Two years ago, my friend and I decided to have a girls' weekend in Melbourne - she travelled from Queensland and I from Perth, WA. The photographs of the Adelphi on the internet looked appealing and someone had told us about the unique overhanging pool so we thought we'd book it - although it was quite pricey. What a rip-off!!! The twin room had all the charm of a prison cell. It's very well for the management to bang on about the 'minimalism' of the decor - but does this also encompass tatty and cheap? Yes, clean right angles and lots of grey - but the furniture is cheap and nasty. The bathroom had no ventilation or extractor fan so steam and smells lingered - not to mention the flimsy wall provided no privacy or protection from unpleasant bathroom sounds. It was a twin room - but coffee for only one person was provided in the room. You had to pay for the bottled water - which is extraordinary considering the cost of the room. The famous pool was shabby, grubby and neglected. The staff were clueless. We had a glass of wine in the charmless (yes... yes... I know... it's minimalist) bar one evening. The first glass was served and then the barman just disappeared, never to be seen again. On Sunday morning the lift stopped functioning. Everyone trying to head downstairs on the Sunday morning had the experience of waiting and waiting for the lift - then finally realizing it was not functioning. Could the staff not have put a little sign on the lift doors on each floor? It seems an obvious courtesy. While waiting for a taxi, I watched guest after guest come to the front desk and report the lift was not working. One would imagine the staff would think of putting up a sign, just to stop every single guest reporting the same thing. As I said, clueless. So I am warning everyone: do not be deceived by the photographs on the website. This hotel is grossly over-priced and suffers from delusions of luxury. I have only just started posting reviews on Tripadvisor, which is why this report dates from 2010. But you can understand how disappointed the experience was, given I am still able to write about it with such intensity two years later.

Stayed at the Adelphi in Melbourne. The lighting in the bathroom was so poor my wife had to apply her makeup by "braille". I had the same experience when trying to shave. It was like someone had cut the power to the bathroom and we were having to use birthday candles. The rest of the stay was good. Clean room, comfortable bed and friendly staff.

Agree with all the recent reviews below, they are all accurate and realistic. The Adelphi was hip in its day, which was the early 1990's but now it is run down. It has lost it's edge, along with the original concept. In addition to other guest's informative comments, note you will be charged $100 bond per night for room incidentals which will accumulate over your stay, that means stay 4 nights and you will carry a $400 credit card transaction for the duration until it is reversed days later. That is steep! Items were not replaced in the room, soap, long life milk, shower caps etc which was probably why I was accused of consuming BBQ Shapes despite not partaking of the mini bar. Lights not working in the black lined cupboard interiors meant challenging wardrobe and mini bar coffee experiences. Also needs a technology upgrade for the C21st. The location is good but it is poor value and not up to scratch for a boutique hotel. Lost its way!

Needs a revamp. Tired... Would have been great back when it opened. Staff are friendly and helpful. Great location. Close to lots of great paces to eat although we never managed to get into chin chin. Great little coffee shop near chapter house with funky staff. Stay again ? Probably not... Too expensive for what you get although location is tops.