Melbourne CBD (Queen Victoria Market)

ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments

★★★★★

The ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments is one of the best-value family options in the city centre, thanks to its apartments and its location next to Queen Victoria Market. It stands at 15-21 Therry Street on the northern edge of the CBD, about 50 metres from the market, around 290 metres from Melbourne Central station and close to Lygon Street, the University of Melbourne and RMIT. Accommodation comes in two forms. Standard hotel rooms of about 22 square metres have either a queen bed or a double and a single, sleeping up to three. The apartments are the real attraction for families and groups: one-bedroom apartments of about 36 square metres with a king bed and sofa bed, sleeping three, and two-bedroom apartments of about 57 square metres with a queen bed, two singles and a sofa bed, sleeping up to five. Apartments offer the space and flexibility of self-catering, which pairs perfectly with the produce at Queen Victoria Market across the road. The ibis Kitchen restaurant serves a continental or buffet breakfast each morning, as well as shared plates and a children's menu, and the ibis Kitchen Lounge offers coffee, cocktails, beer, wine and bar snacks. Parking is available, subject to availability, for a nightly fee, though the car park connects to the hotel only by stairs, so unload luggage at the entrance first. The hotel is a three-star Accor property with straightforward, practical design rather than character, but it is clean, functional and well located. Melbourne Museum, Chinatown and Bourke Street Mall are all within walking distance, and trams on Elizabeth and William streets connect to the rest of the city.

Families and groups should book an apartment rather than multiple rooms; the two-bedroom option is particularly good value for five. Ask for a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper. Market days bring early activity in the area, which is part of the charm but can mean some morning noise.

Use the location to your advantage. Shop at Queen Victoria Market for breakfast supplies and picnic food, walk to Lygon Street for Italian dinners, and take the train from Melbourne Central or a tram for sightseeing. Note that the market is closed on Mondays and Wednesdays, except for seasonal Wednesday night markets.

Compared with the YHA, ibis offers more privacy and in-room facilities at a slightly higher price. Compared with the design hotels of Flinders Lane, it is far more affordable. For families, groups and budget travellers who value space and practicality, it is a smart, central choice.