Melbourne - Australia 2004 - page 538

Toad Hall “It's one of the best in Australia” is what one well-traveled
guest said of Toad Hall. I have to agree; this 1858 mansion offers excellent value.
It's just down the road from Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Central
train/tram station, and only a few minutes' walk to the main shopping areas.
Dorms are segregated by sex, with four to six bunk beds in each. Doubles and
twins are small, but like the dorms, are clean and quite comfortable, with
springy beds. I really liked the large communal kitchen, dining room, and out-
door courtyard.
441 Elizabeth St., Melbourne, VIC 3000. & 03/9600 9010. Fax [phone]. www.Toadhall-hotel.com.au.
85 dorm beds in 16 rooms; 8 doubles, 4 with bathroom; 12 twin rooms, 2 with bathroom. A$60 (US$39)
double/twin without bathroom; A$90 (US$58) double/twin with bathroom; A$25 (US$16) dorm bed. MC, V.
Parking A$6 (US$3.90). Amenities: Tour desk; coin-op laundry; nonsmoking rooms; roof garden; 3 TV
lounges. Inroom: Fridge, coffeemaker.
IN CARLTON
Albert Heights Executive Apartments For good, moderately priced
accommodations with cooking facilities so you can cut down on meal costs, you
can't go wrong with the Albert Heights, a favorite of American travelers. It's in a
nice area of Melbourne, a few minutes' walk from the city center. There are parks
at each end of the street. Each self-contained unit in this brick building is large
and attractive. If you want your own space, or are traveling with your family, you
can use the sofa bed in the living room. Each unit comes with a full kitchen with
a microwave (no conventional oven), dining area, and large bathroom.
83 Albert St., East Melbourne, VIC 3002. & 1800/800 117 in Australia, or 03/9419 0955. Fax [phone].
www.albertheights.com.au. 34 units. A$130 (US$85) double. Additional adult A$20 (US$13), additional child
A$15 (US$9.75). Ask about special deals. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Tram: 42 or 109; or a 10-min. walk to
city. Amenities: Jacuzzi; tour desk; car-rental desk; babysitting; dry cleaning; laundry service; nonsmoking
rooms. In room: A/C, TV, dataport, kitchen, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Georgian Court Guest House The comfortable Georgian Court's appear-
ance hasn't changed much since it was built in 1910—and it still fits like a
favorite shirt. The sitting and dining rooms both have high ceilings, and offer
old-world atmosphere. The bedrooms, furnished with little more than plain
pine furniture and a double bed, still have charm.
21 George St., East Melbourne, VIC 3002. & 03/9419 6353. Fax [phone]. www.georgiancourt.aunz.
com. 31 units, 21 with bathroom. A$99 (US$64) double without bathroom; A$119 (US$76) double with bath-
room. A$10-A$20 (US$6.50-US$13) surcharge during busy periods, such as the Melbourne Grand Prix and
other major sporting events. Additional adult A$20 (US$13), additional child under 15 A$13 (US$8.45). Rates
include buffet breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Tram: 75 from Flinders St., or 48 from Spencer St. Geor-
gian Court is behind the Hilton, a 15-min. walk from the city center. Amenities: Access to nearby health club;
tour desk; car-rental desk; coin-op laundry; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms. In room: A/C, TV,
fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe.
Quest on Drummond Very nice and functional three-star self-catering apart-
ments at a decent price are what you'll find at this good, semibudget option. All
apartments are modern and clean, and come with a full kitchen. One-bedroom
apartments also have a sofa bed. Breakfast items are available on request, but no
reception is on the premises (though the management is only a phone call and
a 2-min. walk away). It's within walking distance of the city center.
371 Drummond St., Carlton, VIC 3053. & 03/9486 1777. Fax [phone]. www.questapartments.com.au.
10 units. A$121 (US$79) studio apt; A$132 (US$86) 1-bedroom apt. AE, DC, MC, V. Off-street parking. Tram:
1 or 22 from Swanston St. Amenities: Access to nearby health club; babysitting; coin-op laundry; nonsmok-
ing rooms. In room: TV, kitchen, fridge, coffeemaker, iron.

Value