My parents have booked flights with virgin airlines for 4 nights in Melbourne between 15th and 19th Feb 2005. They are in their 60's and hoping to carry out some day tours and maybe cruises. Can anyone recommend a good central location and what they can expect to pay for a hotel ( only looking for something clean, quite and aircon). Any recommendations of specific hotels welcome.
Thanks

I have just booked 6 nights early February at the Grand Hotel in Spencer Street as I think it is so nice. They are little apartments and the building is really lovely -I have stayed there before.
However if they want something like a Sheraton that is nice too and a good location.

We stayed at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in November. Location was fine - near the tram, Chinatown and Greek section. Rate for your dates is 125AUD. When we booked this included GST and breakfast. Suggest they take a shuttle from airport since taxi is around 45AUD. Check http://www.ghihotels.com/hgc/default...icle&ID=23 Jerry

Hi there,

We were in Melbourne a fortnight ago and stayed at the Stamford Plaza in Little Collins street. We booked through Wotif and got a good price. (Currently a queen suite is AUD 170 per night)

The hotel is very central. Only two blocks up form Bourke street mall and natrually enough close to Collins and Bourke steets for trams. Walking distance to the theatres same for some great shopping. It is quiet, comfortable and the suite had enough room to stretch out.

So if you are prepared to wait till within a fortnight to book accomodation then this hotel would serve your parents well I think.

BTW we found the concierge and deskstaff very helpful during our stay.

Cheers

Steve

Thanks for the replies,

I am considering advising them to wait a couple of weeks beforehand as mentioned and possibly get a good deal. They don't have a credit card. Does anyone know if I can use my card to hold the room for them and have them pay cash when arriving? Any other hotel recommendations welcome.

I would avoid accommodation on Spencer Street at the moment, because they are rebuilding the rail station and there is lots of construction and associated noise going on there.
We stayed at the Quay West suites which though a little bit pricey, were really nice.

Southbank is a nice place to stay. There are several hotels - Crown, Sheraton and Travelodge. Crown and Sheraton are on the river with Travelodge in a nearby street. Lots of restaurants along the river, plus boat trips etc. National Gallery of Victoria and theatres just around the corner, Ian Potter Gallery and Federation Square nearby. City shops and public gardens just a few minutes away. Use the City Circle free tram to get around town.
I agree with Neil - Spencer Street is a bit of a mess at the moment and is never the nicest part of town.
If you are looking for a budget hotel, try Ibis - at the other end of town but still a nice area opposite Exhibition Gardens.

Thanks again

Will let them know to avoid Spencer st. I think they would be happy with a travelodge quality hotel, so thanks for mentioning those in the southbank area.
Marg which would be better, southbank or the other end of town where the ibis is?

We have stayed at the new Travelodge at Southbank and got a good price through www.lastminute.com.au I think we paid about A$95.00, it will be cheaper over the weekend as business people will use it during the week. It is in a good area, close to Southbank which is full of restaurants and cafes and some shops, and only 5 mins walk across the Yarra River into the centre of the city. I think it's in a better area than the Ibis which is quite close to the Queen Vic Market. Our room at the Travelodge was fine, it's a brand new building, there were lots of restaurants that would deliver meals to your room and you can get breakfast at the dining area on the ground floor of the hotel. There is discounted parking if you ask at reception.

If your parents stay in the Southbank area they can walk to Flinders St(a few mins away) and hop on the free city circle tram or walk if they are fit people. There are also quite a few tours that go down the river and leave from Southbank.
Kay

Hi Navgator
I would not go to the Ibis it is not real good and there is a lot of noise in Spencer ST any where else is ok I will give you a web site I use
www.quickbeds .com .you can book 3 months out with them South Bank area is very good .You could book the rooms with your credit card and they could just pay you would be the best way

Thanks again
At this stage I will advise them on staying in the Southbank area. KayF, is the area immediately outside the Travelodge noisy, or wasn't this a problem. Mind you I'm assuming staying in this are, a bit of noise is part and parcel?

navgator, payment arrangements would be best discussed with the hotel concerned; but if your parents don't have a credit card maybe the the easy way will be for you to pay on your card and have your parents reimburse you in cash.

Even easier would be for them to get a credit card, unless they have some objection. I assume they're planning to use a debit card and pay cash for everything?

The Travelodge hotel is on the south side of the city square south bank as it is called is a part of Melbourne that has been modernized since the casino was built it is about two blocks away from the Travelodge along the river walk there are restaurants along the walk and you can go on a Yarra river cruise if you want we think it is safe to walk after dark as a lot of people walk along there early in the night if you look up the site I gave you early it will give you a rough map of where the Travelodge is .

I don't remember any street noise when we stayed at the Travelodge but the surrounding area is quite popular and usually busy, especially on fine weekends. The Travelodge is set one street back from the river area so I think it would be a little quieter than the area right on the river where all the restaurants and cafes are.
Regarding payment, usually you use a credit card to confirm the booking but pay on check-out. In that case, I don't see why the hotel wouldn't accept cash from your parents but you could send them a quick email to ask. They might want to mention how they plan to pay when they first arrive, I can't see it being a problem.
Your parents can find signs at the river with information on the different river cruises. They might also enjoy the spectacular view from the top of the Rialto Tower in the city. In Swanston St, opposite the Westin Hotel, there are booths selling day tours and the hotel could organise coach pick up at the hotel for most trips I'm sure.
Best wishes
Kay

Thanks again for the replies,
Neil, yes they don't have a credit card but will be using a debit card and cash for all their payments. Thanks again to all for your information

I was in Melbourne this November and stayed at the Novotel on Collins. The location can't be beat. A short stroll to day tours office, right accross the street to the American Express Office, and a tram stops on the corner block of the hotel. (I love the tram and train system in Melbourne!) This hotel is on top of a mall which connects to the department stores and alley shopping archades and restaurants that go for blocks. I paid around $145 US a night with taxes and two breakfasts. Comfortable quiet large rooms and a really nice staff, but the restaurant was very expensive. Better food buys can be found in the Mall restaurants downstairs. But, I would definitly stay there again.

I also stayed at the "new" Ramada on Spencer Street. DON'T stay there unless you like really small rooms and a bed that is harder than concrete.

If I were to stay as part of a vacation, and wanted an area that was more alive after 6:00 pm, I would stay in the Southbank. It is trendier, with tons of restaurants.

As for attractions I would not waste the time with a visit to the Melbourne Zoo. It is kind of dirty and not well kept. If they buy souviners,take a tram and buy them at the Victoria Market. Bring their good walking shoes and spend and afternoon walking the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Skigal,

Thanks for your information

I am going to Melbourne for the first time next week courtesy of a Christmas bonus from work and have been booked in to The Rydges in Exhibition Street. Does anyone know what this one is like?

Hi Bushtail
You will like the Rydges it is one of the best hotels in Melbourne and Exhibition street is in the centre of the city

Rydges is fine but I would hardly say it's one of the best hotels in Melbourne. Exhibition St is in the central CBD and walking distance to lots of attractions. It's close to the live theatre venues, Chinatown, lots of shops, etc. To get to somewhere like Southbank is a bit of a hike but you can easily hop on a tram - the free city circle tram stands out as it's a purple colour - you need a ticket for the other trams.
Kay