Where to stay in Melbourne?
Your Best Melbourne Accommodation Options Explained
Melbourne’s put on a little weight lately. Like a voluptuous woman who’s had one or two chocolate eclairs too many, the middle button on her blouse is suffering a little under the strain. I mention this only because the population balloon has a knock-on impact for your short stay, corporate or holiday accommodation options.
In 2001, the City of Melbourne’s resident population was just 56,000 (CBD area – not the whole city). Merely seven years on, the most recent official stats from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, shows an increase of nearly 35% to 89,000 residents. And these stats are at least 12 months old. While new building has been rocketing along at an incomprehensible rate, there is still something of a dearth of quality, affordable accommodation in Melbourne’s CBD. This has meant short-term accommodation options have been squeezed a little. That said, there are still some great choices, but you might need to think ahead a little and book as soon as you have a feel for the sort of thing you’d like. Some options to consider:
Privately Operated Boutique Apartments
I shall declare my hand immediately and fess up to this being my favorite form of Melbourne accommodation. But of course. As one of the owners of Apartment Alkira, I obviously have a preference for individual and unique places to stay within Melbourne’s CDB. Not all private boutique apartments are wonderful of course, and you should definitely check reviews and ask around to make sure you’ll be getting what you’re expecting. In general however, they are a terrific way of staying in quality properties without paying the mega pricetag. You’ll find them considerably larger than a standard hotel room and with much greater amenity. Make sure you get one with good windows to let in light and a lift if it’s in an older-style block. There are some magnificent heritage buildings in Melbourne’s CBD – Alkira House is only one example – many others offer accommodation options, so it’s worth checking if you’re interested in architecture, design or something a little quirky.
Serviced Apartments
These are often in newish apartment complexes and have the benefit of being generally well kitted out and self-contained. You’ll usually find a reasonably well-equipped kitchen where you can stock up and make meals if that’s what you’re looking for. The down-side is that they can be a little sterile and formulaic and are generally in characterless compounds. There have also been complaints of the newish complexes that the walls aren’t well insulated resulting in noise travelling between apartments more easily than you’d like. However, they are usually very secure and conveniently located. Check carefully however as many claim to be located in the CBD and are on the outskirts or nudging into inners suburbs. You should be able to find centrally located serviced apartments that are within 5-10 minutes leisurely walk from the centre of Melbourne, Bourke Street Mall or Federation Square.
Bed & Breakfast
There are very few true B&Bs in the central area of Melbourne. You’ll really need to venture further afield into some of the inner suburbs to find good B&B options. Check out Victoria’s B&B association if you’re interested in this style of accommodation.
Hotels
Melbourne has some swish hotels. As you’d expect of a city that’s becoming sexier and more sophisticated by the nano-second, there are some fabulously indulgent hotel options if you’re in a hedonistic mood. They are joined at the umbilical cord to sexy, sophisticated and STEEP prices, but if that doesn’t scare your purse too much there is definitely a good range to choose from.
Daggy sister to sparkly, sassy Sydney for many years, Melbourne is only now truly coming into her own – notwithstanding her snugly fitting blouse. Federation Square and the Arts precinct along St Kilda road is bubbly and buzzy with shows and performances all year round. The slinky wee laneways are about as sexy as you’d get in a sidewalk and the extension of the lush greenness along the north side of the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr has opened up the city to a host of great activities. Whirl around the circumference of the giant technicolour ferris wheel or lick a double-header mint choc icecream as you promenade along the river bank. With some early accommodation planning you’ll be able to enjoy all the gorgeousness of Melbourne’s CBD on your next short stay, corporate trip or weekend escape.
Getting Here
fly to Melbourne
Check out flight options on fly.co.uk
