By Lindy Percival
Spacious and functional: Citadines is within close proximity to Melbourne's main attractions.
Melbourne's Citadines apartment hotel is the ideal location for a weekend of shopping, sporting events, dining and theatre.
THE LOCATION
At the Spring Street end of Bourke Street, the newish Citadines apartment hotel is well placed for a weekend of shopping, sporting events, dining and theatre. The city's major drawcards, including its retail heart, Crown Casino, MCG, Rod Laver Arena, laneways, bars, restaurants and theatres, are all within walking distance. From the hotel's upper levels, there are sweeping views across the city skyline and beyond, to the bay on one side and the Dandenongs on the other.
THE SPACE
Citadine's two-bedroom apartments are located on the upper floors of this 25-storey hotel. Spacious and functional, they include a generous living room with TV area and dining setting, a well-equipped kitchen suitable for self-catering, a master bedroom with en suite, second bedroom and large main bathroom with two-person shower. It's an ideal set-up for families or two couples, with enough space to allow time out from fellow guests. The muted decor is dominated by white and greys; artworks and soft furnishings lift the mood with the odd splash of lime green and orange. The wow factor comes from the view, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a dizzying perspective on rooftops and city streets. Melbourne's beguiling architectural mix provides a pleasing backdrop as the sun sets, after which you can lie in bed and watch the town light up.
THE KIT
The kitchen includes a two-burner stove, microwave oven, full-sized fridge and dishwasher. There's crockery and glassware for six, plus enough pots and pans to throw together a decent meal. The lounge area includes a TV and DVD/CD/iPod player and the second bedroom has its own TV. There's a combination washer and dryer plus ironing board and iron. A safe in the main bedroom is big enough to take a laptop and other valuables. An onsite fitness centre includes lap pool, sauna and gym equipment. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel.
COMFORT FACTOR
A three-seater couch and two armchairs are on hand in the unlikely event that you opt for a night in. The beds – a king-size in the main bedroom and choice of a king or two singles in the second are soft, and the doonas and pillows fluffy.
WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR
Daytime offers the lure of mainstream retail outlets two blocks down in the Bourke Street Mall, while indie clothing and design boutiques crowd nearby laneways. The Fitzroy Gardens, Federation Square, the National Gallery of Victoria and Exhibition Buildings, though further afield, are also within walking distance. At night, a two-block radius takes in the city's most stately and busiest theatres – The Regent, Her Majesty's, The Comedy and The Princess. In coming months, their ever-changing line-up of musicals and theatrical events will include Once, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake and The Lion King. Some of the city's favourite fine-dining establishments, such as Grossi Florentino and Flower Drum, are a short stroll away, and the much-photographed Pellegrini's lures the hungry with well-priced pasta and great coffee. A block away, Chinatown offers a noisy selection of traditional and contemporary Asian eateries.
THE VERDICT
Citadines offers comfortable and reasonably priced serviced accommodation in a central location with plenty on offer. Reception staff are efficient and helpful. The mix of guests lining up at check-out time – from international flight crews to sporting fans, families and interstate visitors burdened with shopping bags – suggests this is a place that ticks a broad range of boxes for locals and visitors alike.
HOW TO GET THERE
Citadines is at 131-135 Bourke Street, between Russell and Exhibition Streets. Trams run past the door and the nearest train station is Parliament. Phone 1800 766 377; see citadines.com.au.
ESSENTIALS
Studio apartments with kitchenette start at $170 per night, one-bedroom apartments from $215 and two-bedroom apartments from $340. There are limited overnight parking spots costing $30 and airport transfers are available.
The writer paid for her stay.
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