Tutankhamun Accommodation Recommendations

[JetLagged]

Hi all - hoping that those who either live in or travel to Melbourne can assist with their insights.

Three of us are looking to travel down to Melbourne sometime in Ausgust or september for the exhibition. We hoping to find a 2 bedroom hotel room or apartment near enough to the exhibition to walk there - and also catch transport to get around, alleviating the need to hire a car for 2 days.

Any recommendations based on experience will be most warmly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jetlagged



NOT sent on an iphone app - or any other app

 

[zig]

With the tram system in Melbourne there is no need to limit yourself to staying within walking distance of the museum. There is a tram (can't recall the number off the top of my head) that runs up Bourke Street and stops near the museum so really you could stay anywhere in the CBD.
There are many serviced apartments available, really depends on your budget.

 

[Travel Guru]

I would agree with Zig, stay somewhere Central as there didn't appear to be much around the Museum area and just catch a tram to the museum.

I saw the exhibition a few weeks ago and was brilliant, would definitely recommend paying the $7.50 for the audio tour, so informative.

TG

 

[markis10]

Pretty hard to go past the Mecure for price or location with the current Accor sale:

 

[zig]

There is a tram (can't recall the number off the top of my head) that runs up Bourke Street and stops near the museum.

Memory has returned, it is the number 96. If you are looking for a 2 bedroom apartment which is central you could try looking at Citadines on Bourke, Mantra on Lt Bourke, Quest on Bourke, Mantra on Russell, Oaks on Collins...

 

[JetLagged]

Thanks for the responses: what I was hiping for were personal recommendations of places you have stayed in - eveyrhting looks fine on paper, but actual experience counts a lot in my view (hence why read TripAdvisor, with the usual disclaimers, of course).

 

[JetLagged]

Pretty hard to go past the Mecure for price or location with the current Accor sale:

What sale, markis - when I went to Accor sight - no 50% sale for the same days that you did a search with - alas~!

 

[zig]

Thanks for the responses: what I was hiping for were personal recommendations of places you have stayed in - eveyrhting looks fine on paper, but actual experience counts a lot in my view (hence why read TripAdvisor, with the usual disclaimers, of course).

I think it is always a bit fraught making personal recommendations without having a knowledge of the person you are making them for and what their expectations, budget etc are. For example markis10 suggested Mercure Welcome, and from my previous experience there I couldn't recommend it to anyone, I found it to be truly horrible and even at $85 wouldn't stay there ever again ... but everyone is different. I haven't stayed in any of the serviced apartments for a couple of year so my knowledge is a bit out of date, however some that I found to be better than others were Mantra on Lt Bourke and The Sebel (in Collins St). A friend stayed at Medina Grand in Queen St last week in a 3 bedroom apartment with a group and they all enjoyed the place.

 

[Mal]

What sale, markis - when I went to Accor sight - no 50% sale for the same days that you did a search with - alas~!

The sale is currently only for A-Club members (Free to join), but opens up to the public tomorrow I believe.

 

[JetLagged]

The sale is currently only for A-Club members (Free to join), but opens up to the public tomorrow I believe.

Hi Mal, thanks for that. I thought that was the situation, especially when I used markis's member number and did a dummy check - don't owrry markis - you won't get the bill!

Just in case the special doesn't open up to the public tomorrow, I joined A-Club.

Has anyone stayed at The Swantson Grane Mecure, by any chance? Looks good - and with the 50% sale, even better!

 

[zig]

Has anyone stayed at The Swantson Grane Mecure, by any chance? Looks good - and with the 50% sale, even better!

It is marginally better (furniture, fittings, bathroom) than the Mercure Welcome. They are both in the same building and utilise the one checkin desk etc, you just take a different set of lifts to access it. Thee was a lot of noise the night I stayed, and the hotel is generally always very busy with large bus groups and interstate footy groups etc. I wouldn't stay again.

 

[blackcat20]

I found the Oaks on Collins to be really nice. Trams are right out the front too.

 

[markis10]

Hi Mal, thanks for that. I thought that was the situation, especially when I used markis's member number and did a dummy check - don't owrry markis - you won't get the bill!

Just in case the special doesn't open up to the public tomorrow, I joined A-Club.

Has anyone stayed at The Swantson Grane Mecure, by any chance? Looks good - and with the 50% sale, even better!

Damn, thought that A club number might have a chance of getting some points .

For many years my favourite hotel was the Stanford Plaza Suites Melbourne Hotels & Accommodation - Stamford Plaza Melbourne Hotel but they can be pricey. I have also stayed at the previously mentioned Oaks and found it good, to be frank as has been mentioned, you are only a tram ride away from most attractions, Quay West is also very nice:

Southbank Hotels | Melbourne Serviced Apartments | Quay West Suites Melbourne Hotel

Again not close to the Accor pricing but being apartments savings can be had on the catering!

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

I had visitors stay at the new Citadines apartment hotel on either Bourke or Collins. The apratments were very nice and I believe the price was keen.

 

[Taezar]

Sorry to hijack - but has anyone who has been to the Tutankhamun exhibit in the Cairo Museum been to the one in Melbourne? How does it compare? Can't decide if I should go or not as I have seen the full exhibit in Cairo a few times.
Taez

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

Sorry to hijack - but has anyone who has been to the Tutankhamun exhibit in the Cairo Museum been to the one in Melbourne? How does it compare? Can't decide if I should go or not as I have seen the full exhibit in Cairo a few times.
Taez

The Melbourne one isn't a patch on the Cairo one. It is based around a small number of items borrowed from Cairo.

That said, the interpretive material is extremely good - cynically, to bulk up the exhibition but the material in Cairo if you recall isn't that good. So it may be worth a visit if you are interested in learning more about the exhibits.

 

[Taezar]

Thanks Mr_Gimlet,
I might as well pop in on a basic ticket as I will be in MEL next month.
Cheers
Taez
PS. Highjack complete.