Melbourne Hotel Tips by leffe3 Top 5 Page for this destination

Rydges - Melbourne: Good value top end hotel Rydges Melbourne Review

It has all the comforts one would expect of a central, top end business hotel - but a little cheaper than the bigger multi-nationals such as Radisson (which is 100 metres from the front doors of Rydges).

18 storeys, big, open lobby with plenty of space for those meetings, waiting or simply reading the papers. Rooms a decent size, with all the mod cons you would expect. It's not super trendy or boutique style. It is what it is and it does it well. A decent bar/cafe on the ground floor, although there are so many excellent cafes in the vicinity personally, I did not make use of it at all.

Unique Qualities: You can persuade, if you try hard enough, for the reception to have the windows open. Typical of Melbourne city hotels, windows cannot be opened. But I managed with a lot of persuasion.

(Stayed here a couple of nights with work recently rather than having to schlepp home).

Good deals to be gained direct from the hotel website - especially if you join their loyalty scheme.

Address: 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Marque Hotel Melbourne (The): Cool & contemporary in St Kilda Urban St Kilda Review

I haven't stayed in this hotel but we use it for work, putting all our guests here. I have received no complaints other than the fact that front rooms can get a little noisy as they overlook the busy Fitzroy Street.

Its cool, its sleek, its contemporary. Staff are friendly and welcoming and its in a great location, only a few minutes walk to the bay and beach of St Kilda and surrounded by great restaurants/cafes and bars.

Standard rooms can be a little on the small size but nevertheless this is a great place to stay.

THIS HAS NOW GONE THROUGH A NAME CHANGE AND THE MARQUE IS NOW 'THE URBAN HOTEL'. IT'S NOT THE SAME - TO THE POINT WHERE WE NO LONGER USE THE HOTEL FOR GUESTS AS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED.

Unique Qualities: It is one of the few designer hotels in St Kilda - most of the hotels in St K are apartment hotels (with a couple of exceptions) and the Marque filled a much needed niche when it opened about 3-4 years ago.

Address: 35 - 37 Fitzroy St St Kilda, , Melbourne, VIC 3182

Comparison: about average

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel