380 William Street, Melbourne, Australia | (618) 248-8274
Peaceful, quiet location
Casual, low-key atmosphere
Spacious rooms, some with park views
Well-maintained fitness centre with pool and steam room
Bar and restaurant with focus on seasonal produce
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Slightly removed from sights and shopping
Few amenities in basic rooms
The Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens is a simple, upscale hotel by a pretty public park in the northwestern corner of the Central Business District. Spacious rooms have understated modern decor and free Wi-Fi, but only Premium rooms and above come with French presses, iPod docks, and bathrobes. A well-regarded restaurant and decent fitness facilities add to the hotel's appeal. Its quiet location contributes to a peaceful atmosphere, although it is a bit removed from area attractions. Those who prefer to be more central may want to compare rates with Citadines on Bourke or the Rydges Melbourne.
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Scene
An unassuming atmosphere suits the hotel's low-key clientele
Certainly, there are more glamorous places in Melbourne than the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens. But for those looking for a comfortable, yet well-appointed environment in which to relax – a place where you can wander through the lobby in your track pants and not feel underdressed – this hotel might fit the bill. Its competitive prices help make it popular with Australians visiting Melbourne from other parts of the country, and it also attracts overseas visitors familiar with the Radisson brand. It may be missing the opulence of The Hyatt and the trendiness of The Blackman, but for some travelers, that's part of what makes it appealing.
Location
Slightly removed from the action, but well-serviced by trams
The hotel lies in the northwestern corner of Melbourne's Central Business District, an area with fewer shopping opportunities and dining options than the southern half of the district. For some visitors, this is an advantage: the area around hotel is quiet at night and there are few drunken revelers to contend with. Others may wish they were a little closer to the action of Federation Square and Swanston Street. Reaching other parts of central Melbourne is made simple by the free City Circle tram, which stops right by the hotel's entrance. Walkers can reach Federation Square in about 30 minutes and taxis are plentiful in the area. As the name suggests, the hotel is across the street from Flagstaff Gardens, one of Melbourne's prettiest public parks. Queen Victoria Market, a bustling hub that sells everything from fruit to souvenirs, is a five-minute walk away. The airport takes around 20 minutes by car without traffic.
Rooms
Comfortable and quiet, but non-Premium rooms lack amenities
All of the hotel's rooms are quiet and immaculately presented, and many have sweeping views over the park. Decor is modern and a mix of gray and cream upholstery with light-wood furniture. Notably, all rooms come with free Wi-Fi – a rarity in Melbourne. The basic rooms feature small desks and ergonomic business chairs, plus flat-screen TVs, adequately stocked minibars, coffee/tea facilities, and access to a pillow menu. But many other features – such as bathrobes, coffee plungers, and iPod docks – are reserved for the those rooms rated Premium and above. Newspapers are free on request. Bathrooms throughout are functional, either with tubs or spacious showers and Vive toiletries.
Features
Compact gym with skyline views, pool, and steam room, plus food worth staying in for
The hotel's top-floor gym is compact but includes all the essential equipment, and offers views of the Melbourne skyline. The adjoining pool is too small for laps but effective for a splash about with the kids. There's also a steam room. HQ's on William, the hotel's restaurant and bar, gets consistently good reviews from guests and locals alike thanks to a well-priced menu that's focused on seasonal local produce. An extensive breakfast buffet is also available.
