Can anybody recommend accomadation that is within a short train/bus ride from Melbourne.<BR>eg.in the suburbs?<BR> We, the wife and I, would like a one bedroom apartment with a spa if possible.<BR> We will be in Melbourne in the last two weeks of July.

Mike,<BR>there are heaps of apartments in the inner city. Suggest St Kilda, Fitzroy, South Yarra, East Melbourne and Richmond. Try a search on www.google.com with keywords Melbourne apartment spa. Oakford is one company I know of that has apartments, they will have a website. We stayed with friends at Magnolia Court in East Melbourne which was nice (old building, a little old-fashioned), that was a 10 min walk across parkland to the city. <BR>Also try a search for the Como in South Yarra - upmarket and surrounded by shops and restaurants, tram to the city.<BR>Kay

Have a look at both these sites.<BR>www.wotif.com<BR>www.needitnow.com.au<BR >these are offers available at the minute, however it will give you a good idea on what is on offer, & most important what the rooms look like.. All places listed are a tram ride from c.b.d. or are in it.<BR>Just a warning on one however.<BR>I booked whith Aston Apartments, 40 Powell St, South. Melbourne. (their office.) They seem to have a lot of Apartments around the city.<BR>On arrival I was sent to Albert Height Apartment, I would give it 2 stars at the very best.well I can't tell you how upset I became....as this was not what I had paid for as far as I was concerned... I phoned & spoke to management who said there has been a mistake on the web.... nice if you can get away with it.<BR>Management then offered us a one bedroom apartment right next door to there office, which was just fine.<BR>There are lots of lessons out there... don't except sub standard accom, there is plenty of lovely places in Melbourne.

Thanks for your replies but I was thinking more of a place to stay say 20 to 30 minutes out of Melbourne on the train/bus route that is four to five star but not as expensive as in the CBD.<BR>Cheers Mike

Mike, 20 to 30 min out of Melbourne. is a hard ask except for the Novital St.Kilda. 5 star, but not that far away.I think it would take 15 min. by tram to the city.<BR><BR>Do you know what part of suburbs you wish to stay... have you been to Melbourne before.<BR>

Hi Aussie, Yes I've been to Melbourne before but it was about 20 years ago. We are staying in the CBD for the first two nights we are there, at the Oakford Gorden Place Hotel but I thought it would be good to get out of the City for the remainder of our visit. I will check out the internet to see if there is a good Motel on the outskirts of Melbourne but if you can recommend one all the better.<BR>Cheers Mike

There is a Novotel hotel in the eastern suburbs at Glen Waverley - about 25-30 minutes from the city by train. It's five minutes walk to the station and there is a good shopping centre nearby. Glen Waverley has about 30 restaurants - everything from Japanese, Malaysian, Thai, Italian etc plus KFC, MacDonalds. There is a multiplex cinema next to the hotel.

Hi Mike<BR>You will get all you need off www.visitmelbourne.com<BR>Happy hunting.<BR>