Need advice on where to stay in Melbourne. First time visiting and have 2 nights, 1 1/2 days. Should we stay in City Central or outlying area neighborhood? We want to see some sights and be within walking distance to some good restaurants. Don't care if it's a hotel or B & B. Don't necessarily want to stay in a sterile highrise. These are our last 2 nights in Australia. We will have stayed mostly in B & B's and small boutique hotels while in Australia. Would like to keep the homey feeling. We have a 6:00 AM flight to catch, so must get to airport very early! Thanks for any advice!

Last time I was in Melbourne (a few weeks ago) I stayed at the Urban Hotel in St Kilda. St Kilda was substantially cheaper than the CBD. There are lots of restaurants there as well as pubs and clubs.

We stayed at the Batemans on Collins right across from the station, where you catch the bus to airport. 2 bedroom suite with kitchenette was 149.00 last October. Right in heart of CBC, trams just outside door. Not fancy but super clean, and great connections for bus, tram etc.

If you want to end your trip on a high note, you can't beat the Langham Hotel in Southbank. Wonderful service, luxurious details, walking distance to masses of restauranats and right on the water. Not cheap but it's nice to end a trip with a little splurge if you can afford it

Depends in part on your budget .

The following are smaller hotels with a more boutique feel to them .

The Adelphi Hotel in Flinders Lane .
The Tolarno Hotel in St.Kilda .
The Lindrum Hotel in Flinders Street

All are well placed for what you want to do but the city hotels make the drive to the airport a little shorter .

Look at www.wotif.com.au to see the prices on offer .

I agree...stay in the city. Southbank is nice...and has lot's of places to eat etc. There is a good tram system in the city of Melbourne so anywhere in the city would be good....maybe avoid the King st area though...

Adelphi now gets very bad reviews, I used to really like it a lot, especially the pool. But TA reviews suggest the pool is unusable. Great collection of Australian photography however: each floor has a different photographer featured.

I like Lindrum a lot that's my current favourite, but it is quite pricey for what you get. Excellent breakfast--cafe style food made to order rather than the usual half warm buffet.

I've heard good things about the Hatton, but haven't tried it.

Sorry to hear that about the Adelphi.