Hotels Near The Melbourne Convention Centre

The Melbourne Convention Centre is about 1.5 km south-west of the centre of Melbourne. It is on Siddeley Street, near the corner of Spencer Street and Flinders Street.

Central Melbourne is within easy walking distance. There are trams and trains and taxis for those who don't fancy a stroll. Pretty much all hotels will have refrigerators in the room, and usually a mini-bar at really painful rates. Room service is normally 24 hour, and licensed for liquor in 4 and 5 star hotels. If you are lucky, reception is 24 hour in three star and below, but you can forget about room service.

Centra Melbourne

A four star hotel on Flinders and Spencer Street, 1.5 km SW of the GPO, connected directly to the Melbourne Convention Centre. The 10 floor hotel has 384 rooms, 68 with interconnecting doors. There are 13 suites, a heated pool and a gym. Three non-smoking floors. There is a fee for covered parking. Room rates A$120 to A$210, suites A$400 to A$700.

A booking form for the Centra will be released to Aussiecon members at a later date.

Centra Melbourne website

Rydges on Flinders Hotel

Formerly known as The Banks. A four star hotel on Spencer Street and Flinders Lane, 1.3 km SW of the GPO, described as a "boutique business hotel". This 8 floor hotel has 204 rooms, 21 with interconnecting doors. There are 14 suites. Heated pool, sauna, gym. Guest laundry and valet service. Under cover security parking available. Three meeting rooms, largest 50 people. Room rates are A$105 to A$195, suites are A$175 to A$235.

Rydges on Flinders website

Savoy Park Plaza

A four star hotel at 630 Little Collins Street, 1 km SW of the GPO, opposite Spencer Street railway station. This 11 story hotel has 157 rooms, 5 suites. Two non-smoking floors. Room rates are A$99 to A$198, suites are A$155 to A$650.

This pleasant hotel was the site of Arcon, the 1995 Aussiecon Reunion convention, bringing back together many of the Australian participants of the two previous World Science Fiction Conventions held in Australia, namely Aussiecon 1 (1975), and Aussiecon 2 (1985).

Savoy Park Plaza website

Le Meridien at Rialto

A five star hotel at 495 Collins Street, 850 metres SW of the GPO. The 9 floor hotel has 232 rooms, 25 with interconnecting doors. Rooms are A$275 to A$325, while suites are A$440 to A$715. Three floors are non-smoking. There are only 9 suites.

Le Meridien at Rialto information

Crown Towers

Crown Towers five star hotel is located on the banks of the Yarra River above the casino complex, a short stroll from the Melbourne central business district. It has 500 rooms and suites, convention and meeting facilities, business centres and the Crown Spa. For the more energetic, there are two tennis courts and a glass-walled gymnasium overlooking the pool. The spa restaurant, Breezes, features spectacular views of Melbourne and the Yarra River.

Crown Towers website

Batmans Hill

A three star hotel at 66 Spencer Street, 1.1 km SW of the GPO, opposite Spencer Street railway station. The 5 floor hotel has 85 rooms, only three with interconnecting doors. Two non-smoking floors. $90 to $145.

Batmans Hill Hotel information and bookings

Hotel Enterprize

Somewhat downmarket in aspect, at 44 Spencer Street, (formerly The John Spencer) 1.2 km SW of the GPO. This 4 floor hotel has 150 rooms, at prices from A$35 to A$89.

Hotel Enterprize website

Riverside Apartments

At 474 Flinders Street, 1.1 km SW of the GPO, this 18 floor building contains 31 serviced apartments, ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms. This could suit groups of fans wishing to share costs. We have used serviced apartments when visiting Melbourne, and found them a pleasant alternative to hotels. Obviously we haven't blocked this one, and I mention it only to see if anyone expresses an interest in this style of accommodation. $125 to $220.

Riverside Apartments information

For more Melbourne hotels at all price ranges, visit this link

Conversion Notes

A kilometre is about 5/8th of a mile, or a mile is about 1.6 km. At present the Australian dollar buys about 70 cents US, or a US$ buys about A$1.40. This means Australian hotel prices are somewhat cheaper than they first appear to US visitors. Also, goods in Australia generally already include a fairly heavy tax, so any price you see if the final price and you do not have to add tax. Tipping is also not widespread, due to minimum wage laws, though no doubt the staff you meet would appreciate it. Australians generally tip only when they've received exceptional service.

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