Docklands Private Collection of Apartments

Offering a location by sporting and entertainment venue, Etihad Stadium, and NewQuay Marina's Promenade is a big draw here, where privately owned apartments afford a modern home-away-from-home feel. Apartments are divided between Value setups in the Digital Harbour building, where check-in is provided on-site, while Executive units occupy the NewQuay location's six towers with gym and pool access. These center around the bar and restaurant-filled waterfront promenade, although either location benefits from free, nearby trams running into Melbourne CBD. The look is contemporary and streamlined throughout, if a little sterile. There's no real common lounge space, but most guests spend their time in their spacious apartments or out exploring the city. 

Melbourne's Docklands sit west of the CBD, and the hotel's waterfront settings are pleasant amid modern high-rises. Guests here are allocated between two properties, each sitting either side of sports and entertainment venue, Etihad Stadium, which is within a five-minute walk, regardless of allocation. Stopping either right outside, or within a four-minute walk, free trams regularly run into Melbourne CBD, including Federation Square, Crown Casino complex, Chinatown, happening Bourke and Collins Streets, and Flinders Street Station. Southern Cross railway station (for Skybus airport shuttles) is about a 15-minute walk. Immediate surrounds offer restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport is a 25-minute drive, or 45 minutes via public transport.

Contemporary apartments are outfitted in a largely neutral palette of gray, beige, and wood-accented furnishings, with pops of blue or green in throw pillows or bed runners. White bed linens, walls, and glossy kitchen units are embellished with landscape or floral art decor and chrome decor. Apartments range from one to three bedrooms, falling into Value or Executive categories. Unfussy Value setups mostly lack views, and have no balconies (nor pool or gym access), while Executive categories have balconies with panoramic harbor views, and dining or study areas. All units have open-plan living rooms with fabric or leather sofa beds, flat-screen TVs with entertainment systems, free Wi-Fi, washer/dryers, AC, ironing facilities, and fully equipped kitchens with fridge/freezers, ovens, dishwashers, and all necessary cookware. Laundry and dishwasher detergent are provided, alongside towels, toiletries, and hairdryers. Clean white bathrooms have walk-in showers, plus tubs in some. Safes aren't provided, although reception can store valuables. Cribs require a fee. Note, housekeeping isn't provided daily, although regular apartment servicing is available for a fee.

Limited features here reflect the self-catering setup, although good on-site perks are available to guests booked into Executive-category apartments. These offerings vary between buildings, but an indoor or outdoor pool is guaranteed, and outdoor ones are well-placed for plenty of sun and great Docklands views. Outdoor pools aren't the biggest, and there are no loungers or umbrellas, but one offers decked bench seating, as well as a whirlpool. The indoor lap pool is larger. Gym fanatics will find LifeFitness cardio machines, resistance equipment, and free weights in a bright space. No meals or drinks are offered, although the marina's eateries are nearby. The Digital Harbour building (housing the front desk) has a meeting room for rent. There is no business center. Secure, covered parking is cheap for the region, and generally located on-site. Pets are not permitted. Wi-Fi is free throughout the premises.