Melbourne and Hong Kong - advice needed please

[Oakandacorns]

Hello Forumers

I’m planning a trip later this year to Australia and Hong Kong. Don’t have much holiday time to play with, but my destination is Melbourne, then Hong Kong on the leg home.

A) Has anyone got any tips about places to visit in and around Melbourne
B) Who has booked flights like this recently – any airlines with good prices? Can afford to fly economy only probs because have two destinations.
C) Any recommendations on budget hotels in Melbourne (not in a chavvy area) or any affordable hotel chains (like Premier Inn here)

I will be flying from Heathrow.

 

[a11y]

Jealous! I've not been to Melbourne but I did visit Cairns, Ayers Rock, Sydney, Surfers Paradise and Brisbane during a 3-week holiday (our honeymoon!) in Dec 2006. We mostly stayed in youth hostels with the odd expensive hotel, but don't worry they're totally different to UK-style youth hostels: private ensuite rooms but still with the facilities that you'd expect (communal kitchens, etc). We stayed in the Sydney Central YHA: swimming pool/sauna on the roof with a great panorama view, central location, great rooms.

There are 2 YHAs in Melbourne
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/vic/melbourne/melbourne-metro/
or
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/vic/melbourne/melbourne-central/

Not sure if that's anything like what you had in mind, but I'd recommend them for a cheap(er) accommodation option.

 

[jaxZ4]

Hi

We stayed in quite a cool little hotel in St Kilda area of Melbourne - service was fabulous - very young and trendy - ideal for you ! Didn't think the Ozzies do chavvy as such but plenty cool bars and restaraunts around wth easy tram links into central Melbourne.

See link below. Let me know if you want more Melbourne info - I have a niece living there.

We also stayed in one of the Hong Kong Youth Hostel hotels on another occasion but not he rather flash one on the waterfront.

http://www.hotelurban.com.au/melbourne

 

[jamiez]

On point C) i stayed here in Melbourne http://www.roycehotels.com.au/ and despite it being classified as 5 star boutique it was pretty reasonably priced. Although I was on a work gig so possibly my rate was reasonable due to company rate - but you can ask at least!

 

[Oakandacorns]

Thank you everyone for the advice so far:

..There are 2 YHAs in Melbourne
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/vic/melbourne/melbourne-metro/
or
http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/vic/melbourne/melbourne-central/

Not sure if that's anything like what you had in mind, but I'd recommend them for a cheap(er) accommodation option.

Ally, I am looking forward to it. YMCA hostel, didn't occur to me. Had a look at the website. Ooh they are posh. A quick quote brings up 11 nights at end September in Melbourne Metro YMCA at approx $1155. And Melbourne Central at $1265. I am taking my Mum and I think she would be fine in a hostel too. Melbourne Metro has a lovely outdoor seating area. The pictures of the bar in the Melbourne Central look good.

Hi

We stayed in quite a cool little hotel in St Kilda area of Melbourne - service was fabulous - very young and trendy - ideal for you ! Didn't think the Ozzies do chavvy as such but plenty cool bars and restaraunts around wth easy tram links into central Melbourne.

See link below. Let me know if you want more Melbourne info - I have a niece living there.

We also stayed in one of the Hong Kong Youth Hostel hotels on another occasion but not he rather flash one on the waterfront.

http://www.hotelurban.com.au/melbourne

Hi Jack! Thanks for the link. I Love the look of that hotel. That is definitely my type of hotel if I’m not camping it up. It’s about $240 a night, so it might be a good idea to do a couple of nights at the end of the trip as a luxury? What time of year did you got to Melbourne? I have no idea what to do there, apart from enjoy the sun and mainly for my Mum and I to catch up with our old friend and her son +family who live there. I have not seen her son since I was about 5 years old. I would appreciate any tips your niece has.

Hong Kong - which hostel did you stay at? Was it okay? We're staying with friends in HK, but it would be useful to know incase I need to get away from them

I might just have to tell Mum that we are camping!! Only about $9 a night if I'm as tight as Ally

All, did you try driving there? Trams scare me!?!

 

[Oakandacorns]

On point C) i stayed here in Melbourne http://www.roycehotels.com.au/ and despite it being classified as 5 star boutique it was pretty reasonably priced. Although I was on a work gig so possibly my rate was reasonable due to company rate - but you can ask at least!

Jamiez, thank you for the tip. I like you company, because that's a sweet hotel too. They don't seem to have availability for September to November. Strange. But a quick search on August brings up cheapest double room at $220. Not bad at all, and for such a swish looking place.

Hm, I can feel the money dropping out of my purse as I speak.

Getting into the momentum of planning this trip! And trying to do some work for a deadline too. Hm, priorities??!

 

[Zed Five]

Ha! 'Australians don't do chavvy'. No, that do 'bogan' instead.

Watch you credit card with taxis at Melbourne Airport. Skimming very common..

 

[jaxZ4]

Hi again J

Loads to do / see in Melbourne - yes we did drive there - if only from the airport to hotel where we left car for a few days then later drove to Adelaide - driving is fine but both are pretty big cities so sat nav needed. Trams are fine - don't be scared !

Didn't realise Urban Hotel so expensive but we found most of Oz expensive - largely exchange rate driven really.

We hired bikes in Melbourne which was fun and seen lots - visited Rod Laver tennis centre, rode round city, right along the beach road for miles. I do remember getting lost looking for a museum mind which was apparently easy to find - according to my niece - I'll PM you her contact details.

I'm talking rubbish re Hong Kong though - sorry - it was one of at least 2 YMCA Hotels - just not the flash one at Kowloon.