Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 11 . MELBOURNE
stay here. Otherwise, the suburbs are all exciting satellites, with good street life,
restaurants, and pubs—just a quick tram ride from the city center. (Transportation
from the airport to the suburbs is a little more expensive and complicated
than to the city center, however.)
If you arrive without booked accommodation contact either of the travelers’
information desks (& 03/9297 1814), located on both floors of the international
terminal and open daily from 6am to last flight, or the Best of Victoria Booking
Service at new Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square (& 03/9650
3663), Open weekdays 9am to 6pm and weekends 9am to 5pm.
IN THE CITY CENTER
Hotel Y All rooms at the Y are sparsely furnished and not overly large, and as
such do not represent such great value. The most expensive doubles and triples
have been refurbished recently and have a TV, a refrigerator, and air-conditioning.
The one-bedroom apartment has a queen-size bed with en suite bathroom,
and the lounge has a double pullout bed and a small kitchenette. A cafe on the
premises serves breakfast, lunch, and light snacks. The Y welcomes both women
and men. The hotel is situated right near the Queen Victoria Market and is a
short tram ride down Elizabeth Street or a 10-minute walk from the city center.
YWCA Melbourne, 489 Elizabeth St., Melbourne, VIC 3000. & 03/9329 5188. Fax 03/9329 1469. www.
ywca.net. 60 units. A$98–A$120 (US$64–US$78) double; A$109–A$131 (US$71–US$85) triple; A$185
(US$120) apt (for 2 people). Extra person A$17 (US$11). AE, DC, MC, V. No parking. Amenities: Cafe; access
to health club; tour desk; car-rental desk; coin-op laundry; kitchen; TV room. In room: A/C (more expensive
rooms only), phone, TV (more expensive rooms only), fridge, coffeemaker.
Ibis Melbourne Value The good-value Ibis is right next door to the bus station
and a short walk from the central shopping areas. The four-star rooms are
spacious, immaculate, and bright. Apartments come with kitchenettes and tubs.
All guests have free use of the pool, sauna, and spa just up the road at the historic
Melbourne City Baths.
15–21 Therry St., Melbourne, VIC 3000. & 03/9639 2399, or 1300/65 65 65 in Australia, 800/221-4542 in
the U.S. and Canada, 0800/44 44 22 in New Zealand. Fax 03/9662 9263. www.accorhotel.com. 250 units
(some with shower only).A$109–A$119 (US$71–US$77) double;A$149–A$169 (US$97–US$110) 1-bedroom
apt. Extra person A$30 (US$20). Children under 12 stay free in parent’s room. Ask about package deals. AE,
DC, MC, V. Parking A$11 (US$7).
Kingsgate Hotel Only a 10-minute walk from the city, this hotel is an interesting
place: it feels like a basic B&B, though a total refurbishment—“to attract
airline staff”—gave it a better look. From the outside, it resembles a terrace building,
but inside it’s a maze of corridors and rooms. The staff is very friendly. The
least-expensive “economy” rooms are for backpackers only. They’re dark and have
two single beds and a hand basin; there’s barely enough room to swing a backpack.
Pricier “executive” rooms, however, are light, spacious, and have a double bed (or
two twins) as well as en suite bathroom. A cooked breakfast costs A$7 (US$4.50)
extra. The 15 or so deluxe quad rooms have a double bed and two singles.
131 King St., Melbourne, VIC 3000. & 03/9629 4171 or 1300/73 41 71. Fax 03/9629 7110. www.kingsgate
hotel.com.au. 225 units, 104 with bathroom. A$69–A$99 (US$23–US$64) double; A$89–A$119
(US$58–US$77) triple; A$139 (US$90) deluxe quad. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$7 (US$4.55) a day at Crown
Casino, a 5-min. walk away. Amenities: Tour desk; executive-level rooms. In room: TV.
Oakford/Somerset Executive Apartments These serviced apartments,
located inside an 1884 National Trust–listed building, are some of the best I’ve
seen, and are a good alternative for travelers who like to cook their own food. The
spacious apartments come with full kitchens, including a dishwasher. Those in the