Melbourne accommodations welcome you to a destination nicknamed “Garden City”.
Melbourne known for: sporting events, historic prisons, beaches, shopping areas, produce markets, museums, theaters, art galleries, parks, gardens, reserves, street art, nightlife, kangaroos, wallabies
Located in southeastern Australia and tucked inside the horsehead-shaped, enclosed bay of Port Phillip, Melbourne is about half-way between Adelaide and Sydney (bow-line shape). Roughly 300 miles south of Melbourne (across Bass Strait), the island of Tasmania is home to the unique Tasmanian devil (carnivorous marsupial). Zig-zag shaped in places and sourced by the Upper Yarra Reservoir, the Yarra River (brown in coloration due to clay deposits) flows through central Melbourne near the Docklands area.
Keep in mind that Melbourne can get cool during winter months. Melbourne generally is considered safe, though it’s best to remain vigilant at night in the Central Business District. Remember not to block tram exits. Though appreciated, tipping is not customary in restaurants apart from exceptional service. Melbourne accommodations are some of Australia’s best. Before we get to Melbourne accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Melbourne Cricket Ground, 1878
Aboriginal Australians likely inhabited the Melbourne area for at least 40,000 years. Colonel David Collins established Victoria’s first British settlement (Sullivan Bay near Sorrento – part of New South Wales’ penal colony) in October, 1803. Due to a perceived lack of resources, however, the Collins-era settlers relocated to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), where they founded the city of Hobart. John Batman (Australian grazer, entrepreneur & explorer / Port Phillip Association member in Van Diemen’s Land) explored the Melbourne area in May / early-June of 1835. Batmans Geelong deed (June 6, 1835 deed) saw Batman’s purchasing of 600,000 acres of land near the Yarra River’s northern bank. John Batman returned to Van Diemen’s Land following the deed’s execution with the intention of establishing a village at his Yarra River spot. Two months later another group of Van Diemen’s Land settlers arrived in the Melbourne area. A month after that Batman returned, and the two groups agreed to share the settlement (Dootigala). Briefly the settlement was known as “Batmania”. After annulling John Batman’s deed, however, New South Wales’ Governor Sir Richard Bourke declared the area the Port Phillip District of New South Wales’ administrative capital in 1836. Bourke renamed the city to “Melbourne” on April 10, 1837 (honoring British Prime Minister William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne), and in the same year the “Hoddle Grid” (street grid) was laid out. Located on the corner of Elizabeth & Bourke Streets, Melbourne’s first general post office opened in the city’s first year as well. Queen Victoria’s June 25, 1847 Letters patent (monarch’s published written order) declared Melbourne a city, which effectively made it a corporation. On July 1, 1851 The Port Phillip District separated from New South Wales, becoming the Colony of Victoria with Melbourne as its capital. That same year gold was discovered in Victoria. The ensuing gold rush saw Melbourne, the colony’s major port, grow rapidly. An overflow of European and Chinese migrants caused slums (ex. Chinatown) and a tent city on the Yarra River’s southern bank to pop-up. Political changes occurred following the “Eureka Rebellion”. Many of Melbourne’s most significant buildings were constructed during the 1850s and 60s. Inner suburban plans were also rolled out. In 1853 the Melbourne Cricket Ground opened. The great Victoria gold rush had subsided by 1860, though Melbourne continued to mine gold while exporting wool. By 1865 Melbourne had overtaken Sydney as Australia’s most populous city. An 1880s land boom was accompanied by the establishment of a high-pressure piped water system (Melbourne Hydraulic Power Company – 1886). Hydraulically powered, elevators would allow for the construction of the city’s first high-rise buildings. A few years later (late-1880s), however, boosterism (deceptive promoting of a city) led to the bursting of local financial and property industry bubbles, and a severe economic depression would ensue. Banks and building societies collapsed and limited companies went into liquidation. An early-1890s depression, followed by an 1893 banking crisis, hamstrung new construction efforts until the late 1890s. Australia’s six British self-governing colonies would then unite to form the Commonwealth of Australia (Federation of Australia – January 1, 1901). The first federal parliament convened at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building (May 9, 1901). For about 25 years Melbourne would become the seat of the federation’s government. During World War II Melbourne hosted American soldiers (Melbourne Cricket Ground), who were fighting the Empire of Japan. Post-WWII immigration boosted Melbourne. Boutique shops and open-air cafes opened at the “Paris End” of Collins Street. Central Business District height limitations (buildings) were lifted in 1958 and the city’s first skyscrapers were introduced. A reminder of the early Victoria gold rush, 1970s financial / mining booms were met by 1990s economic decline. Melbourne was Australia’s worst-affected major city during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019–2023), with 6 lockdowns totaling 262 days.
Home to around 5 million “Melburnians”, Melbourne is the Australian state of Victoria’s capital and most populous city. Garden City’s oldest area, the aforementioned Hoddle Grid is now home to the Central Business District (CBD). 77 skyscrapers measuring at least 490 feet in height help create the city’s skyline. Melbourne accommodates nearly 12 million visitors per year. The 1850s Victoria gold rush made Melbourne one of the world’s premier Victorian-era cities, architectural examples of which can be spotted in the inner suburbs. Located between hot inland areas and the cool southern ocean, Melbourne is known to have unpredictable weather at times due to the “southerly buster” (abrupt wind change – unique to the area). Spring / summer cold fronts can bring gales, thunderstorms and hail. Generally Melbourne summers are warm / hot and winters are cool / mild. Summer highs average in the upper-70s °F, while winters stay in the high-50s.
Melbourne local foods: lamb roast, meat pie, chicken parma, spag bol (spaghetti Bolognese), salt and pepper calamari, barramundi (fish – smooth, buttery, sweet flavor), pippies in XO (clams w/ sauce made from dried seafood), dim sim, banh mi (Vietnamese bread), Anzac biscuits, gozleme (Turkish flatbread & pastry dish), fairy bread (children’s food – bread with sprinkles), Tim Tam (biscuit candy), doughnuts (hot jam)
mojito
Popular drinks: wine, beer (craft), cocktails, frozen cocktails, coffee
Rum was actually one of Australia’s first forms of payment (for goods).
With a little background information on the area, we’re ready for Melbourne accommodations that will help make for an exciting trip.
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, à la carte, continental or vegetarian breakfast, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, desks, 24-hour front desk, private parking
Nearby restaurants / pubs:Kazuki’s Restaurant (fine dining restaurant), Da Guido La Pasta (Italian restaurant), Lord Lygon (restaurant), Epocha Restaurant (European restaurant), Kantin (Indonesian restaurant), Osha Thai Carlton (Thai restaurant), Panda Hot Pot (hot pot restaurant), Hi Chong Qing (Chinese noodle restaurant), Torissong (Syokudo and Teishoku restaurant), Fattie Prince (Middle Eastern restaurant), THE CURTIN (pub), The Lincoln (pub)
Hotel amenities: restaurant, à la carte breakfast, indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safety deposit boxes, hairdryers, Arabic, Mandarin, Greek and English-speaking front desk staff, currency exchange, concierge service
Marvel Stadium | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, breakfast (surcharge), garden, indoor pool, spa, sauna, steam room, hot tub, gym, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, bellhop, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms, conference center, electric vehicle charging point, parking
St Kilda Road | Shrine of Remembrance | Royal Botanic Gardens | Albert Park Lake
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, outdoor furniture, lobby fireplace, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, bellhop, luggage storage, laundry facilities, business center, conference center, parking
So there they are, Melbourne accommodations that will help make for an excellent trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most of all, that you enjoy your time in Australia!
London accommodations invite you to a destination nicknamed “The Big Smoke”.
London known for: iconic clocktower, iconic bridge, football, pubs, shopping areas, red buses, black cabs, palaces, towers, country houses, abbeys, churches, museums, art galleries, theaters, concert halls, event venues, markets, parks, gardens, ancient forests, squares, bridges, stadiums, arenas, golf courses, tea houses
Located in southeastern England, London is about 120 miles southeast of Birmingham and 80 miles northwest of Dover. Greater London spans 611 square miles. Flowing through London the 215-mile River Thames (England’s longest river) rises in Gloucestershire’s Cotswold Hills at Thames Head and empties into the North Sea.
When driving try to stay out of yellow boxes (road markings – yellow crisscross grid of diagonal lines painted on the road surface) and bus lanes (may result in fine). Honking is known to occur at yellow boxes. London cyclists and pedestrians are not shy of vehicular traffic.
Rapid transit system:London Underground (world’s oldest subway system – aka “the Underground” & “the Tube”)
When traveling to London there are some things to keep in mind. Places like Oxford Street and Leicester Square can get crowded. Most museums are free and least-busy on weekdays or nights. Sneakers are good to pack. Riding the second deck of a bus can be a fun experience. On subway escalators be sure to stand to the right. London accommodations are some of the United Kingdom’s best. Before we get to London accommodations, let’s take a look at some more background information on the area to help you along the way.
Winston Churchill – Downing Street, London – 1940
Timber discovered from a Bronze Age bridge (upstream from Vauxhall Bridge) has been radiocarbon dated to somewhere between 1750–1285 BC. Downstream from Vauxhill Bridge the foundation of a large timber structure (4800-4500 BC) has been unearthed. Roman London became the area’s first major settlement in 47 AD following a Roman invasion four years prior. In 61 AD Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe stormed the Roman settlement and razed it to the ground. However, the Roman’s retook and rebuilt the area, with Londinium becoming the Roman province of Britannia’s principal city by 100 AD. Roman rule collapsed in the early 5th century when the walled city of Londinium became abandoned. Known as Lundenwic an Anglo-Saxon settlement developed around 500 AD just west of the old Roman city. Viking attacks, beginning in 851 AD, brought decline in what had again become a relatively major port. Around this time London fell under Danelaw. Laws of the Danes presided with the Danish warlord Guthrum ruling over East Angles, from London to Chester. Danelaw was agreed upon between Guthrum and the West Saxon king, Alfred the Great. Alfred retook London from the Vikings circa 886, as recorded by the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. This “rebuilding” of Londinium saw to Lundenwic’s abandonment and the revival of life and trade within the old Roman walls. Westminster Abbey was founded circa 959 AD as a monastery dedicated to Saint Peter. William the Conquerer was crowned King of England in 1066 after winning the Battle of Hastings. William went on to build the Tower of London. In the mid-14th century Black Death brought carnage to nearly a third of the city. The 1361 Peasants’ Revolt resulted in the sacking of the Tower of London, mass execution of royal officials, charters being granted to rebel towns and a subsequent rebel suppression / execution of rebel leaders. Prior to being expelled by Edward I (Edward Longshanks) in 1290, England’s Jewish population had been centered in London. A gradual shift to Protestantism occurred during the Tudor “Reformation” period. London property passed from church to private ownership. The Royal Exchange‘s founding in the 16th century created monopoly traders like the East India Company, which expanded trade to the New World. During the early-17th century English Renaissance Theatre-period Richard and Cuthbert Burbage built the Globe Theatre, where the Lord Chamberlain’s Men were rehoused and William Shakespeare wrote many of his most famous plays. The 5th of November, 1605 Gunpowder Plot was an unsuccessful regicide attempt against King James I by a group of English Catholics to include Guy Fawkes. Eight plotters were sentenced to drawn and quartering and hanging. Beginning in August 1642 the English Civil War between Parliamentarians and Royalists resulted in a Parliamentarian victory, the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England. The Great Plague and the Great Fire of London were tragic 17th-century events. London’s first professional police force, the Bow Street Runners formed circa 1750 (rampant crime). Starting with George II in 1762 Buckingham House grew over the next 75 years into Buckingham Palace. The early-19th century brought Fleet Street, a center of the British press. Around this time the Royal Navy was considered the world’s leading war fleet. Urbanization occurred during the Industrial Revolution. Teashops were founded on “High Streets” during the early-20th century. During the First and Second World Wars, London was bombed by the Germans via Blitzkriegs, or “lightning war”. Wembley Stadium hosted the 1948 Olympics. From the 1970s into the 1990s, bomb attacks occurred in London as a consequence of The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
The United Kingdom’s capital and largest city, London today is home to nearly 9 million “Londoners”. London’s most affluent neighborhoods include Kensington and Chelsea, while the West End is a place to find entertainment and shopping areas. 42 of the city’s skyscrapers exceed 492 feet in height, with The Shard rising highest at 1,016 feet. London operates one of the world’s busiest airport systems. Heathrow Airport alone handles around 84 million passengers annually. The Big Smoke itself accommodates around 20 million visitors per year. Over 300 languages are spoken in London. Characterized by a temperate oceanic climate, London experiences warm / hot summers and cool winters. July summer high temperatures average around 75 °F while January winter highs average 46 °F. Rain falls about a third of the year, with October typically being the rainiest month. Although heavy snow is rare, snowfall does occur during winter.
Nearby misc.: Zamarut – Speciality Coffee (coffee shop), The Pilates Klinik (Pilates studio), bar bar co (barber shop), St Botolph’s Church Hall (event venue), St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate (place of worship), Saint Botolph-without-Bishopsgate Gardens (garden)
Nearby misc.:Guerlain Spa at Raffles London (spa and health club), ESPA Life at Corinthia (day spa), One Whitehall Place (wedding venue), Great Scotland Yard (notable street), The Civil Service Club (club), Old War Office Building (Churchill’s WWII headquarters), Whitehall Gardens (park), Trafalgar Theatre (performing arts theater), The Gurkha Soldier Statue (monument)
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, full breakfast (surcharge), library, lobby fireplace. spa, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, bellhop, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms, conference space
Hotel amenities: multiple restaurants, bar, English breakfast (surcharge), terrace, garden, library, lobby fireplace, spa, sauna, steam room, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, bellhop, luggage storage, laundry facilities, business center, meeting rooms, conference center
Theatre Royal Haymarket | Her Majesty’s Theatre | Leicester Square | Regent Street
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, full breakfast (surcharge), indoor pool, library, spa, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, bellhop, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms
Hotel amenities: multiple restaurants, award-winning bar, 16-yard swimming pool, spa, treatment rooms, health club, sauna, steam room, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs
Nearby sculptures / statues: Mary Poppins Statue, Statue of William Shakespeare, Paddington Bear Statue, Charlie Chaplin Statue, Gene Kelly Statue, Mr. Bean Statue
Hotel amenities:restaurant,bar, buffet / Full English breakfast, city views,air conditioning,free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kettles, desks,hairdryers, 24-hour front desk
Hotel amenities:restaurant, resistance pool, spa,fitness center, antique furnishings,modern technology, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, desks, mini-bars, hairdryers, complimentary treats,fresh flowers, fine fabrics, 24-hour front desk
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, garden views, spa, sauna, steam room, fitness center, art deco style, original artwork, antiques, free Wi-Fi, luxury bathrooms with black and white marble heated floors
Sicilian Ave | Bloomsbury Square | Lincoln’s Inn Fields
Hotel amenities: restaurant, bar, full breakfast (surcharge), terrace, gym, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, concierge services, luggage storage, laundry facilities, meeting rooms
Hotel amenities:bar,terrace, air conditioning,free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs,coffee machines,mini-bars,desks, safety deposit boxes, à la carte, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast, concierge service,bicycle rental service,shuttle service
Nearby misc.: The Garden Room at The Lanesborough, The Bath House (health spa), Bahar Babacan Beauty UK (beauty salon), Mr J Therapy (massage therapist), The Green Park, Royal Artillery Memorial (monument), Live At The Wellesley (event venue), Caledonian Club (social club)
Hotel amenities:restaurant, bar, buffet, à la carte or continental breakfast, city views, indoor pool, sauna, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee machines, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, Arabic, Mandarin, Danish and German-speaking front desk staff, private parking for an extra charge
Hotel amenities: 2 restaurants (including a Michelin-starred), bar & lounge, spa, fitness center, 24-hour in-room dining, city views, flat-screen TVs, iPads,marble bathrooms
Hotel amenities:restaurant, bar,spa, fitness center,park views,19th-century style, modern amenities,air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, in-room tablets, tea / coffee making facilities, daily wake-up service, personal butler service
So there they are, London accommodations that will help make for an incredible trip. We hope you have found this information valuable and most importantly, that you enjoy your time in England!
London accommodations
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
