Have a look at the Victoria Hotel, http://www.victoriahotel.com.au we always use it when visiting there, it,s very central and whilst more on the budget side, we've always found it more than adequate. The airport shuttle stops at the door, so location wise you could'nt better it Alan

We Stopped at the holiday Inn on flinders,Its right by a free tram that took you right round the city plus its also close to main train station as well,plus other trams,there web site says theres self-laundry facilities,Its also 5 mins walk to the crown complex and casino
we found the meals expensive in the hotel and the crown complex had a food hall and some reasonable priced food upstairs

We found melbourne an easy city to get round,we really liked the market got some bargins up there.

we was there for 3 nights and it was very quiet,didnt hear a thing,and rooms were a decent size.....

link to website...all the best have a great time...

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/MELSF

Thanks yeltzman. I'm familiar with the Holiday Inn chain of hotels so would know roughly what to expect. Can I ask another question? Review sites give the hotel a good review but I picked up on a couple of points regarding the location. One reviewer went so far as to say it was in the wrong part of town. Is it in an area where we could walk everywhere and at any time of the day and night, or would we have to use transport. Could you also give me an idea of how far it is to walk to Flinders Street Station as that would give me some idea of distances.
Babs135

We walked along the river bank from the Crown casino complex at night,and did see a couple of shady people,but i would say that you would see that an any major city.i would say be about 1/2 mile 10-15 mins walk to flinders st station,but theres another station close by,the hotel is right next to the Rialto tower and we walked to the telsta shopping complex and stadium 5 mins away.
if you look on google maps it is in the bottom left of the city so wouldnt say its right in the middle,but it really isnt a big city,you got the stop for the free tram about 2mins away,and stops for other trams close by,We never felt unsafe thats all i can say,but all i will say is like in any other major city,just be careful.....hope you have a lovely time,if you do stay there i say again i thought the prices in hotel were expensive,the crown complex wasnt too bad,and for breakfast we went to top of the street and turned right a little chinese owed cafe,,was ok...have a lovely time..

That location on Flinders would be a good base. You are only 5-10mins walk from most things including all the shopping streets, Federation Square, Flinders St Station, Aquarium, Southbank complex, Cooks House in Fitzroy Gardens and many more.

All this talk of £120 a night budget per night makes me laugh. We were on a 9 month trip and £120 paid for all 4 nights in our Hostel on King Street.

Melbourne is a great city. It is less touristy and has more of a local feel than Sydney.

I appreciate what you say about budgets and to some extent £120 was a figure just plucked out of the air. However, hubby and I are now at a time of our lives when we crave a little more in the way of luxury than we did 40 odd years ago!

Babs,

I completely agree with you, it was purely because we were on a budget travelling for 9 months that we booked hostels in same cities. £120 isn't really that much these days, the York Premier Inn is often £100 during bank holidays and they are supposed to be a budget hotel chain!!!

Whichever hotel you decide on, have a great time.

HI
We are staying at the http://www.sofitelmelbourne.com.au/cpa/htm/htm_home.asp?page_id=0ver chrismas (23-28 .12.08) and the cost is (with breakfast) around £125 per night for a double, not bad i thought ill let you if the hotel is as good as it looks!!

Thanks for the help that has come in so far. We are seriously considering the Holiday Inn on Flinders, but wondered if anyone had stayed at the Mercure Welcome on Spring Street or the Citigate on Flinders Street. Citigate seems to be the ideal location and the reviews I've looked at seem to be positive, but it would be appreciated if anyone on Holiday Forum has stayed there and could help.
Babs135

Should have said in previous post that I believe the Citigate Hotel used to be the Ramada.

Babs135

We stayed in the Ramada a couple of years ago and found it to be a perfect location.Didn't know it had changed names but if it's the same hotel well worth considering.

Decision has been made. After a long chat with the travel agent he suggested the Grand Mercure on Swanston. He had stayed there himself very recently and felt that it would suit us. (If it doesn't can I sue him?!!! )

Hi babs135

The hotel you have picked is ok we stay there a lot when we are in Melbourne it is good value for its price and it is in the centre of the city