I visit here regularly. The prices are hit and miss. Some things are great and others, exceptionally dear in comparison to other organic grocers. The quality here is maintained better than most organic stores. They also have a good range of products with cheeses, coffee, ready to eat snacks, soup, pies, fruit and veg, nuts, flours, shampoos and soaps and even make-up.

Not a buffet like there other store but similarly buffet quality food. We ate here once and haven't been back. The food just wasn't pleasing at all and far too expensive for what was clearly less than quality.

Approximate cost: $25

Absolutely Love this little cafe! It's tucked down the back of the RMIT Universities food court but worth a look in. Not only is it Vegan but also Organic. It's run by the Student Union at the University to ensure students have access to quality and affordable healthy food. It's staffed by University student volunteers who doma great job withnthe help of their very patient and knowledgable manager and an ace chef. They have a variety of organic and ethical minded drinks including green smoothies. They change up the main meals each day but they usually mock take-away chain favourites with healthy ingredients and far more taste. Yesterday I had a Shepherds Pie with mock meat filling made from mushroom. They do a great Veggie burger with hand cut sweet potato fries too. They stock a variety of naked treaties raw desserts. The Jaffa slice is too die for. Overall, my favourite go to place for a much needed Vegan snack in the city and open to non-students.

Oh, I should mention that student union (RUSU) members get 10% off too.

Approximate cost: $8.50

We stayed at the Four Seasons in August with our two year old son. The hotel itself is Grand. We were welcomed by a team of approachable staff with an Australian Animal Toy to calm our Toddler who was quite over the fuss of travelling. There were vitamin waters of Cucumber and Orange gracing the service desk so that we could refresh ourselves. Despite being early, they offered us to check in a few hours early in a lower room, or wait 20 minutes for a room on a higher floor. We hadn't slept and took the lower room.

We were unfortunately disappointed with how outdated the room was. It was not well designed architecturally to utilise the small space. The bathroom was a very tight squeeze which could be easily rectified by removing the bath or opening up the space with the use of glass walling like many five star hotels have done nationally and internationally. A cot was bought up for our son but without blankets. It also didnt quite fit and we lost half our walking space. our son subsequently ended up gracing our bed for the week.

The pool area was also outdated and in need of a desperate revamp. it was outside and did not feel at all luxurious. Think motel pool. We weren't impressed.

Luckily, we hadn't planned on spending too much time in our room. We ensured that we included breakfast in our stay and were pleased we did. It was the standout of our stay. We got up early and spent several hours in the beautiful restaurant before setting off for the day. The waiters were attentive. The choices wide. Fruit buffet with yoghurts, berries, comb fresh with dripping honey, fresh breads, juices, anti pasto with smoked salmon, olives and fermented vegetables and meats. Plenty of bacon, eggs cooked to your preference, mushrooms, tomatoes, pancakes, breads of every variety, desserts galore. The chefs were also happy to take special orders and they had a staff member on hand to make coffee and fresh juice. I'd have 2 or 3 different vegetable juice concoctions each morning. I even ordered tossed spinach and strawberries with walnuts and they were all to happy to make it for me.

All in all, we enjoyed our stay. I doubt we'd stay anywhere but in premium suites next time in hope they outrank the base rooms. As they are well and truly double the price, I will hold extremely high expectations. The base rooms certainly didn't provide the luxurious stay we had hoped for. It let the hotel down.

Approximate cost: $450pn

I stayed here with my wife for our third wedding anniversary. We had booked using a bonus special advertised through the My booking website of the Entertainment Book. With it, not only were room prices reduced dramatically but we received complementary breakfast and valet parking. To our surprise, our room was also upgraded. The room's were lovely. Not as big as what we are used to but still very comfortable. We received a bottle of wine on our first evening also.

The not so good:

The body supplies contained a variety of toxic chemicals and I subsequently had to hunt down and purchase some safer alternatives to use during our stay. Having quality and well sourced products is something we'd come to expect in five star hotels and this was the first in a few years that had supplied something obviously cheap and unthoughtful.

The breakfast was quite average. The juice was a cheap bottled variety full of preservatives. We are used to having access to fresh juices at hotel's. Most five stars we've stayed at internationally have organic options also (although I don't often expect it in Australia, we still hope) They didn't have any milk alternatives available apart from a non organic variety of Soy which I will not drink. The buffet was quite large but without many vegetable options. I was surprised they didn't have spinach, mushrooms or tomato.

The end result:

The hotel itself was in a great location and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The staff were relatively friendly, not as engaged as some of the other hotels we've stayed at, but still acceptable. The deal we got was fantastic and allowed us to try out the hotel. It's not somewhere we'd stay again if we wanted a ultra luxurious weekend. Instead, it's a place to be in the bustle of the casino and city, close to the entertainment centre and discount shopping.

Approximate cost: $230pn

We went here on Sunday night and it was loud and busy with live music. We ate in the restaurant and had our two year old present. We were seated right next to the gas fire heater which was toasty warm. All the food was perfect. We both had fish dishes. The dessert plate was the stand out. We couldnt finish it between the 3 of us. The restaurant setting was a little romantic. I would certainly return.

Approximate cost: $25-40

I took my husband here for Fathers day. It was a set menu for about $65pp from memory. The property was stunning. Surrounded by vegetable gardens, a playground for children and endless views. The weather was perfect and be decided to bask in the sun on the green grass after we ate and just enjoy. The set menu was lovely but I do like to choose and it wasnt really explained upon making the booking. I didnt end up eating the dessert. I hope to return to try out their usual menu. Everything we were served was well presented and cooked and the service was was impressive.

Approximate cost: $65

Firstly, the location here is just lovely. We went here following tge recommended Gold Class section of the Entertainment book. We dined in the evening but still enjoyed the beach views, waves crashing and people walking by. Before anything else, the dessert plate was our fondest memory. It was huge!! And amazing value. Every dessert from the menu. We will be returning here very soon

Approximate cost: $25-40

We visited Botanical after seeing it in the Gold recommended section of the Greater Melbourne Entertainment book. My husband had the beef tartare as his entre which was superbly plated and full of perfect textures and tastes that just blended well. I had the smoked salmon as my entre with cucumber curls, asparagus, caviar and cucumber and vodka jelly. It was divine. No other possible way to describe. Mains were poached pear and duck and my husband had the pumpkin gnocchi. Once again perfection. Dessert was a beautifully presented apple and rosemary crumble. The apple had been shaped and the crumble was sprinkled across the plate with apple sorbet and meringue. Another winner were the cocktails. Peach and lemongrass and the trinidad sours were our favourite. This is the perfect impresser venue for special occasions or first dates. I will be back.

Approximate cost: $25-45

We had breakfast included for Mr Hive when we stayed at Crown Metropol for our Wedding anniversary weekend. The restaurant promised up big with a beautiful, stylish and modern setting. Unfortunately, we weren't impressed. We witnessed home brand juices being poured into the self serve juice station and I couldn't bring myself to drink it. I paid extra to purchase pre-made fresh juice from the front of the restaurant. I was also disappointed that the buffet was mostly wheat and meat based, but not of quality. I requested spinach separately but didn't eat too much else. The fruit was flavourless and tasted as though it had been in the fridge for some time before served. There were no nut milks available and their soy milk was not organic but thankfully gm free. I had heard such great thongs about this restaurant and the room service we had was subsequently lovely but the breakfast was just terrible, especially for the $77 per couple pricetag. We have a voucher to use from the entertainment booklet so will try dining here at night but the breakfast certainly needs improvement. For the price, I would expect beautiful organic fruits and vegetable, both a vegetable and fresh fruit juice station with a selection of fresh baked breads and pastries. Just about every five star hotel breakfast we've had internationally has been organic and starred some gorgeous chef dishes. Just didn't live up to standard.

Approximate cost: $38.50