If you're travelling to
Melbourne but have to keep a tight rein on the purse strings, Dermott Brereton has done some groundwork in his home city and come up with some good bargain accommodation.
CLV Smart Stays
CLV Smart Stays offers university campus accommodation with great rates. When universities close for the Christmas break, student accommodation opens up to the public. From November to mid-February you can stay at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in secure, modern, fully furnished and self-contained accommodation. Enjoy facilities such as a heated outdoor pool, barbecue, gym, business centre and The Glasshouse, an entertainment space with games, music and pool table.
Formerly the Old Melbourne Hotel, the property, just 10 minutes from the city centre, was renovated in 2005 and offers two-bedroom studios with kitchen facilities. Rooms are separated by a locking sliding wall. Each room has flat-screen television and most have balconies.
The Nunnery
The old convent in the heart of Fitzroy is now a budget accommodation hotel. Rules have been relaxed since the early days but there are a few which must be adhered to. Rooms must be paid for in advance and you must not feed Brother Francis, the house cat, no matter how longingly he gazes at you.
The three-storey Georgian building built in 1888 has loads of character with sweeping hand-turned staircases, marble fireplaces, high ceilings and original period features such as stained-glass windows and lots of religious artwork and paraphernalia. It's split into two buildings between the budget accommodation and the guesthouse, and both have shared bathrooms.
The budget accommodation was once the home of the Daughters of Charity. Rooms are simple and pleasant and are made up of dormitory and double rooms. If you prefer something more private, the guesthouse next door is a beautifully restored two-storey 1860s building. You can book a room or the whole house!
Breakfast is included, and there's a kitchen, washing machine, lounge, games room, lockers, barbecue and travel information is provided.
The Nunnery is close to the nightlife of Brunswick and restaurants of Carlton. There's a tram right at the door, too.
Melbourne Central YHA
You're in for a pleasant surprise at this YHA. It's located in a heritage building and it's been beautifully styled. It's made up of male share and female share, twin and double private rooms. There are great views from the top and Bertha Brown's bar is a great New York-style meeting place.
Guests share kitchen and lounges. The hostel has electronic locks, flat-screen television, Internet cafe with wi-fi and a backpacker tour desk.
Location
Bargain accommodation across Melbourne.
Cost
CLV Smart Stays have accommodation from $55 per person a night in a two-bedroom studio apartment, access to all facilities including gym, games room and heated pool and onsite parking.
Nunnery Private Hotel accommodation staying in a 12-bed shared dormitory is $30 while private single rooms are $70. Breakfast, barbecue, popcorn and movie night are included. It costs $1200 a night to book the whole guesthouse. Pancake Sundays and a wine and nibbles night are also included.
Melbourne Central YHA accommodation starts at $28 per person a night for YHA members or $31.50 for non-members. Bed linen and a pass to the Melbourne City Baths are included.
YHA membership is from just $32.
Prices correct at October 15, 2009.
For further information
CLV Smart Stays Melbourne
5-17 Flemington Road
North Melbourne 3051
Ph: 1300 30 88 45 or (03) 8330 2000
www.clvsmartstays.com
The Nunnery
116 Nicholson St.
Fitzroy 3056
Ph: 1800 032 635 or (03) 9419 8637
www.nunnery.com.au
info@nunnery.com.au
Melbourne Central YHA
562 Flinders Street
Melbourne 3000
Ph: (03) 9614 7891
www.yha.com.au
melbcentral@yhavic.org.au
YHA Membership
www.yha.com.au/membership
