This property is recently refurbished and still has a couple of things left to do only minor. We stayed here because of the pool as my daughter loves to swim, the fact that it was recently refurbished also enticed us as I am fussy with rooms that are getting old. It isn't far from the market and was quite handy to Draculas and Lygon Street, it is a little walk into town but trams run down Swanston and Elizabeth all the time so you can always jump on one. The only real negative thing is that is an apartment complex and not a hotel, so you get no service in regards to having the room made up and no fancy soaps, shampoo conditioner etc you must bring your own. We wouldn't stay again, but if you aren't necessarily looking for service then it would be fine. We booked a two bed apartment through not one night for $232 per night. They are relatively small, but we didn't have too many issues with a family of four.

Planning a weekend away to Melbourne to visit a friend, we needed a room for 4 people and stumbled across this one on a last minute deal. Having read the reviews prior to, I was a bit wary.
Most of the renovations on the hotel were complete, minus the a4 laminated signing stuck to walls. The rooms were spotless, well cleaned and a failry good size. Heater was more than sufficient, kitchen bits and pieces were clean and they seemed to have all areas well covered. The service was great as we were a little disorganised for our last minute weekend, they helped us out by looking after keys and allowing us to 'check out' the night before we left. Included with the room were full use of facilities which were also immaculate, and security on the hotel was reassuring. Only 2 blocks away we found an entrance to Melbourne Central, meaning we weren't as far away from the city as we thought.
The only complaint would be the noise, as you could quite often hear other roms' doors slamming etc.
An overall good experience, and the only minor improvements needed look like they wont be far away as the renovations are winding up!

I researched for months trying to find somewhere nice to stay in Melbourne. I tossed and turned worrying about whether a hotel or apartment would be better. When I came across this hotel, the photos looked magnificent. BIG MISTAKE! The one bedroom apartments are SARDINE CANS, and it's not really even a separate bedroom, it's all part of the one thing just separated by a sliding partition! The air conditioner was REALLY noisy and we had to wait ages for a lift that never came, and when it did, millions of people piling in and having to every stop to the 20th floor! I've learnt my lesson once again, will only go 5 star from now and pay the extra for peace of mind, it's not worth going for the bargains, I even CALLED them beforehand and they assured me the apartments were large and there wouldn't be much construction noise, yeah right! Overall very dissapointing, it goes to show you should only book anything by recommendation only!

My wife, daughter and I (from Auckland, NZ) stayed for three nights at the Milano on Swanston in May, 2007.
First impression wasn't the best, as we had to make our way through on-going renovations (both outside and inside the Lobby) to get to our room. Think: strong paint smells, sound of grinders and buzzsaws, etc ...
The apartment seemed to fit the general developer's plan to squeeze as many rooms as possible into a building. Numbingly rectangular and uninspiring. We chose a "2 bedroom executive suite", expecting something nice, so our reaction was .. muted. The bathroom, notably, was not much bigger than the one we experienced on the airplane on the way over. You get the idea.
I guess if you're used to apartments at the Gold Coast, for example, you come with pretty high expectations. My advice is - don't. The size gives the feeling of a hotel room, rather than an 'apartment'.
Location is fine ... northern end of the CBD, so near to Q. Victoria markets. Southbank is at the other end of the CBD, but the excellent tram service brings everything within reach.
STEVE and CAROL