5 Incredible Luxury Melbourne Hotels

Sometimes we just need a little bit of luxury in our life. When travelling, this is the perfect time to indulge. No need to worry about lumpy beds, drunken bunkmates stumbling into the room in the middle of the night, or dodge looking hotels. Treat yourself to a relaxing holiday getaway. When travelling to Melbourne, here are some of our favourite luxury hotels. They're so lovely you'll want to spend your entire trip relaxing indoors. 

The Grand Hyatt
Located in the heart of one of the best shopping streets in Melbourne, the Grand Hyatt will help anyone achieve the boujee holiday they crave. For some of the most epic views of Melbourne, request a room above the 20th floor. The Grand Club Lounge allows panoramic views of the city skyline. With a kitchen, bar, and fitness centre open 24/7, there's a little something for everyone at the Grand Hyatt! 

Sofitel Hotel
Situated on Collins Street, close to Parliment Station, Sofitel Hotel is another incredible lux hotel that will leave you relaxed and never wanting to leave. The floor to ceiling windows offers incredible city views. Sofitel Hotel is located to many Melbourne must-see attractions and world-class dining. 

Pro tip: If you're on a budget but still want to see the impressive views of the Sofitel Hotel, go to the loo on the 35th floor. This public toilet allows for some of the most incredible, free views of the city!

The Langham
Situated on the opposite side of the Yarra River, the Langham Hotel is near the hustle and bustle of the Southbank Promenade. The views are to die for at the Langham! Even the pool has spectacular views of the city! You'll be situated close to Crown Casino so you'll never have to worry about missing out on an adventure. 

Crown Towers
What's better than being right next door to the Crown? Actually staying in the Crown! Almost every single room has stellar views of the Yarra River and city skyline. Get treated like royalty with the many amenities Crown Towers has to offer. Treat yourself to a spa day, workout at their top-notch gym, or go gamble in the Casino and pretend like you're in Vegas. Either way, your stay will be memorable.  

InterContinental Melbourne
With luxury hotels all around the world, incredible deals and perks for their hotel ambassadors, and high-quality customer service, what isn't to love about the InterContinental Melbourne? The beautiful facade of the building is a beautiful welcome to the luxurious stay you will have. The location is absolutely perfect! You're close to trams, trains, access to the airport, and incredible food and shopping. Everything about your stay will scream luxury!

If you were staying in Melbourne, which one of these luxury hotels would you choose? Have you ever stayed in one of the hotels listed? What was your experience like? 

And until next time...

Stay curious! 

7 Tips for Exploring Melbourne in Under $50/day

If you're caught up on my most recent posts, you may be second guessing whether or not a holiday to Australia is for you. A delightful holiday can quickly turn into a costly one. But that doesn't need to happen! It is super easy to explore Melbourne on a budget. Here are my tips and tricks for travelling around Melbourne for under $50 a day! 

1. Utilise free public transportation
When travelling by tram in the CBD, it is completely free! You never have to worry about touching on or off as long as you stay within the free tram zone. Utilising the free tram zone will get you to all of the must-see attractions within the CBD. 

Planning on travelling outside of the CBD? There are a couple options for getting low or no cost travels. Check the various backpacker travel groups on Facebook. Many people will offer free rides to a destination you may want to see. If travelling with people you're unfamiliar with doesn't quite sound like something you want to do, try using Uber Pool or Ola. With Ola, you get $25 worth of travel for free! Uber Pool also gets you from point A to point B at a super discounted price. 

2. Plan your meals
Eating out will take a massive chunk out of your daily budget. Even eating at Macca's can run you $12/meal. Don't waste all of your budget on food! Prep your meals ahead of time! If you're rushing around the city, you can easily pack light, filling meals to hold you over till you're at your hotel. Most hotels and hostels have a kitchenette area. You may not be able to prepare everything you would back at home, but you'll still be able to throw some delicious food together! 

You can find great deals on fresh produce and meats at the local markets or supermarkets. Not only are you getting fresh, healthy meals, but you're also saving heaps on your budget. Want to shop for your meals and see one of Melbourne's most iconic sights? Queen Victoria Market has some of the cheapest fresh produce and meats in the city! 

3. House sit, couch surf or stay in hostels
Accommodation can cost you a pretty penny while in Aus. If you're not too fussed about staying in a fancy hotel, there are plenty of ways of finding low to no cost accommodation. 

Housesitting websites allow you to stay for free in exchange for watching someones house and possibly their pets as well. There are some housesitting websites you can use. However, it may take some time building up a profile that allows people to trust you. Start by housesitting in your local area so that by the time your trip comes around you'll be well established. 

Couchsurfing is another excellent way to have free accommodation while travelling. Not only will you get free accommodation but you'll also be able to get an insiders perspective of the city. They will be able to share tips and tricks that most tourists won't get to experience. Just be sure to trust your gut. If you feel wary of the person before your stay, don't stay with them. 

Hostels are another incredibly cheap way to stay while in Melbourne. The staff is always super knowledgeable about getting around the city and what to see. Many hostels also have discounted tour prices if you want to explore the Yarra Valley, see the Penguin Parade, or tour the Great Ocean Road. 

4. Limit your alcohol intake
Alcohol is friggin' expensive in Australia. You will easily blow your entire budget just going out a couple nights. The most obvious thing to do to save your budget is to not drink while in Australia. For some, you enjoy going out having a drink or winding down your day with a nice glass of wine. If you are going to drink in Australia, here are some money saving tips. 

First, buy directly from the bottle-o. This will be much cheaper than buying a pint at a pub. Second, opt for wine over beer or spirits. Wine is more inexpensive than bottled water here in Australia. Your dollar will go much farther when drinking wine. Last, drink during Happy Hour. This is when you'll find great deals on drinks. There are many pubs and restaurants around the city with incredible happy hour deals. 

5. Take advantage of the free sights
There are so many cheap or free sights in Melbourne. When you're on a budget, you must take advantage of them. Many sights are located within the CBD, but there are other impressive free sights scatter across Melbourne. Love to stay active and rock climb? There's a free outdoor bouldering wall in Burnley. Do you like to window shop? Take a trip to Chadstone and see all the lovely shops. Just be sure you're not tempted to buy anything!

6. Use docket deals
When shopping at Woolworth's or Coles, your receipt contains discounts both on the front and the back (when you sign up for a free rewards card). Even if you're only there for a short period of time, these docket deals give discounts for alcohol and for food. It's a great way to help stick to your budget! 

7. Groupon is your friend
I don't know about you but I LOVE a good deal. For the longest time, I had forgotten about Groupon. I honestly thought the site had shut down. But recently, I found it and it's become my best friend. As I don't have extras on my health insurance, I've found discounted physio appointments, discounts on car services, discounted restaurant deals, and more. Groupons is PERFECT for keeping you on budget whilst in Melbourne. Be sure to utilise it! 

How do you stick to your budget while travelling? Share your budget-friendly tips in the comments below!

And until next time...

Stay curious! 

5 Budget Friendly Hotels in Melbourne

You've probably heard Australia is expensive as to visit. But does a holiday to Australia really need to break the bank? If you're not fortunate enough to have friends in Australia, not brave enough to try Couchsurfing or are just not that keen on hostels there are options for cheaper accommodation. I've found some of the best hotels within the CBD for under $100/night! 

Arrow on Swanston
Approximately $74/night, this hotel puts you in walking distance of the Queen Victoria Markets, State Library, and free public transportation. Arrow on Swanston is super accessible from the airport so you won't be wandering around the city aimlessly. With easy access to restaurants, bars, and cafes, you'll definitely enjoy your stay!

There are also plenty of amenities such as a swimming pool, gym, laundry facilities, and a kitchenette. Wanting to be a bit more active? The Arrow is situated close to an indoor rock climbing facility, gorgeous gardens, and walking trails. 

City Centre Budget Hotel
City Centre Budget Hotel will situate you right next to Parliment Station. It may not be the most modern of hotels, but you cannot beat the location nor the price of approximately $65/night. With it's incredibly close proximity to trains and trams, you'll easily be able to navigate the CBD. The staff is incredibly friendly and super helpful. If you're unsure where to start on your tour of Melbourne, just ask the staff! 

City Centre Budget Hotel has a beautiful rooftop area. It is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of exploring. Or grab a drink and watching the sunset. 

Great Southern Hotel
Situated right next to Southern Cross Station, this hotel allows for easy travel to and from the Melbourne Airport. For just $62/night, this is the perfect place to call home during your Melbourne adventures. With easy access to all the incredible spots in the CBD, you'll be happy you chose to stay here. 

Bayview on the Park
While this hotel may not be in the CBD, it does overlook Albert park. This gorgeous park is where the Grand Prix is raced, along with a massive lake and many walking trails. The pristine views will leave you relaxed and ready to tackle the hustle and bustle of the CBD. 

Bayview on the Park is situated close to a tram stop so getting into the city will be no trouble at all. At around $75/night it may be a little pricier than some other places on the list, but the view is totally worth it! 

Hotel Claremont
Ok so this hotel isn't exactly in the CBD, but if you're a younger traveller on a budget or someone who likes to have a good time Hotel Claremont is for you. Situated a skip, hop and a jump away from Chapel Street and the train station, there is no shortage of a good time. At about $68/night and a buffet breakfast, you'll be ready for your day. 

With these budget-friendly hotel options, you'll be able to spend more money on sightseeing, shopping, and the incredible food all within Melbourne. If you're still looking to travel Melbourne on a budget, why not check out one of the many free activities in Melbourne has to offer or other ways to tour Melbourne on the cheap. 

If you were visiting Melbourne which one of these hotels would you choose to stay? If you've travelled to Melbourne before, where did you stay? Did you enjoy it?

And until next time...

Stay curious! 

How Expensive is Australia?

Australia is a wonderful country to visit. There is a rich cultural history, beautiful beaches, amazing hikes, and incredible food. It can be the trip of a lifetime. However, it can also be a costly one. Australia is an island which means what isn't made in Australia is imported, and it's expensive to import to an island. 

So if you want to travel to Australia, stay in hotels, always eat out, get around the city and country, and shop, how much money will this holiday set you back?