Econo Lodge City Square

The “City Square Motel”, 67 Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria, has rated itself as a 3 Star Motel, but in my opinion, it barely warrants a one star, and its rooms certainly do not look anything like the photos that are shown on the Booking sites. I stayed in this Motel in February 2026 for 7 nights as a solo female traveler. The manager was unfriendly, grumpy, unhelpful, and rude throughout my visit. The only other staff member I encountered was a younger man who attempted to assist but was not particularly cheerful, as would be expected of Reception staff in a motel or hotel. Most of the time, the reception desk was unattended and whenever I needed assistance, I had to call a landline number obtained from a sign on the reception desk. My single room was very small, with two windows that could not be opened. Both windows faced a wall of the neighbouring building. One window housed an air-conditioning unit that also functioned as an air purifier, but this unit was so dusty and dirty that I doubted its effectiveness. There were a small round table and a single chair (which had a broken back, and which I had to place against the wall to prevent from falling backwards when I sat on it). Bathroom – the towels supplied did not include a hand towel, and I was told that they do not provide them and that the face washer was intended to serve as a hand towel. - There was no plug available for the basin despite asking for one. - The toilet paper dispenser on the wall near the toilet was empty, but 2 rolls of toilet paper were left on the shelf above the basin. - MOULD was present in the grouting behind the basin tap, in the shower recess, and at the bottom of the shower recess door. These conditions were uninviting and unsanitary. (See PHOTOS.) Appliances supplied – a MICROWAVE which was FILTHY inside with food encrusted on the internal ceiling and a non-functioning turntable. It was replaced after I complained, but even the replacement was dirty. I cleaned it myself, as I did not want to speak to reception again. - A BAR FRIDGE which was large enough for my needs and supplied with 3 tiny pots of milk. However, there was visible dirt and mould in the upper door seal which was obvious upon opening the fridge but apparently unnoticed by the cleaners. (See PHOTOS.) - The Kettle worked well but I used it on a shelf in the bathroom because there were only 2 power points on the bench under the TV which were used for the fridge and the TV. I disconnected the TV plug whenever I wanted to use the Microwave. - The TV worked well until the internet signal failed every night about 8pm, and then it was impossible to watch. Crockery supplied consisted of one cup and saucer, one breakfast bowl, 2 dinner plates, one teaspoon, and one knife. I had to request a fork and a dessert or soup spoon, which seemed an inconvenience for the manager to supply. The Smoke Detector on the ceiling was not working because there was no indicator light shining. This is illegal and contravenes council regulations. THE CARPET – DIRTY AND DUSTY. Although it was supposedly vacuumed before my arrival, it was clear that the cleaners did not understand the meaning of CLEAN. I experienced sneezing due to the dust. Behind the entry door, there was a thick wide line of dust, and it was also present along the exposed skirting boards and under the bed. The carpet generally appeared unclean. After complaining to the manager and requesting that the carpet be vacuumed, especially behind the door and along the skirting boards, I was assured that it had been done. However, I found that nothing had changed. THE DUST REMAINED UNTOUCHED. I did not bother asking for cleaning again realising that management and cleaners simply did not care. (See PHOTOS.) SECURITY INCIDENT - One night at 11.55pm, someone attempted to break into my room with a key. The perpetrator left only when I shouted, “Who’s there?” and heard them flee as the lift doors opened. I reported the incident to Reception the next morning and learned that others had experienced the same issue the previous night. I was told that the perpetrator had been taken away by Police shortly before my report, and he was identified as a homeless man who had previously stayed at the Motel and had not returned the room key. In such cases, I was told that the Motel changes the door locks, which is what prevented the perpetrator from entering my room. I enquired how this person entered the Motel, given that the entry door is locked from 5pm to 8am. Apparently, he followed another guest inside after hours. AS A SOLO FEMALE, THIS INCIDENT LEFT ME FRIGHTENED AND UNEASY FOR THE REMAINDER OF MY STAY. Management didn't seem to care. SO-CALLED LAUNDRY FACILITIES – one evening wanting to wash some clothing, the manager had to escort me to floor 7 to use a washing machine. Floor 7 seemed to be a secure area, mostly in darkness and used for storage. The WASHING MACHINE WAS IN A CLUTTERED, MESSY ROOM. When I asked for some detergent, the manager checked several bottles on an upper shelf, all of which were empty, and then he left the room angrily in order to find some, and he was speaking aggressively on his mobile phone in his own native language. He eventually returned with a sachet of detergent and told me to stay in the room until the cycle finished and then to return to my floor via the lift, which he confirmed would not be locked. THIS AREA WAS SPOOKY AND SCARY, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR GUEST LAUNDRY FACILITIES. (See PHOTOS.) To use a tumble dryer, I had to call Reception again for a code to enter a room (called the “Guest Laundry”) at the end of the corridor on my floor. Upon entering the room, I was shocked by the room’s condition – there was GRAFITTI ON THE WALLS AND THE MACHINES, THE FLOOR WAS DIRTY, AND A DETERGENT DISPENSER WAS OUT OF ORDER. Of the 3 machines in the room only the tumble dryer worked. Its filter had not been cleaned in months, but the drum looked clean enough for use. Overall, I WAS APPALLED BY THESE FACILITIES. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A MOTEL TO OFFER SUCH FILTHY AMENITIES TO GUESTS. (See PHOTOS.) If a guest had a car (seeing this is a MOTEL), the car would have to be parked in a parking station a block or so away from the Motel, and pay about A$35 a day for the privilege. FINALLY, the only positive things I can say about this Motel is its prime location on Swanston St, there were clean sheets on the bed, and the bed itself was satisfactorily comfortable. However, every other feature of this Motel was disappointing and disgusting, and I thought it was unpleasant, dirty, and in a totally unsatisfactory condition for tourists and travelers. I certainly do not recommend this Motel and I would never return to it. I have attached photographic evidence of my review.

Fled in horror and booked early flight home rather than stay there in the booked room. Shabby dingy a place for Leonard Cohen's zombie to resurrect and write depressing poetry to music. Broken air con gasping it's last (warm ) breaths mouldy shower/ bath combo and common areas that had both graffiti and dirt competing for Leonards attention. Deteriorated over the last years and now ready for the next tunnel boring project to run the whole place ove or move it to another 3rd world country

I would rate this motel with half a star If I was able to.the cleanliness of it was absolutely disgusting. The bathroom was full of mould. The toilet smelt like septic was leaking on the floor at the base of the toilet. It would be great if they knew what a vacuum cleaner was and knew how to dust the room and around the skirting boards The mattress you could feel the springs digging into your back. I would highly state never book this motel.worst experience I’ve ever had.