ausl

Hi all,

Anyone stayed at this apartment before? Any review on the surrounding area?

1. Pacific International Apartments - Melbourne
2. Pacific International Apartments - on Exhibition
3. Quest St. Kilda Bayside.

Its hard to choose because we've never been to Melbourne and all help appreciated!

ausl

Judy_in_Calgary

Hi Ausl,

If memory serves me correctly, you are the person who is going to Melbourne with a 22 month old toddler, and you're going in March, right? I can't remember if you said how long you'll be staying in Melbourne, as that too makes a difference. I've never stayed in any of the listed places, and I don't know exactly where they are, but I'll try to guess from the names.

1. I'm guessing that the place that states its location as Melbourne is in the central business district (CBD). This would be the best place to stay if you were going to be in Melbourne for only a short time, as you wouldn't waste any time in travelling between your accommodation and the CBD. If you stayed in the CBD, you could purchase food at the Queen Victoria Market.

2. I don't know where "Exhibition" is. I'm guessing it's near the big exhibition centre in Carlton, a district that is immediately to the north of the CBD. This is the district where Lygon Street, famous for its ethnic restaurants, is located. It's a cool area for adults. There are lots of interesting shops, like secondhand bookstores, which I like. There definitely would be opportunities for buying groceries somewhere around there. However, I don't know if the area would have as much to offer a small child.

3. St. Kilda is on the oceanfront, and has a lovely promenade for walking, cycling and rollerblading. It would be a really nice place to walk with your child. If memory serves me correctly, there is playground equipment (swings, etc.) somewhere along there. St. Kilda has lots of restaurants, cafes, and bars and also interesting stores like bookstores, etc. It definitely has grocery stores too. Of the three districts mentioned, St. Kilda is the furthest from the CBD. But even it is only a short tram ride away from the CBD.

If I was going to Melbourne with a 22 month old, and if I was going to be there for a reasonable length of time (say at least a week), St. Kilda would be my first choice.

But any one of the three districts you've mentioned would be fine.

Best of luck.

Airsick_

St. Kilda also has a small amusement park which would appeal to the younger set.

marg

I think the Exhibition referred to is Exhibition Street which is one of the major streets in the CBD. Checking in the Melbourne phone book, Pacific seem to have apartments in Little Bourke Street, Southbank and Exhibition Street. My choice from these would be either Southbank or Exhibition Street. (Little Burke Street is narrow and part of it is Melbourne's Chinatown.)
If you intend spending your time sightseeing, then a hotel in the CBD would be much more central particularly since you could use the free City Circle tram. Southbank is also fairly central with a good choice of eating places etc.

ausl

Thanks, Judy, Airsick and Marg. Its nice of u all to take the time to respond. We are still a bit confused and i have made my hubby mad by saying "eh! how about Sydney?", i would like to shop, shop n er shop, n am thinking if shopping in Melbourne is as good!

Yes, am referring to the Apt in Exhibition st.

marg

Now shopping in Melbourne - that's really talking!
Go to Bridge Road, Richmond for more factory outlet shops than you can possible explore in one day. Alternatively Swan Street, Richmond but not nearly as good. Both areas are close to the CBD by tram.
Queen Victoria Market is excellent for souvenirs, clothes and food.
Myer is Melbourne's biggest department store and next door is David Jones, a more upmarket store.
Chapel Street, Prahran is another good but different shopping centre - again accessible by tram from the city.
If you are out of the city, Brandsmart in Nunawading has about 40 factory outlet shops.