen other people present. Manager then proceeded to berated the only cleaning lady in front of guests even though it's managements responsibility to schedule more cleaners during peak season. She also claimed that 'Covid isn't an actual issue'
Money is better spent literally anywhere else.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked directly with the hotel and upon arrival were given the keys to our rooms. They were not what we booked so I returned to reception. There was no attempt to solve the problem which was blamed on another booking agency overselling their rooms. I was not notified that there was going to be an issue. I was told that I could get a refund and go and find something else. This was not an option. I had to persist to eventually get one of the rooms we booked which wasted a significant amount of time for our short stay in Brisbane. The rooms were very modern and well appointed. Reception opening was 8am and when we went to checkout at 9am it was closed. Good location, nice rooms, disappointing customer service.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We booked this hotel for New Years Eve stay for 31st December 2021, We paid $702 for two one bedroom apartment's, however when checked in were given studio apartments.
The check-in staff advised me that the rooms given was preciously what was booked in. They gave a reason that it was booked via a third party website therefore the were not responsible for the type of rooms we received.
We settled in however during the late night shower in one of the rooms the shower head fell on my head and I got a bump, There was no phone numbers for housekeeping to have the shower head fixed.
The next morning I explained to the reception regarding this incident and they advised me that they will inform the owner.
We also parked our car in their limited car park which was ok however it filled quite fast.
After checkout I received a phone call that the hote room had lost a valence from the bes,which they confirmed was found as the manager was speaking about another room. The manager did not apologise nor accepted responsibilty of the broken shower head.
On 5th January I was charged $80 on my AMEX credit card < I wrote to the hotel and did not receive any reply nor I received any reply when I visited them to pick up my partners glasses which she forgot in the room.
I have authorised AMEX to investigate this charge as I did not approve nor receive any extra services or product from Menso Hotel.
The facility was close to the Southbank parkland which was only bonus for our stay otherwise this hotel is awful to say the least with a price tag of a five star facility!
This Hotel is rum by the Manager who talks very sweetly however tries to charge customers for explained services and or products.
Stay away from this place!
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Date of stay: December 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:I am not sure
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We pre booked an apartment for next year for a concert that is happening and we are coming into town. All of a sudden our booking has been cancelled with this hotel claiming they are not taking booking for next year. Yet I can go onto their website and book the same apartment I had booked at a higher rate. Disgusting service.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shower drain doesn’t work so floods the entire bathroom. Missing battery in the tv remote so not possible to watch tv. Cheap t-bags (black tea only). Fridge freezer frosted over. Very limited kitchen equipment. Apartment has a view of dozens of other apartment balconies draped with laundry, bar was never open and looked sad anyway. Mattress felt cheap and soft, ditto the pillows. Strange smell everywhere. Unappealing location. Would not recommend.
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Date of stay: September 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
You would have to ask the hotel if they have addressed these concerns. I later stayed at Mantra apartments which are much closer to Southbank and had none of these problems.
Good morning. There is a 7/11 1 block away for small items 2 minutes walk. IGA Supermarket 4 blocks away 7-8 minute walk or there is a Coles Supermarket in West End 10 - 15 minutes walk. (Coles will deliver to the Hotel). Could you possibly advise us of what time you will be arriving at the Hotel.
There is a locked box opposite the front door. You can access this box with the code 4102. There will be an envelope with your name on it and the swipe card to access the front door on the left side.
Cheers
Susan
There are more places to choose from in the Brisbane area.
PRICE RANGE
AU$167 - AU$271 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandBrisbane RegionBrisbane
NUMBER OF ROOMS
66
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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