Gatewayonmonash Avis 

This is an honest review that I don't want shut down because it is truthful. Photos don't lie! They are proof of this despicable disgustingly dirty hotel that preys on the vulnerable. People have to made aware of the substandard on offer from this establishment.
Then my next review will be regarding lastminute.com about the misleading customer service around reporting this business.
For now I'll focus on gatewayonmonash.com.au

I wrote to this establishment and gave them a choice to refund my night and the cost it took me to write the complaint and relive the disgust we endured by reviewing the photos.

The business chose not to give me a refund. So now I want everyone to see how filthy our room was on entry.
If anyone is interested in this report, please feel free to reach out.

Gateway on Monash – Boutique Hotel in Notting Hills what an absolute disgusting disgrace!

I booked this hotel on lastminute.com.au in March 2025 based on its 4.5-star rating, excellent reviews (8.6/10), and its proximity to Monash University Clayton Campus. We booked a twin room. My daughter and I were traveling from Bendigo to attend my son’s graduation the next day at Monash University. As we couldn’t leave until after school (my daughter is a teacher), and with my limited income as a disability pensioner, this night away was meant to be a rare treat — a break from the routine and a chance to spend time with my daughter, whose schedule is always packed.

We didn’t have 2-seater sofa in our room as advertised. The first of many lies. With our experience here we are glad there wasn’t a sofa.

While I try to keep my expectations low these days due to life's disappointments, when you pay for a 4.5-star rated hotel with glowing reviews, you expect cleanliness to exceed your own home — especially since you don’t clean your own house every day. It’s a basic expectation that hotel rooms are cleaned regularly, especially at this price point.

We checked in about 6.40pm after nearly three hours of driving, exhausted and ready to relax. The room (No. 11) appeared tidy at first glance, but when we checked the bathroom, we were horrified. The mould was so pervasive and disgusting that it made us feel sick in our stomachs. There’s green, pink and black mould. All various stages of mould!! I’ve taken photos of the bathroom (zoom in for full effect) and even managed to show with a wipe how easy it was to clean up some of the grime.
Other issues in the bathroom included:
• Stains on the base of the spa tub
• A decrepit-looking spa
• Pee residue left on the toilet
• Tape still around vents from recent painting and not cleaned off
• Hardware left on the bench where it had fallen off
• Makeup stains left on the bench

After further inspection, we noticed:
• Cobwebs in the ceiling corners
• A ceiling fan caked with years of dust
• Furniture bolted to the walls (who would want to steal it), with poor painting around it
• Old, worn timber furniture in desperate need of restoration
• A TV mounted poorly with a faulty mount that isn’t moveable and caked in dust
• A filthy phone meant for calling reception
• A freezer that didn’t work and had dirty seals – replace the whole unit!
• The carpet was in awful condition, adding to the grimy feel of the room

Had we arrived earlier, I would have demanded a refund and found somewhere else to stay. We called reception, and a staff member came to inspect the room. When we asked when it was last cleaned, he claimed it was cleaned yesterday — which I found hard to believe. Mould like that takes at least a month to grow. Clearly, the cleaning staff are not doing their job, and the room needs a deep clean and disinfecting from top to bottom.

Unfortunately, due to the late hour and our long journey, we had no choice but to stay. We were told the hotel was fully booked, but I suspect that was a lie. It left us feeling vulnerable and trapped.

When we checked out in the early morning we noticed litter outside and unkempt gardening. Lift your game. I’d be embarrassed if I worked or own this place. Shut it down and disinfect and clean your property with pride.

1. Your establishment doesn’t have the right to call it a Boutique Hotel! Another lie. Google the meaning of "Boutique Hotel".
2. Determining 4.5/5 accommodation. Google the article "understanding australias official hotel star ratings system"
3. This is not a 4.5-star hotel as per lastminute.com.au. It’s at least 4 stars short of that! After reading that article you have even failed a 1 star.
4. For what was supposed to be a fun little adventure, filled with the anticipation of an overwhelming sense of pride for my son, you ruined it with your negligence and disregard for basic cleanliness and hospitality.

I have photos but can't attach them. They are worth gold!!!!