111 Little Collins St, Melbourne, Australia | (618) 248-8274
Central location on Little Collins Street
Spacious, well-maintained rooms, all with kitchenettes
Spa baths in all bathrooms
Competitively priced for an upmarket center city hotel
Inviting indoor pool with a whirlpool
A well-equipped fitness center
Room decor is a bit bland
Noise can be a problem on lower floors
Fee for Wi-Fi
Valet parking service can be slow
Located on one of central Melbourne's most colorful streets, the upscale Stamford Plaza offers apartment-style accommodations with some upmarket amenities and a smaller price tag than nearby luxury competitors. The hotel gets the basics right (there's a well-equipped fitness center and an indoor pool), but nondescript interior design and a disappointing restaurant may underwhelm those looking for a more memorable stay.
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Scene
Plain decor and a mixed crowd give the hotel an anonymous feel
The Stamford Plaza's spacious-but-plain lobby and long black check-in desk sum up the mood at the hotel: no-nonsense. Whereas other upmarket hotels in central Melbourne focus on atmosphere and interior design, the Stamford Plaza and its staff seem to prize efficiency above all else -- which seems to suit the diverse clientele just fine. Guests include business travelers who like the central location, families who are attracted to the spacious suites and kitchenettes, and local residents looking for a weekend staycation that won't break the bank.
Location
Little Collins Street combines central-city convenience and laneway charm
Running parallel to the chi-chi Collins Street (home to Melbourne's priciest designer boutiques), Little Collins Street -- where the hotel is located -- manages to feel both tucked away and lively. Some of Melbourne's most fashion-forward stores are along this stretch, as well as a number of excellent mid-range restaurants. Located in the southeast corner of the Central Business District, it's an easy walk from the hotel to most of central Melbourne's attractions. Trams are plentiful on Collins Street, and on nearby Flinders and Swanston Streets as well. Taxis tend to avoid one-way Little Collins, but hailing one on Collins Street should pose no problem.Melbourne Airport is about 30 minutes' drive away.
Rooms
Comfortable rooms, but a lack of personal touches
The hotel's unfussy aesthetic extends to the suites, which feature patterned beige carpeting and velvet-covered couches that are sophisticated, but feel bland to some. Small inclusions that set other hotels apart, such as stocked bookshelves or fresh flowers, are absent here. On the plus side, even the smallest suites are spacious; the bathrooms include spa baths, good-quality robes, and plenty of hotel-branded toiletries; the minibars are well stocked; and the kitchenettes are functional (just remember to ask reception for utensils).
Features
Fitness features impress, but the lack of food options may frustrate
The health amenities here are on par with most upscale hotels. The top-floor pool features a retractable roof for alfresco swimming in the warm months, and the fitness center is modern with plenty of equipment. Less impressive is Harry's Restaurant, which has the feel of a cafeteria rather than a sophisticated venue. The food tends toward overpriced, and the restaurant is not open for dinner on Sundays. The room service menu consists solely of burgers, and is only available when the restaurant is open. Those traveling by car may be taken aback by the $50/day fee for valet parking, but it's actually one of the less expensive parking options in central Melbourne. Because vehicles are parked some distance from the hotel, and because Little Collins Street is one-way, it can sometimes take 30 minutes for cars to be retrieved.
