Hi all,

Have booked flights to Sydney on 30th Nov 08 to stay with relatives and are looking for accomodation in Melbourne for a week to 10 days anytime before Christmas. Can anyone point us in the right direction for cheapish accomm or recommend a hotel etc. Really need to book something up and book flights, there are 4 of us, 2 adults, teenager and 9 year old. Any recommendations greatly appreciated, thanks very much!

If there are 4 of you I would recommend a serviced apartment as there are plenty around. For 3 to 4 star you may want to try Medina, Quest or Caroline who all have apartments all over Melbourne and it would depend where you want to base yourself. I would also ask for discount if you want it for 7 to 10 nights. Caroline apartments have just opened a new site in Brighton which is near cafe, shops etc, the beach and a 20 - 25 minute ride into town. You could also try Corporate Keys http://www.corporatekeys.com.au/?gcl...FRwvagod5E3BVg

Just do a google search on Serviced Apartments Melbourne and you will come up with loads.

Seems like you've got a good recommendation for accommodation but sometimes these places give lower rates to bookings from overseas, perhaps they feel sorry for anyone who is suffering the pommy economy. I'm sure you'll all enjoy Melbourne, so much to do there particularly for families. Transport is also good, as it generally is in the whole of Victoria, if you get a chance call into the transport office on the ground floor of the Town Hall in Swanston Street, pick up brochures on the free tourist bus and the free tram. Have a look at my travelblog, link below, for some details of our trip a few weeks ago, we usually go down there for a few days at least once a year. The tourist bureau in Federation Square is full of free maps and brochures, the staff in there are also very helpful and seem to like their work. There's another tourist kiosk in Bourke Street Mall, this one is staffed by volunteers, you might also find some volunteers in bright red uniforms around the busy areas.

Thanks both, some great info, particularly with regards to booking this end. Will look at the places recommended.

Will read your blog today Nigel, thanks.

We're renting an apartment with these people

www.australianhomeaway.com.au much cheaper than any of the serviced appartments I've looked at.

Apart from the inner city locations these places are not really ideally located for reccie trips IMO. For the same price or lower you can be closer to city and Mornington/beaches.

Are you looking to be close to the city or further out?

We have friends in Williamstown who ideally we'd like to be close to. If this isn't possible tho', it isn't a problem. We have had an offer to stay with them but bit of a squash. The purpose of the trip, just so that we can be pointed in the right direction, is to ascertain whether Melbourne is where we want to be living in a years time. As I have said, the relatives are in Sydney so we shall be there for the majority of our stay.
Melbourne, for whatever reason, appeals and although I appreciate 10 days is nearly not long enough to make up our minds, it is the reason why we are visiting and so we need accom best suited to having a look about whilst having a 'holiday' etc. Not asking for much hey! Thanks for all the replies, I am looking at sites already recommended and taking onboard comments in this thread, all greatly appreciated.

Just read that you want to be close to Williamstown. I will have a look around and send you a pm of places you can stay!!!!

Williamstown is nice Lovely beach and it is close to the CBD also good for public transport so you will be able to easily get around!

Lau x

Fab! Will be very much appreciated. I have heard it is lovely.

Rather than PM I thought I would post on here in case anyone else wants the info:


http://www.check-in.com.au/Melbourne...own_hotels.htm

http://www.wotif.com/hotels/australi...wn-hotels.html

Info on Williamstown - they have an accomodation section too!!!

http://www.williamstowninfo.com.au/

Hope that helps....

Lau