Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Seeking Melbourne hotel recommendation

We're going to be in Melbourne for a couple of days on a Circle Pacific in November, and are looking for hotel recommendations. We know nothing about Melbourne at this point, so if you know something in an interesting area, please let us know.

Thanks.

Have a look at www.wotif.com.au. It will show most, but not all, hotels in Melbourne. The week from Sat 1st Nov to Sat 8th Nov is Melbourne Cup week (horse racing). Many hotels will be sold out that week

We'll be there at the end of November, so I'm not worried about that. What are the different areas in Melbourne? I see entries for Melbourne and Melbourne CBD, but don't know one from the other.

CBD is central business district. CBD is the area marked as "Melbourne" in http://www.whereis.com. Type in Melbourne and zoom in and out.
Look in this thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=567379) (posts 13, 14, 37 & 38) for more info about Melbourne. Most first time visitors stay in the CDB.

Thanks.

I'm guessing you may a preference based on FF membership?

Have stayed at the Hilton on the Park and had an awful experience

Park Hyatt is good but probably not worth the extra $ over the Grand Hyatt

If you don't have an FF loyalty I can highly recommend Hotel Lindrum! We stayed a few years ago and it was super, really enjoyed it.

It's quite small (a boutique hotel ~ they had a pillow menu:D ) and in a great area. We were in walking distance to lots of interesting points ~ Mr. Soames had a good look at the cricket grounds too. The city is full of great restaurants!

www.hotellindrum.com.au

I'm guessing you may a preference based on FF membership?
Very slight. Not enough to pay a hefty premium.

I usually stay at the Westin; expensive but worth it (good location, amenities, room quality and quiet!). But there are a dozen good hotel choices in Melbourne, you cannot go far wrong (Hilton OTP is maybe the one bad choice). Wotif pricing varies between bargain (low) and higher than rack rate, so don't assume you are getting a good deal unless you research further.

you cannot go far wrong (Hilton OTP is maybe the one bad choice)
What's wrong with the Hilton? I was looking at that or the Grand Hyatt as possibilities.

The Hilton OTP is rather run down in places; the building owners have been trying to pull it down for several years and build a megaplex, but can't get planning permission.

It's various floors have differing eras of furnishing.

And they still call it a Cat IV hotel? Thanks for the scoop. Looks like I'll try for the Grand Hyatt.

The Grand Hyatt is undergoing very extensive renovations at present. I would avoid it if possible. The place is very unattractive with whole parts of the hotel walled off, breakfast served in a conference room, no restaurant in the evening, a tiny lobby that is highly functional. The renovations won't be finished by November 2008, as they are planning to open the new project by the end of the first half of 2009. They are obviously refurbishing some the rooms. An unfurbished room is very ordinary. But even a room on a newly refurbished floor is not that special (I saw one last week). There is currently jackhammering, and there has been for the last few months, commencing at 7:00am.

If you must go for a Hyatt, the Park Hyatt is very good. But the Westin is without doubt the best hotel in Melbourne currently.

That's certainly disappointing to hear about the Grand Hyatt.

If you must go for a Hyatt, the Park Hyatt is very good.
We're not locked in, just trying to get good value for points.

But the Westin is without doubt the best hotel in Melbourne currently.
I just don't see it being worth 16,000 SPG per night (P+C is not available).

Maybe we'll just take our chances and Priceline it.

What's wrong with the Hilton? I was looking at that or the Grand Hyatt as possibilities.

Small rooms, dated decor, dirty bathrooms, staff who couldn't give a damn and a GM that replies to your complaint but ignores all of your issues - never, ever again!

Hi, stayed at the GH last night, the room and club floor were great, but other than a mini reception, that was all I saw. The front and sides are boarded up, there's no reception lobby, no shops, no restaurants, in fact they hit me AU$517 which I thought was a bit steep, considering it was a very late checkin. My suggestion is the Sofitel. regards bkkrop

We stayed at the Hilton for 3 nights last December after Xmas and could not have been more delighted. I posted a rather extensive review at Tripadvisor.

Yes, the hotel was an older property, but the rooms were quite serviceable, the staff was wonderful, and we found it quite convenient (there is no need for a tourist to be in the CBD, particularly if you plan to take advantage of some of the sights that are outside downtown - and IMO those were the more interesting places).

If you are looking for a hip place or 5* luxury than this is not the place for you. But it is at least on par with the average US Hilton, or better. Our rate wasn't much above priceline so we booked direct to get the points.

Small rooms, dated decor, dirty bathrooms, staff who couldn't give a damn and a GM that replies to your complaint but ignores all of your issues - never, ever again!


I hear ya' - it feels about as dirty as the Holiday Inn @ Suva. Yech.

I had a great conversation there with some sentient mould in the shower - you wouldn't believe the take mould had on the musings of Valentine Michael Smith. Maybe it was Martian mould? But I digress...


Sofitel on Collins everytime for me. Hop across the street for dinner @ the club, tram station right out front, plasma telly with the funky touchscreen Dr Evil room controls, unbeatable views. Great food, great afternoon tea, great Club Sofitel lounge - everything great.

Except (are you reading, Accor lurkers???) NO DAMN POOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and there's no pool. But they do have Lanson champagne and Boags. And, unlike most hotels in Victoria, they know what Hunter Valley Semillon is.

That's certainly disappointing to hear about the Grand Hyatt.
...I just don't see it being worth 16,000 SPG per night (P+C is not available).

Maybe we'll just take our chances and Priceline it.

If you could PL the Westin I would be amazed.
Has anyone here been able to get it on PL? How far out from the booking night?

I'd venture to suggest it is worthwhile at the discounted direct rate if it is below $300AUD and you get a Plat amenity/miles. :)

If you could PL the Westin I would be amazed.
By "Priceline it", I didn't mean specifically the Westin, I just meant the trip.

The only Westin I've managed to PL was Mammoth Lakes CA, for this coming Friday night....

Westin Melbourne!