Garden

Reviews of Abbotsford Private Rooms & Pods @ 15 Charles Homestay

2 out of 5

Reviews

6.8
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 24 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 16 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 8 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 10 out of 72 reviews" "

6.6/10

Cleanliness

6.8/10

Staff & service

6.4/10

Amenities

6.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

5.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Marc

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hitomi

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2024

8/10 Good

Ngaio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Liked friendly and welcoming staff, cleanliness, free coffee tea and bread. Comfortable bed and communal areas. Only think to be improved is that I wasnt in receipt of the code to get in when I arrived. I didnt have a sim card so couldnt phone. I went away and emailed Frank to get it and then went back. Ideally an automatic email and text giving these details, before check out time would have been good. Overall this is my favourite accommodation place in Melbourne.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from Frank on Dec 25, 2023
Hi Ngaio, we did write to the phone number and email you registered online when you book regarding check in procedure. It is very difficult when the number you provided us cannot receive message, or if you dont check lastminute messaging platform. We had no way to contact you.

4/10 Poor

Shaun

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My windows were missing 1 half of the curtain which meant you had a natural alarm clock regardless how tired you are, but hey, cheap
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023
Response from frank on Dec 10, 2023
Thanks for feedback, the curtain issue will be fixed asap

10/10 Excellent

Harli

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a budget stay. They send you an email after booking which had me giggling that really pushed it home. They basically say you don’t pay for extra services so don’t expect them. For me, I got exactly what I paid for. I was excited to try out the capsule pod for a night and it was maybe 15mins from where I’d been earlier. Very convenient. The pods were a bit creaky but overall clean and had all the necessary bits for charging electronics. It gave me a Star Wars/Star Trek vibe and it was fun staying somewhere that looks so much like the places in Japan that I haven’t been able to go. The shower was adequate, got the job done. Decent shared kitchen. From my single night everyone seemed to be aware of each other and were as quiet as they could be. These aren’t soundproof spaces but I didn’t find it a problem. I have chronic pain and health conditions and I was in an upper capsule. I found the little ladder steps to be the easiest I’ve ever used. Very solid, easy to navigate and no foot pain from tiny rungs.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Lungile

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2023

4/10 Poor

David

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
One towel, stained and not even folded, no bed lamps, bed had no frame or bed head, just a matress and base plonked on the floor.no soap in bathroom, no amenities. For very little extra cost this room could have been so much better. Spa out odd order and dirty.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023
Response from Frank on Oct 22, 2023
Extra towel or soap can be requested. Bleach stain is not dirty stain, it was folded. spa not for public use. Bed was tidy and functional, it was for sleeping not decoration.This is a cheap homestay not a hotel dont come here with hotel expectation.

10/10 Excellent

Yunquing

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yunquing

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good place to stay and Huw the manager there is pretty nice. He does very good and tasty cooks for me. Good experience to share and will choose too for next time.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from frank on Jun 20, 2023
thanks

10/10 Excellent

Muriel

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

KELLY

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It's a homestay in the true sense of the word. The caretaker goes the extra mile and is great IT support. rooms and bathrooms are excellent. The back garden area is lovely to spend time in. Laundry and Kitchen is just like home. If you need something and can't find it, all you have to do is ask.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

4/10 Poor

Jason

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
If you're on a limited budget or everything else is booked out, then so be it. Holes in the walls, dust on all horizontal surfaces and the bed was, well, less said the better. On a positive note, however, the caretaker is a genuinely friendly gentleman who tries hard to make guests feel welcome.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Frank on Jul 22, 2022
Thanks for feedback

2/10 Terrible

Tayla

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disgustingly filthy. Awaiting refund and did not feel safe
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay

Stayed 1 night in May 2022

6/10 Okay

Hugo

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
You get what you pay for. Cheap place to stay but don't expect a super comfy bed or much privacy and quiet. Fairly priced and convenient for a one night stay near Melbourne's attractions
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022

2/10 Terrible

Sonya

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stay away! This place is nothing at all like the pictures! It was so dirty and we felt too uncomfortable to stay there. It was terrible, we left 5 minutes after check in. Trying to get a refund. 15 degrees hotter inside then outside with a tiny fan only. Walls and curtains were covered in black and brown marks. It was awful.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2022
Response from Franksp on Mar 21, 2022
The place is a homestay properly cleaned by volunteers who change sheets and mop the floor daily, but if you are expecting 3 star hotel cleanliness there are more expensive options out there available

6/10 Okay

Vivian

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Amenities
For the price we weren't expecting much but the place smelled very badly of smoke pretty much throughout the day as if someone was smoking indoors. We were only after a night's stay so were not very bothered about much else but the smoke was something we couldn't ignore.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2022

6/10 Okay

David

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
Slept in a pod that was a bit difficult to get in and out of. Shower facilities were adequate.Email that was sent regarding check-in was misleading.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2021
Response from Frank on Nov 17, 2021
Appreciate if you can advise where in my check in email were misleading, i would be happy to review and make the appropriate changes?

4/10 Poor

Fran, Melbourne

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
No tea bags for a cuppa on arrival and couldn't find any cups .
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020
Response from Frank on Mar 13, 2020
Yes there are tea bags and cups in kitchen why did you not ask the staffs? Its a no nonsense homestay/sharehouse we dont put those in room

6/10 Okay

Ann

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Room was clean and tidy. Had everything we needed. Other guests were noisy and disruptive in the middle of the night ( obviously owners can't control that). Was also disappointed we couldn't find cups at breakfast- had to wash dishes left by other guests to use ourselves.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2020
Response from Frank on Mar 12, 2020
Cups were in cupboard. Can call owner if you think other guests are noisy. He can shush them

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020
Response from frank on Jan 30, 2020
thanks

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great no frills low cost hostel style accomodation in a nice secure location. Interactions with the other guests were pleasant. No issues with noise or shared amenities at all. Would stay again
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
Response from Frank on Jan 22, 2020
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Response from frank on Jan 13, 2020
thanks

8/10 Good

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019
Response from Frank on Dec 1, 2019
Thanks

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Good shopping in Richmond with good restaurant 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Response from Frank on Nov 1, 2019
Thanks

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
I was not sent a key code to get in. I rang Frank and left a message- no reply. I had to wait until another guest either came in or out to get in. Was not happy.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2019
Response from Frank on Oct 13, 2019
Yes you were sent a key code. Check your email

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Response from Frank on Sep 30, 2019
Tks

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good looking home to stay in, although I was a bit disappointed that I had been “upgraded” from a capsule to a somewhat smaller room. I was looking forward to staying in a capsule. I met a couple of other people but other than that, the home was quiet and clean. I was able to prepare my own breakfast in the downstairs kitchen. For dinner, I had a great choice of nearby restaurants. Rates very reasonable. I would stay at the Mansion again.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Response from Frank on Sep 14, 2019
I have to say the upgraded room is bigger, not smaller, abeit having a single instead of a double bed.

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Horrible - would not recommend. It is a sharehouse, super loud as the tiles carry noise. Old beds and pillows - pillow expired in November 2017! Mould/mildew in showers and earplugs didn't really help. Mattress was on the cold tile floors. Not comfortable at all and hard to sleep.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Frank on Aug 26, 2019
You need a hotel princess, not a homestay. Go double your budget and look for 5 star hotel

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location but not much comfort.i was cold as there was no interior heating at the property.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019
Response from frank on Aug 14, 2019
thanks

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service
Ownr ripped me off told lies tjere was no security screen to put in your pasword at hotel a scammer i prrpaiid and pre booked wellin advance nevet going with watif again
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019
Response from frank on Jul 27, 2019
thanks

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Too noisy. Non stop noise from guests opening and closing doors, using kitchen, walking upstairs etc. Only an insomniac could survive this place. Or a dose of sleeping tablets to gain some much needed sleep. Not visiting here again. Barely enough bedding to stay warm too
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2019
Response from Frank on Jul 25, 2019
This is a budget homestay or hostel, not a hotel. 90% of guests are ok with the noise level here but of course if you are sensitive to sound you should always double your budget and book the hotels only

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice and comfortable and great value. Never had much to do with the staff, barely noticed them.
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2019
Response from Frank on Jul 15, 2019
Thank you

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Cheap and cheerful. Basically clean and a bed for the night, with the facilities to make yourself a cuppa etc. the room I had was basically clean, but a bit cold in temperature and atmosphere - maybe a rug on the floor or the concrete wall- make sure you get instructions on how to get in ahead of time, cause getting a response at the time - well, I haven't had one yet.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2019
Response from Frank on Jun 11, 2019
Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Ella, Dumbalk North

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The staff were very friendly and made you feel at home, even sharing their dinner with me. I highly recommend this budget accommodation.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019
Response from Frank on May 20, 2019
Thanks

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019
Response from Frank on Apr 21, 2019
Thanks

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Nice old building close to local shops clean informative close to public transport close to the CBD
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Frank on Mar 30, 2019
Thanks

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Place should be condemned under the housing act
Im surprised this place is even legal, it should be condemned by the Council. $130 a night for effectively an office cubicle of which the bed takes up .. well, the whole thing. The guy is obviously making a killing by converting what was once a nice family home into a squat. Wouldn't be so bad if the bed was nice since that's always the main thing. But no, clumpy pillows that have had the life squeezed out of them so that you're forced to fold them in half. No top sheet, just a picnic blanket that barely covers your torso and looks and smells like it's never been washed. A filthy shower where the shower head collapses and spins round. Lots of warning signs about using this that and the other. One tight4rse landlord here. Maybe I should consider myself lucky that I didnt have one of the luxurious tents erected on the patios .. children's play pen from kmart. Moved out the next morning quick. $260 I'll never get back.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Frank on Mar 24, 2019
People with no knowledge of the law should not rant. This is a licensed hostel/homestay it can host a lot more people although we keep it to the minimum, condition still better than any backpackers you will find out there. There are plenty of new pillows and thick blankets in the house you just need to ask we cannot possibly check every little details. Whether it is cleanliness, something not up to satisfaction you could have let us know to fix, and tents were just bonus feature if you want to use. Warning signs are there for your safety. But obviously in your case you are one of the few 10% that has overly high expectation (a problem every accommodation provider face) and likes to complain about everything while looking for the cheapest accommodation you could find on that day and ended up here. Sorry but not sorry

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2019
Response from Frank on Apr 1, 2019
Thanks

4/10 Poor

biswajit

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Experience vs Expectations
As i was not getting any room in the city, i took this with a reasonably good rating but i was really disappointed with the overall experience. I has spent 2 nights for the sake of spending as i had no other available hotel rooms ...anyway lesson learnt
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Frank on Mar 4, 2019
Surely you could book somewhere else than deciding to be ungrateful to the only accommodation provider left willing to help you

10/10 Excellent

Dylan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cheap but great
Very basic accomodation...really just a bed! Very clean and comfortable though, in a very nice house. Definitely excellent value for money!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2019
Response from Frank on Feb 8, 2019
Thanks

6/10 Okay

Mathias

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Ok for a cheap one night stay
So we were well aware that we had booked the cheap room which wasn’t actually a room but just separated by a room divider. However I was expecting a better night sleep than the one we had. The blanket was so small that not even one of us would have been able to cover our body during the night, and we had to share that. Besides that it seemed like an good enough place to stay, I can’t really say much more about it given that we only stayed there one night before going to the airport early in the morning.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from Frank on Jan 14, 2019
We have many extra blankets that can be provided, just ask.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The room was as told because i was sick just needed a bed
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2019
Response from frank on Jan 5, 2019
thanks

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Full of junkis an rude men go their if you like to but i never will again
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Frank on Jan 6, 2019
Not sure where is this coming from would appreciate if you had spoken to us during your stay instead of giving anonymous rant

6/10 Okay

Mark

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Resident and guests
I WAS GRATEFUL TO STAY WITH FRANK AT ABBOTSFORD..GOOD HOST ONLY ONE COMPLAINT WAS ONE RESIDENT WHO WAS RUDE WHEN I ASKED HIM TO BE QUIET AT 4.30AM WHEN HE AND ANOTHER WERE SPEAKING AND SMOKING OUTSIDE MY WINDOW. BUT OVERALL LOCATION AND FACILITIES OK..
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018
Response from Frank on Jan 1, 2019
Thanks for feedback. Apologies for that resident behaviour he has already left.

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018
Response from Frank on Dec 26, 2018
Thanks

8/10 Good

R

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Good location, helpful staff, clean rooms. Good experience.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018
Response from Frank on Dec 24, 2018
Thanks

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fairly decent room for the price
We booked into an economy double room but decided to upgrade to a queen as the economy doubles are tiny at about 4sqm floor space. The room was clean, bed was ok but pillows weren't great. Matt the housekeeper was a bit mental but funny and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018
Response from Frank on Dec 3, 2018
Thanks