There are so many accommodation options when visiting Melbourne- you can stay in a cheap backpackers' hostel, a luxury hotel or a small suburban bed and breakfast. In the middle of the city, there are hundreds of hotels and serviced apartments that can suit all budgets and tastes.
Located just a few minutes' walk from
Southern Cross Station,
Quest Docklands is one of the smaller apartment complexes in the CBD, but it provides all the comforts of home.
The studio apartments boast a full kitchenette, complete with all your modern conveniences, including fridge, dishwasher, microwave, stovetop and oven range. The layout is comfortable, despite the size restrictions of the room, and the simple white and dark brown design (with silver appliances) makes the area look modern and sleek.
The kitchenette has everything that you need for an extended stay
Further on into the room lies the living area, which looks towards Etihad Stadium. Literally just a few hundred metres away, the Stadium walls provide a rather unusual but interesting backdrop for your Melbourne stay. Not all rooms have a balcony, but for those that do, it's worth going out and checking out the views you can get of the city. From our balcony, I was able to see
Etihad Stadium straight ahead, construction of the new NAB building site to my right and a glimpse of the Melbourne skyline and Docklands to my left.
A view of some of the city from the balcony
The living area is tastefully decorated, once again adopting the dark brown, white and silver theme. Splashes of colour are added to the décor through the use of red cushions, which somehow manage to give the room a homey feel. The living area features a relatively large HD television screen for those interested in entertainment, but it also caters for those travelling on business, with a comfortable desk area, phone and a 'business centre' within the building.
The living area
The bathroom is modern in design, with your now-average square basin and a small spa bath which also can double as a shower if you pull the screen across. There is also plenty of floor space- a far cry from the last place I stayed at where the toilet was wedged in between the bath and the wall. There are also laundry facilities (a washing machine and dryer) housed behind a little door to the side of the bathroom entrance, which is handy for those having an extended stay.
The bathroom
The studio apartment bedroom (which follows a similar colour theme to the living area) is also quite spacious. The built-in wardrobe is mirrored (which is useful for when the bathroom is occupied and you need a mirror pronto), and the bed is a comfortable queen size.
The bedroom
Perhaps the best thing about Quest Docklands, besides the convenience of having everything you need around you, is the fact that it is within walking distance of so many places. As I mentioned earlier, Etihad Stadium is literally at your doorstep, so if you are attending a sports match or event at this venue, there really is no closer accommodation alternative. Docklands is also very close- a five minute walk will take you to the marina and a range of small cafes. Walk about 10 minutes more and you can shop to your heart's content at
Harbour Town Shopping Centre.
You could also walk in the opposite direction from Quest Docklands, and shop at the
Spencer Street shopping centre (formerly DFO)which lie just above and to the right of Southern Cross Station. Or catch a train (or a tram) to anywhere you please- the options really are endless.
Quest Docklands is modern, comfortable and close to everything- what more could you want?
