Trying to decide between the Travelodge Southbank or the Georgian Court B&B in East Melbourne (near Fitzroy Gardens) for three nights. We'd like to be in a safe area within easy walking distance to good restaurants and pubs. Can anyone offer pros and cons for either of these areas?

Both are in good locations, pubs & restaurants/bistros within a few minutes walk; Southbank is, of course, closer to the CBD.

Georgian Court is in a funkier area with more "local" pubs/bistros etc.

Definitely the Travelodge Southbank. It is close to everything. Excellent restaurants, the Belgian Beer pub around the corner, ther CBD just across the bridge, the Casino about a 10 min walk etc. etc. The Georgian Court looks good on the website, but I had occasion to drive past it the other day and it looks pretty rundown. While East Melbourne is certainly one of Melbourne's most elegant suburbs,any accomodation is not as convenient to traveller's needs as Southbank e.g the restaurants are not close and certainly do not provide the variety.

With thanks for the above information, I'm trying to make a decision between Travelodge Southbank and Rydges on Exhibition St.

We will be in Melbourne for several nights including Nov 2 when the rates at many hotels have gone sky high due to the special event(MelbourneCup?)

Travelodge is more affordable, but Rydges might be a better location.

Can anyone offer comment? Thanks

The Melbourne Cup would certainly have hiked rates. It is always held on the first Tuesday in November and it is a holiday in the Melbourne area (not many horse races can achieve that!).
Rydges is a very central location near Chinatown, but my preference would still be TL Southbank.

Travelodge Southbank for me too. A really excellent location - many many good restaurants, bars and right on the doorsetep of the river, gardens etc.

East Melb is really lovely but quiet. It's an expensive residential area which if you want peace and quiet would be perfect. Maybe a bit of a hike to get to restaurants. Southbank is probably far better located for you and there are so many places less than 5 minutes walk away. Both areas I would consider safe although late at night around Flinders Street station and along the river between the Travelodge and the casino I would keep my wits about me. I don't want to freak you out but like any large city you need to be aware of what's happening around you at night. As a tourist I'd stay around Southbank rather than Exhibition Street definately.