City Centre Budget Hotel

Sitting in the shadow of the opposite Sheraton Melbourne Hotel, this simple property may not be fancy, but it ticks most of the necessary boxes, and its location at the Paris end of Melbourne CBD is excellent. Feeling much like a hostel, there are no dining options aside from a guest-use kitchen, nor indoor common areas, but a plant-filled roof terrace with wood-framed armchairs, coffee tables, loungers, and swing seating give the youthful crowd here a chance to mingle. Decor is straightforward and contemporary. Colorful walls and city photography make rooms here a pleasant surprise (for the price), but there are peeling wall paint in the kitchen and the tiny lobby's sofa and old carpeting are drab. Note, reception isn't staffed 24/7, but buzzer codes are provided for late arrivals.

Melbourne CBD stretches from the west's high-rises, to the eastern "Paris" end, where cafe culture and heritage buildings earned the nickname, and the hotel occupies a great spot here. Immediate surrounds of both cheap and upscale cafes, restaurants, 24-hour supermarkets, and a McDonald's are within a four-minute walk, and Parliament Station's subway is one minute on foot. Multiple tram stops are within a block, and they include free trams for city-wide access. These shorten the 20-minute walks to MCG's cricket, Etihad Stadium, Federation Square, and happening Southbank district, although you can walk to Chinatown and Melbourne Town Hall in eight minutes. Nearby trams run to Flinders Street railway station. Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport is a 33-minute drive, or 47 minutes, by Skybus and tram.

Compact rooms are simply outfitted, although hardwood floors, white or colorful walls, and city photos of London or Paris are contemporary and stylish. The Single, Twin, Double, or bunk beds (in Family Rooms) are comfy. Basic comforts include desks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and kettles for tea- and coffee-making, but air-conditioning is not provided, only fan. Upgraded Studio Suites have living areas with sofa beds and dining tables, plus kitchens with fridges, hobs, microwaves, toasters, and utensils. These also have en-suite shower-equipped bathrooms, while all others are shared (though clean, and there's rarely a wait). No toiletries aside from liquid hand soap are provided, and hairdryers can be borrowed from reception. Larger rooms can accommodate cribs. Wi-Fi is free, but the signal is intermittent in some rooms,. Note that upper-level rooms are reached by stairs, and there have been some complaints of noise, either from nearby bars or internal movement.

Limited features here keep prices attractive, but the lack of any indoor lounge, bar, or restaurant is definitely a drawback. The rooftop terrace, however, is pleasant, outfitted in cushioned wicker or light-wood box seating. An awning provides shade, although a few loungers and swing seat allow guests to catch some rays. The small, 24-hour kitchen is well-placed next to it. The low-frills kitchen has an oven, microwave, stove, and cook ware, and a tiny seating area with dining space for two. It's also the site for coin-operated washer/dryers. Guest PC use and luggage storage after check-out are free, and reception can organize city tours. On-site parking is at a fee. Pets are not permitted. Wi-Fi is free throughout.