Australian Accommodation

When searching for accommodation I would recommend researching Melbourne hotels as there are many lovely places to stay in Melbourne near the river where you will find many cafes, restaurants and great entertainment.

The two accommodation venues that I would recommend are the InterContinental Melbourne, otherwise known as The Rialto, and the Kingsgate Hotel.

The Rialto is a 5-star, luxurious hotel which is one of the finest accommodation choices in Melbourne’s CBD. There are 253 deluxe and king suites to chose from, each with a mini bar, satellite TV and in-room movies. It is located on the world famous Collins Street that hosts upper class shopping, dining and entertainment. The Rialto is actually a unique National Trust Classified building that has been internally renovated to provide a contemporary and modern stay. The 19^th century architecture is grand with stained glass windows, wrought iron rails and cobblestone pathways. This is a historical experience that you will not forget. The Rialto is only 20 minutes from Melbourne’s International Airport and is walking distance from Telstra Dome, Crown Casino and Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. There is an indoor swimming pool, sauna, spa and many relaxing options for you to unwind. From only $220 per night, The Rialto is the finest in luxury, combining historical monuments as a heritage-listed building with modern features that can be customised to your requests.

For a more cost conscious option, you should consider the All Seasons Kingsgate Hotel for your stay in Melbourne. The Kingsgate Hotel offers award-winning Melbourne city accommodation for great value packages. You will receive high quality facilities, superior service and a convenient location that is central to all the necessities and areas of interest. These include the international and domestic airport, public transport such as trains and buses, pubs and clubs, parklands, river and beaches. It is also walking distance from Melbourne’s star attractions including Direct Factory Outlets (DFO), Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Crown Casino and Entertainment Centre.

Rooms start from just $89 per night which includes access to facilities such as an onsite restaurant, bar cafe and lounge as well as 24hr reception, free luggage storage and guest laundry. Squizzy’s Cafe, Bar and Lounge provides a dining experience for all meals, with wood panelling and leadlight to create a historical buzz. Bergerac is the internal French restaurant that can hold up to 90 people as well as private and corporate functions. Thus, there is a range of onsite resources at your fingertips. The Kingsgate Hotel is more suited for the leisure traveller or backpacker, with a range of rooms available to suit most, if not all needs.

Melbourne prizes itself as Australia’s cultural precinct for good food, wine, art, museums, entertainment and more for the unique individual. Successful tourism campaigns include, ‘You’ll love every piece of Victoria’ and ‘It’s easy to lose yourself’, as well as ‘Victoria, you’ll never want to leave’. So let me explore why the capital, Melbourne fits these campaigns to a tee.

Firstly, Melbourne has a multicultural mix of people from more than 100 countries! This in itself shows that you will experience the cultures of the world all at the one hot spot. In particular, Melbourne has the largest Greek community outside of Athens, so it’s not surprising there is the finest in Greek cuisine and dancing!

Melbourne has been referred to as having a European feel about it, in terms of the fashion, restaurants, architecture, Yarra ‘canal’ and the overall culture. Not to mention the weather that is unpredictable and quite dark in the winter months. However, this is not to stop you from experiencing Melbourne at its finest.

Melbourne is unique in that through a narrow alley way you will find a standalone bar or restaurant that is really popular. The winding alleyways unearth mysterious discoveries. I remember when I recently visited Melbourne with some friends and took an adventure of my own down Beaney Lane to find Melbourne’s most exclusive nightclub, ‘The Spice Market’. This is a must see for those who enjoy a good night out on the scene with hanging bird cages, large Buddhist statues, scattered fruit bowls, a central waterfall and not to mention what happens when you request a bottle of expensive champagne where uniformed girls march to a celebratory song to deliver your purchased prize!

However, the main highlights include the vast array of shopping finds, the Australian Open Tennis in summer, the big Victorian Markets, the grand Crown Casino, IMAX Theatre, Luna Park, Melbourne Zoo and the beautiful Yarra River that is central to the Melbourne precinct. You will never be bored in Melbourne! Make sure you go to the Victorian Arts Centre that is in the heart of the city, home to Melbourne’s music, dance and drama scene alongside the Melbourne Concert Hall, Sunday Market and Performing Arts Museum which is one of the world’s best theatre museums.

Take a ferry or river cruise down the Yarra River to see all the sights and sounds of Melbourne. So that’s Melbourne in a nutshell, where there is something amazing for everyone to experience.