Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Best MEL hotel (CBD) ~ US $150-175 ?

suggestions?

thanks,

Patrick :-)

Hi, in that price range The Stamford Plaza and the Hilton Docklands would be your best buys, the Hilton is so close, I have included it in your CBD request. My suggestion is to go onto Wotif and buy a 5* mystery hotel which will sell for $175+, I would put money on it that it's the Hyatt, regards bkkrop

thanks for the info! I saw the wotif site, but was not too sure if I would get something unusual.

so, i did a priceline.com bid for US$100 and I got one night at the Mercure Hotel Melbourne on Spring Street.

I think it should be fine for the one night.

Also, from the airport in MEL, I could just get the Skybus right to the hotel correct?

Should I but a roundtrip bus ticket online now, or just get it when I arrive at MEL?

Patrick :-)

Online will save time. If you arrive during the day, they have complemtnatry shuttle buses to take you across the city from the Spencer St terminus to Spring street.

If it's for one nigh and you intend to use the complimntary bus to take you back to spencer st; arrange this when you arrive inbound.

Online will save time. If you arrive during the day, they have complemtnatry shuttle buses to take you across the city from the Spencer St terminus to Spring street.

If it's for one nigh and you intend to use the complimntary bus to take you back to spencer st; arrange this when you arrive inbound.


Thanks for the info, but to make sure that I am not confused...

I arrive into MEL at 1040am, and at the airport, I would just take the Skybus directly into the CBD, and they could drop me off at the Mercure correct?

Im confused as to what the Spencer St. Terminus is? lol

Online will save time. If you arrive during the day, they have complemtnatry shuttle buses to take you across the city from the Spencer St terminus to Spring street.

If it's for one nigh and you intend to use the complimntary bus to take you back to spencer st; arrange this when you arrive inbound.


i think i am catching on, so should I have the Skybus drop me off at the Spencer St. Terminus? (Southern Cross Station)
:-)

You don't have a choice: the big Skybus goes from MEL to the Skybus station in Southern Cross rail station. From there you can either get your own transportation, or use the free Skybus mini-buses which run around the CBD to various hotels. Fine if you have lots of time to kill :)
Your hotel is basically on the opposite end of the CBD (not far, but about as far as it is possible to be). There is a tram (free) that goes there, along with other trams (that are paid -- inspectors spot-check with big fines for those caught evading the fare).

As for your question of best hotel in that price range, you can sometimes get the Windsor at that price (historic gold-rush hotel) and definitely get the Grand Mercure on Swanston. The Westin/Hyatt/Sofitel/Park Hyatt would be over $200 and closer to $300 now. Your hotel is fine and well-located; eat at The European (on Spring St.) ... really good food and the 2nd best coffee in Melbourne (which means far better than the best coffee in Seattle, Portland or SF much less the rest of the US).

i think i am catching on, so should I have the Skybus drop me off at the Spencer St. Terminus? (Southern Cross Station)
:-)

That's the only place they'll drop you off. :) As per serfty's post you can then 'connect' to a "mini-skybus" service which shuttles people from Spencer St (Southern Cross) to various city hotels (this is included in the price of your skybus ticket). This service does not operate around the clock like Skybus does, but still covers early morning till mid-evening. You need to 'book' your hotel->Spencer St connection for depature, but do not need to book inbound to your hotel.

you are all so wonderful for this help! xoxo

i went to the Skybus site and did some research.

I will buy my ticket online now to save me the trouble, and I also saw this on their site:

What do I need to do?

Arriving at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine

* You do not need to book the SkyBus Hotel Service to get to your hotel.
* From Melbourne Airport, take SkyBus to our Melbourne city terminal situated at Southern Cross Station (in Spencer Street).
* You then transfer onto a SkyBus Hotel mini-bus, which delivers you to your hotel or motel. No booking is required and the mini-buses are available during operating hours (refer above).

Thanks again!

Patrick :-)

you are all so wonderful for this help! xoxo

i went to the Skybus site and did some research.

I will buy my ticket online now to save me the trouble, and I also saw this on their site:

What do I need to do?

Arriving at Melbourne Airport, Tullamarine

* You do not need to book the SkyBus Hotel Service to get to your hotel.
* From Melbourne Airport, take SkyBus to our Melbourne city terminal situated at Southern Cross Station (in Spencer Street).
* You then transfer onto a SkyBus Hotel mini-bus, which delivers you to your hotel or motel. No booking is required and the mini-buses are available during operating hours (refer above).

Thanks again!

Patrick :-)

Just to be clear you need to book your return from hotel to Southern Cross if you intend to use Skybus back to Tullamarine and you must book a day in advance at least. You can actually book the return when you first arrive at Southern Cross.