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Need lodging help in Melbourne
Hi- So we are going to be in Melbourne Dec 9 for 4 nights and aren't sure where to stay. We contacted the Nunnery but they only had the Townhouse for 3 nights and then we would have to move to the guesthouse for 1 night. I am not too into that since the townhouse is quieter. And don't really want to unpack, pack then unpack.
We are (me and my husband, in our early 30's) are looking for places that have some character, near public transport, under or around $100US, quiet. Don't care if we have our own bathroom. here are some places I looked at online that seem ok. ANY feed back on these or other spots would be most welcome. We like to eat and shop (used book stores, record stores etc) by the way. Kensington B&B http://www.kensingtoncc.com.au/Index.html Says it is about 20min train ride to CBD, would this be annoying? Toadhall http://www.toadhallhotel.com.au/1.html Olembia in St. Kilda http://www.olembia.com.au/ good reviews, smallish. http://www.ywca.net/default.asp?id=44 http://www.asiatravel.com/australia/...hotels/hotely/ both sites for Hotel Y. The Miami moter inn. http://themiami.com.au/index.html Rydges http://www.rydges.com/locations/Rydg...t=CitySuburban Thanks Denise |
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Hello Denise,
I've never stayed in a hotel in Melbourne, so cannot comment on the quality of any of these properties. I can only comment on the locations and on any pros and cons that I happen to have noticed on the websites you provided, which I will attempt to do. My gut instinct, based on my guess of where a youngish couple would enjoy staying, is that the Hotel Clarement is in a fun location. However, as I said before, I have no idea of what the accommodations themselves are like. I have no idea what standard of cleanliness, etc., A$76 buys you. The irony, though, if you look at www.wotif.com.au , is that, for your stated price of US$100 (or A$135), you could get into the 5-star Windsor, with a queen bed, marble bathroom, complimentary newspaper and use of fitness centre. The Windsor is the "grand old lady" of Melbourne. For US$76 (or A$99) you could get into a couple of 4-star hotels, and so on. Now admittedly those prices are limited to the next couple of weeks, because that's how Wotif works. I don't know if you'll have the same luck in early December, but you'll be getting there just before the start of the Australian summer school holidays, so maybe you'll be able to squeak in. Just a thought. Anyway, back to the locations of the properties about which you enquired. Kensington C&C (not B&B) This is a little too far to the NW of downtown for my taste. If I was going to be staying outside of downtown, I would rather head south towards the beachfront neighbourhood of St. Kilda. Toadhall Central, convenient location. I have walked by this place, a heritage building from the gold rush days. It would appear, if I understand the website correctly, that a credit card is required to secure the reservation, but payment needs to be made by debit card, direct credit card, cash or Australian traveller's cheque. (EFTPOS stands for "Electronic Funds Transfer at Point Of Sale" and basically means a debit card. I think, but don't know for sure, that direct credit card is one of those combination debit/credit cards where the money is withdrawn from your bank account immediately.) Hotel Y Central, convenient location. Payment required in advance. Ten day cancellation policy. Olembia St. Kilda is a pleasant neighbourhood in which to stay. Near the ocean, lots of restaurants and pubs. Not downtown, but a 20-minute tram (trolley) ride from downtown. Did you notice the office hours, though? I wonder what happens if you want to check in between 1 pm and 5 pm. Miami Motor Inn Location is pushing the envelope in terms of how far west of downtown I would want to go. I think it's still acceptable. An attractive feature is the affordable airport shuttle. Rydges It's a bit to the north of downtown, but right on a tram line, so connection to downtown is good. Hotel Claremont In South Yarra, a little to the SE of downtown. I actually think this would be a fun location. A 10-minute tram ride to downtown, and yet also close to Chapel Street and Toorak Road shops, Jam Factory entertainment complex, St. Kilda Esplanade, Prahran Market, Royal Botanic Gardens, Southbank. Downside is shared bath (although you said you didn't mind that.) Need to be a member of Nomads (at a cost of A$39). Property appears to accept credit cards. 48 hour cancellation policy. |
Hi Judy- Thanks for your feedback. I didn't notice that at the Claremont you had to be a member of Nomad. That raises the price. Though the area sounds neat.
The Kensington being far from downtown doesn't bother me, as long as there are good places to eat around there. I did a search on citysearch.melbourne and found some interesting places. My husband and I seem to be agonizing over these places for too long. Think we need to just make a decision. I don't think Wotif.com will work for us because we will be in Sydney the 14 days previous and I don't want to worry about finding a computer to look at accomodations. Thanks for your input. It was very welcomed! Denise |
Hi Denise
The Kensington, is just an ordinary 3 bedroomed suburban house situated close to Kensington Station which is two/three stops to the city. The suburb of Kensington has undergone somewhat of a revival/gentrifaction and there are several cafes, greengrocers, shops nearby this accommodation. Hardimans Hotel has quite a nice restaurant and is close by. I note the web page says it is close to the Queen Victoria Market, not the case it is at least 3km to the market and quite a walk. Another poster here was enquiring about the Punt Hill apartments, the properties on Little Bourke and the one on Flinders Lane are very well situated, central to everything. You would not need a car. They are in the centre of the city and on not on major streets so very little traffic noise. Here is a web link www.punthill-apartments.com.au Their prices are about $140 Aus for a 1 bedroom , less for a studio which I think fits into your budget. A much cheaper option , situated behind the Town Hall on Little Collins St is the Victoria Hotel www.victoriahotel.com.au An economy double is around $80 Aus Cheers |
Just returned from Oz. Stayed at Hotel Como in South Yarra-a short ride on the tram into town. Check the internet for rates-www.mirvac.com
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Hi, just to add to your decision dilemma - here are two other options
http://www.magnoliacourt.net/index.jsp http://www.kingaccomm.com.au/ I stayed at Magnolia Court a few years ago and it's in a good location, about 10/15 min walk into the CBD across the gardens or close to the tram. Room was OK, not plush but fine. Friends stayed at King Boutique Accommodation and really liked it. I couldn't find prices on their website but you could email them. If quiet is an issue, Magnolia Court would probably be quieter as it's on a side street where King is on a main street. Toad Hall doesn't look great from the outside but it may be fine inside. The Y in Elizabeth Street has a good name and is in a good area, close to Queen Vic Market etc. Not sure about the others. Kay |
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