Melbourne - Australia 2004 - page 540

and shower, a second with a shower, and the third with a Jacuzzi tub and shower.
There are wood floorboards and fireplaces throughout.
335 Beaconsfield Parade, St. Kilda, Melbourne, VIC 3182. & 03/9534 2683. Fax [phone]. www.
robinsonsbythesea.com.au. 5 units, none with bathroom, 2 self-contained studios. A$155-A$195
(US$100-US$127) double; A$95 (US$62) studio. Rates include cooked breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking.
Tram: 112 to Cowderoy St., St. Kilda. Amenities: Health club nearby; bike rental; babysitting; laundry service;
nonsmoking rooms. In room: TV, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
IN SOUTH YARRA
Hotel Claremont The high ceilings and the mosaic tiles in the lobby wel-
come visitors into the interior of this old-world hotel. It's an attractive place,
though sparsely furnished. The AAA-rated two-star rooms are comfortable
enough, and each comes with either a double or a single bed. There is no eleva-
tor in this three-story building with 72 stairs, so it could be a bad choice for trav-
elers with disabilities. Internet access is available.
189 Toorak Rd., South Yarra, VIC 3141. & 1300/301 630 in Australia, or 03/9826 8000. Fax [phone].
www.hotelclaremont.com. 80 units, none with bathroom. A$68 (US$44) double. Additional person A$10
(US$6.50). Children stay free in parent's room. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. On-street
parking. Amenities: Coin-op laundry; nonsmoking rooms. In room: TV.
The Hotel Como Winner of many tourism awards, the Hotel Como
deservedly basks in its reputation for excellent service and terrific accommoda-
tions, which include studio rooms (some with shower only), one-room suites
(some with kitchen or kitchenette), one- or two-bedroom suites (all with
kitchen, some with an office), and luxurious (and pricey) penthouse and execu-
tive suites. Some units have a private Japanese garden. The hotel is especially
adept at accommodating business travelers: all rooms have video-conferencing
capability and three complimentary limousines carry guests to the city center
each weekday morning. Weekend packages are very good value.
630 Chapel St., South Yarra, Melbourne, VIC 3141. & 1800/033 400 in Australia, 800/552-6844 in the U.S.
and Canada, 0800/389 7791 in the U.K., 0800/446 110 in New Zealand, or 03/9825 2222. Fax [phone].
www.mirvachotels.com.au. 107 units. A$600 (US$390) studio; A$680 (US$442) 1-bedroom suite; A$800
(US$520) 2-bedroom suite; A$930 (US$604) penthouse; A$1,300 (US$845) Como/Executive Suite. Ask about
weekend package deals. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking $15 (US$9.75). Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; indoor pool;
health club; Jacuzzi; sauna; bike rental; game room; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business center;
salon; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry cleaning; nonsmoking rooms; currency
exchange. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, CD stereos, dataport, kitchen, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron,
safe.
4 Where to Dine
Melbourne's ethnically diverse population ensures a healthy selection of inter-
national cooking styles. Chinatown, in the city center, is a fabulous hunting
ground for Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, and Vietnamese
fare, often at bargain prices. Carlton has plenty of Italian cuisine, but the out-
door restaurants on Lygon Street are aimed at unsuspecting tourists, and can be
overpriced and disappointing, so avoid them; Richmond is crammed with Greek
and Vietnamese restaurants; and Fitzroy has cheap Asian, Turkish, Mediter-
ranean, and vegetarian food. To see and be seen, head to Chapel Street or Toorak
Road in South Yarra, or to St. Kilda and join the throng of Melbournians din-
ing out along Fitzroy and Acland streets. Most of the cheaper places in Mel-
bourne are strictly BYO (bring your own wine or beer). Smoking is no longer
possible in cafes and restaurants, so please think twice before offending both
staff and fellow patrons.