HotelChatter - Melbourne

Melbourne's Adelphi Is Evolving ... For The Better

amandak — 2008-05-09T09:15:01-05:00

When we looked at the Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne about 18 months ago, our conclusion was that it just didn't match the hype. Turns out others agreed with us but since some new owners took over just about that time, things have been looking up.

It's a slow process because, according to the new owners, it's all about "evolution, not revolution". They have opened a spa complex on the ninth floor, and in quite a unique deal, this spa is run by staff from a beauty therapy college nearby--and even wait staff in the restaurant and reception staff are graduates of the college, so whoever you speak to knows all about the spa treatments too.

Melbourne's Hotel Lobbies Have Good WiFi, But Same Can't Be Said For Guestrooms

amandak — 2008-03-18T13:53:14-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/Westin_Lobby_Melbourne.jpg" class="imgborder"> While we're quite sure now that decent WiFi access is a very hit and miss affair in Europe, we're not yet sure how a laptop fares Down Under. Since we're considering a trip to Melbourne, we've done a bit of digging on hotels in Australia's second city that offer a good (and preferably free) WiFi service, and got a couple of tips from blogger <a href="http://monkeyjedi.blogspot.com/2006/06/free-wireless-in-melbourne.html">monkeyjedi</a> who's been tracking down some good WiFi spots across Oz.If you're looking for a big chain hotel, then the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/The+Westin+Melbourne/ian/173178">Westin Melbourne</a> offers complimentary broadband internet and wireless connectivity in all public areas, and it's also available in guest rooms. A little bit sneakily, we think, there is a charge if

Australian Open Inspires Melbourne Hotel List

amandak — 2008-01-09T11:10:54-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/Melbourne_Landmarks.jpg" class="imgborder"> Tennis action in Melbourne starts on Monday with the Australian Open, and that gave the New York Times the incentive to run a round-up piece on Australia's oft-ignored but second largest city. As well as a few tips on sightseeing at the jail and places to eat good "pub grub", they gave three ideas for places to stay, depending on the kind of accommodation you're after.The transformed warehouse surrounds of the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Adelphi+Hotel/ian/120813">Adelphi Hotel</a> were on the top of their list, although last time we looked into it, the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2007/7/3/8337/49362/hotels/Melbourne%27s+Adelphi+Hotel+Doesn%27t+Quite+Stack+Up">guest opinions</a> didn't quite bear out the good reputation this place has.For those after a "cheap and cheerful" hotel--all you need but without luxury, yet at a

An Airport Hotel Wins Best Accommodation Award, Really!

amandak — 2007-10-10T11:08:33-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/MelbourneHiltonAirport.jpg" class="imgborder"> We're not exactly prejudiced against airport hotels but we do kind of have low expectations of them: they don't usually have to compete against too many other hotels and they're the kind of place you stay just for a night, more out of convenience than actually wanting a great place to stay. But apparently in Melbourne, Australia, you can have your cake and eat it too.At the recent <a href="http://www.aha.org.au/home.html">Australian Hotels Association</a> annual awards, the winner of the Overall Accommodation Hotel of the Year was the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hilton+Melbourne+International+Airport/ian/197946">Hilton Melbourne International Airport</a>. Exactly what criteria are used to judge this aren't revealed, but this award does make it basically the best hotel in Australia.And it does seem like

Melbourne to Get Biggest Hotel Down Under

amandak — 2007-10-05T09:17:27-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/3873/CrownCasinoComplex.jpg" class="imgborder"> Melbourne's about to get the biggest hotel in Australia, when businessman James Packer's group get approval to build a new hotel in the Crown Entertainment Complex, which surrounds the Crown Casino. It's already a posh place to stay with two hotels in the complex, the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Crown+Towers/ian/119168">Crown Towers</a> (which is also going to get an upgrade as part of this process) and the <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Crown+Promenade+Hotel/ian/217632">Crown Promenade</a>.The A$300 million project plans to be ready for business in May 2010, and is all part of a confident idea that Melbourne will continue to grow as an international tourist destination. The new (as yet unnamed) hotel will have 658 rooms, and the whole Crown hotel complex will have a total