Cosmopolitan Hotel, Melbourne

The hotel sits on a corner of a busy street that leads to the center of St. Kilda and its famous bayside amusements. There isn't much to this simple property, though the lobby and the few common spaces that exist are pleasantly modern. Plenty of natural light floods into the ground floor, made brighter by white walls and fresh flowers, while modern seating areas provide spots to regroup. There's a cafe on the ground floor with monochrome decor and a relaxed atmosphere, though it's rarely busy, as most guests tend to take advantage of the dining options outside the hotel. An eclectic mix of travelers stay here, from families and couples to groups and solo travelers. Some business travelers also drop by, but facilities are mostly geared toward tourists. St. Kilda, after all, isn't the most business-oriented part of Melbourne.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel is a great base for anyone exploring Melbourne, but particularly those who want to be near the beach. It's just a five-minute walk from St. Kilda Beach, while the CBD is easily accessible from the tram stop down the road. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach central attractions like the Crown Casino Entertainment Complex, Royal Botanic Gardens, Flinders Street Rail Station, and the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. Closer at hand, the famous Luna Park amusements and Palais Theater are a three-minute walk from the hotel, while Acland Street's shops, bars, brunch cafes, and restaurants are two minutes away on foot. Flemington Racecourse is a 30-minute drive away, while Southern Cross Railway Station is a 20-minute drive. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport can be reached in around an hour by car, or 50 minutes by the Melbourne Skybus.

This small-scale hotel has a total of 86 rooms. They vary from Standard to Deluxe options, with some family-friendly rooms and studios adding small kitchenettes and extra living space. Multi-bedroom units are also available. All are minimally decorated, but modern enough, with gray and white color palettes and mid-tone wood furnishings. Bright windows let in plenty of natural light, while some add furnished balconies with street views. Standard in-room amenities are generous and include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, electric kettles, safes, and free Wi-Fi. White-tiled bathrooms are simple and modern, with walk-in showers and basic toiletries, while upgraded rooms add deep-soaking bath tubs. Guests should note that the surrounding area can sometimes be noisy at night, so light sleepers should consider packing ear plugs.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel offers somewhat basic facilities for guests, so don't expect a fitness center or wellness features. There's no full-service restaurant either, though there are plenty of dining options in the surrounding area. There's also a small lobby shop selling snacks and cold beverages, plus a range of essential travel items. Other facilities include a computer station, modern meeting room, and coin-operated laundry room. WiFi is free throughout the property.