Melbourne's BEST Hotel Deal? Little Collins Holiday Inn Express Secret!
Melbourne's BEST Hotel Deal? Little Collins Holiday Inn Express Secret! – My Honest Rant (and Rave!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. I’m about to spill the tea (or maybe it’s a lukewarm coffee from the complimentary breakfast, more on that later…) on a Melbourne hotel that’s become my little secret: the Holiday Inn Express Melbourne – Little Collins. And I’m not just talking about a polite, professional review. This is a real review, warts and all, because let’s be honest, we need those, right?
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- Meta Description: Unveiling the truth about the Holiday Inn Express Little Collins! This honest review covers everything from accessibility and cleanliness to the free breakfast and those sneaky little perks. Is it really the best deal in Melbourne? Find out inside!
Arrival & First Impressions - A Bit of a Fluffle (Literally):
First things first, finding the actual entrance felt like a scavenger hunt. The Little Collins street is a vibe – hidden laneways, cool cafes, street art galore – but it also means figuring out where the heck the hotel is. My first impression? Slightly flustered. Not a deal-breaker, but a noticeable “ah, here it is” moment.
Accessibility - Tick, Tick, Tick (Mostly!)
Accessibility is super important to me (I’m a bit clumsy!), and huzzah, it seems to be on the hotel's priority. The entry is pretty open and the elevator makes life real easy. They offer Wheelchair accessible rooms, which is awesome, and the hallways are wide enough to turn a double stroller (or a rogue suitcase). The Facilities for disabled guests are good, but (and there’s always a but, isn't there?) I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm the exact needs of any mobility aid users (my personal experience is limited, but my friend found the bathroom well equipped).
Now, a MAJOR PRO – and seriously, hotels, pay attention! – the elevator is a godsend. And the exterior corridor? Clean, well-lit, and it feels safe at night. It’s a huge plus when you're in a city like Melbourne.
Rooms - Functional, Not Frivolous (But Clean, Always Clean!)
Okay, so the rooms aren’t exactly dripping with luxury. Think clean lines, sensible furniture, and everything you need without the fuss.
- Available in all rooms: The Air conditioning is fantastic. Alarm clock works perfectly. The Bathroom with its Bathrobes is great. The Blackout curtains are a godsend (Melbourne mornings can be ruthless!). The Coffee/tea maker is a lifesaver.
- Daily housekeeping gets an A+ (seriously, the cleanliness is impressive).
- I appreciate the Desk – essential for any remote work warrior like myself. There's an In-room safe box, the Internet access – wireless, and the Ironing facilities are a must. The Refrigerator is perfect for storing snacks.
- The Seating area is comfy if you want to relax. And the Wi-Fi [free] is a GODSEND. I mean, who wants to pay extra for wifi?!
- Non-smoking rooms are the norm, which I fully support. The Shower is alright, and the Soundproofing is impressive because outside Melbourne is full of life
- The Towels are fluffy, and the Wake-up service always, always works!
It's a great base of operations. And the fact that they have smoke detectors is a must. The Socket near the bed is also a clever idea.
The infamous 'Breakfast Included' - A Love/Hate Relationship
This is where my mixed feelings REALLY kick in. The Breakfast [buffet] is included, and hey, FREE FOOD! But… it's a bit… predictable, if i can be real. It usually features:
- Asian breakfast, which is a great option.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant works well.
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Western breakfast and works well.
Don't get me wrong, it’s serviceable. You get your carbs, your caffeine, and energy to start the day. But the quality? Let's call it "functional". The coffee is… well, it’s free coffee. The Breakfast takeaway service is also a bonus if you're in a rush.
But, here’s a pro tip: the hotel is surrounded by amazing cafes. So, sometimes I’d ditch the free breakfast, wander out, and treat myself to Melbourne’s coffee culture. Just saying… worth considering. There's also a Coffee shop if you want to stay in.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Surrounding Goldmine
Speaking of coffee, the location of this hotel is gold. You're literally steps away from a million cafes, restaurants, and bars.
I didn't spend much time eating inside the hotel, but from what I can see, there's:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Restaurants
- Snack bar
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western cuisine in restaurant nearby
Things to do - Location, Location, Location!
This is where the Holiday Inn Express REALLY shines. You're smack-dab in the heart of Melbourne!
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [on-site]
- Taxi service
Ways to Relax (or Attempt To…)
Here’s the funny thing: it's not really geared towards relaxation inside the hotel. There isn't much, but hey, this isn’t the type of hotel where you spend all day lounging.
- Fitness center, is basic, but good for a quick workout.
If you are in the mood to pamper yourself look elsewhere, but there are plenty of great spas nearby.
Cleanliness and Safety - My Biggest Relief!
This is VERY important to me. The Cleanliness and safety of this hotel is what I have to praise.
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
You immediately feel safe, which is worth so much in these pandemic-era times. The staff are diligent about masks and distancing, and you can tell they take cleaning seriously.
Services - Doing the Basics Well (and Some Surprises!)
They nail the basics. Daily housekeeping is efficient. Concierge services are helpful. Laundry service is available. There's luggage storage if you arrive early or leave late. And the Front desk [24-hour] is always a comfort.
For the Kids
I’m not travelling with kids, but the hotel seems family-friendly nonetheless.
Getting Around - Easy Peasy
Airport transfer is available, it's not quite free, but there's transport there.
The Verdict – Is It REALLY the Best Deal?
Look, the Holiday Inn Express Little Collins isn’t perfect. It’s not a luxury hotel. It’s not going to blow you away with fancy trimmings.
BUT… for the price, the location, the cleanliness, and the convenience? Absolutely. For me, it’s a winner.
Would I stay here again?
As a budget-conscious traveler who values cleanliness, location, and a solid foundation for exploring Melbourne? Absolutely, yes. It's my little secret, and I'm (mostly) happy to share it. Just don't tell too many people, okay? ;)
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Mito Silver Inn's Hidden Gem in Japan
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups! This ain't your perfectly curated, glossy travel brochure. This is my Melbourne, the one I lived (and survived) in, and the one where I crashed, quite literally, at the Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins. Get ready for a rollercoaster, because honestly, that's what it felt like…
MELBOURNE MELTDOWN: A MESSY ITINERARY (AKA, My Life in Espresso Shots)
Day 1: Arrival & "Lost in the Laneway" (Or, Finding My Feet… or Losing Them)
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Jet lag is, as always, a thundering beast. I swear, the plane ride was a blurry haze of questionable airplane food and a crying baby who seemed to have a vendetta against my eardrums. "Welcome to Australia!" the immigration officer chirped. "Yeah, welcome me to a complete lack of sleep," I mumbled under my breath.
- 11:00 AM: Skybus to Southern Cross Station. This is where the "organized" part ends. Finding the Skybus was a triumph of following blurry signs and the collective desperation of fellow tourists.
- 12:00 PM: Check-in to the Holiday Inn Express Little Collins. Ah, sweet, air-conditioned relief! The room? Standard, comfy, exactly what I needed. The view… well, it overlooked a brick wall, but hey, free Wi-Fi and a decent bed! My inner critic briefly chirped about the lack of a pool, but the memory of the long flight shut her up quickly.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch: Hit the streets! First mission: Find coffee. Melbourne's coffee culture is legendary, right? I stumbled into a random cafe in a laneway, a hipster haven judging from the fixed-gear bikes chained outside. Ordered a flat white. The barista took one look at me (probably smelling the lingering airplane funk) and kindly suggested "something with a bit of pep, love". He wasn't wrong. He was right. The coffee was liquid gold, and the laneway itself was a revelation! Graffiti art everywhere, hidden shops, the smell of fresh-baked bread… I felt like I'd stumbled into a secret world.
- 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Laneway Exploration & Accidental Souvenir Shopping. Got lost wandering, which as I'm finding out, is the best way to experience Melbourne. Found a vintage record store (spent way too much money on a vinyl record that reminded me of my ex…), a quirky bookshop, and a shop selling artisanal chocolates (more money spent). Definitely feeling the post-travel euphoria.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner at a tapas place. The food was fabulous, the wine was flowing, and I made conversation with a couple from Germany who were also hopelessly lost but having a fantastic time. Feeling a little buzzed (and a lot less lost).
- 7:00 PM: Exhaustion hits. Back to the hotel, crashed. The brick wall view never looked so good.
Day 2: Culture Shock & Food Coma (Or, the Day I Tried to Be Fancy)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Free breakfast is a must! The usual hotel fare (scrambled eggs, toast, sad-looking fruit) did the job. Fueled up, ready to take on the city!
- 10:00 AM: National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). Decided to be cultured. Tried to appreciate the art. Mostly succeeded, but my brain kept wandering, imagining what some of the paintings would look like in modern-day context. Found myself staring at a painting for a solid 20 minutes, not because I understood it, but because I felt like everyone else was supposed to.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Federation Square. Decided to try a trendy spot and the moment an angry seagull swooped in, trying to steal my chips, I realized I wasn't as trendy as I’d hoped. Food was okay, nothing life-changing.
- 1:30 PM: Wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens. Finally, some peace! The gardens were stunning, a true oasis in the city. Sat by the lake, watched the ducks, and felt my shoulders relax for the first time since departure.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Yarra River Cruise. Another attempt at being cultured. The views of the city from the water were nice, but I got bored. Watched the people on the shore, plotting their next move.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a fancy restaurant. Oh boy. Tried a degustation menu. Five courses, each more pretentious than the last. I have no clue what I ate but it was certainly an experience.
- 8:00 PM: Failed attempt at a bar-crawl. Ended up back at the hotel, defeated by fancy food and general exhaustion.
- 9:00 PM: Passed out on the bed.
Day 3: "The Great Ocean Road, the Meltdown, and the Seagull"
- 7:00 AM Wake up, look out the window, and see… the brick wall. (sigh). I decide I like the brick wall.
- 8:00 AM: Pack a bag, grab a bottle of water, and a snack.
- 9:00 AM: Drive to the departure point of the Great Ocean Road.
- 10:00 AM: Get into the bus with a few other strangers. It's going to be a long day!
- 11:00 AM: The Great Ocean Road. A sight to behold…
- 12:00 AM: Stop at a scenic spot
- 13:00 PM: The next stop is the famous Twelve Apostles
- 14:00 PM: Back on the bus and trying to keep all the details of the Great Ocean Road on my head. This is a lot of information.
- 15:00 PM: The next stop is at a nice beach where I'm attacked by a seagull that tries to steal my meal. I scream out loud but no one cares.
- 16:00 PM: Another scenic stop and the journey continues
- 18:00 PM: The bus is getting back to the city. I'm exhausted but happy.
- 19:00 PM: Back to the hotel.
Day 4: Coffee, Shopping, and Goodbyes (Or, The Day I Actually Got Melbourne)
- 9:00 AM: Sleep in! And hit the hotel breakfast again, this time grabbing a second helping of baked beans.
- 10:00 AM: Coffee run! Went back to the laneway and the barista with the pep-inducing coffee. He remembered me! We chat about the city, my adventures, and my utter lack of grace. This time, I got a double shot.
- 11:00 AM: More shopping! Found a cool little independent shop making unique jewelry and spent a good amount of money.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch: Went back to the cafe where I first had coffee.
- 1:00 PM: Walked along the Yarra river with a coffee in hand.
- 3:00 PM: Checked-out of the hotel. It was time to leave.
- 4:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping, feeling the tinge of sadness knowing the end of my trip was near.
- 5:00 PM: Skybus back to the airport.
Emotional Verdict: Melbourne, you magnificent, chaotic, confusing, and utterly charming city, you got me. You wore me down, you made me laugh, you challenged my tastebuds, and you forced me to embrace my inner tourist. I might have been a mess, but in a way, I felt more alive here than I have in ages. And as I boarded the plane home, clutching a coffee cup and a slightly battered heart, I knew: I'd be back. Probably to get lost again. And probably to look at a brick wall.
Escape to Paradise: Unbelievable Jasmine Gardens in Hua Hin/Cha-am!
Little Collins Holiday Inn Express: The Melbourne Hotel Secret (Maybe?) - Answers & Some Rambles...
Okay, spill the beans! What's supposedly the BEST deal at the Little Collins Holiday Inn Express?
Why this hotel specifically? What makes it so special?
Speaking of breakfast, is it REALLY free? And good?
What are the rooms *actually* like? Are they tiny?
What’s the best way to *actually* get this "secret" deal? Vaguebooking is not helping, I need specifics!
- **Check their website directly.** Don't rely on third-party booking sites *exclusively*. The best deals are often buried on their own page.
- **Be flexible with your dates.** Midweek is almost always cheaper than weekends. Avoid the busy months. Seriously.
- **Sign up for their email list.** They regularly send out promotions. But prepare for the inbox spam. It is the price of savings, my friend.
- **Check last-minute deals.** Sometimes, if the hotel isn't booked, they'll drop the price. Risky, but potentially rewarding.
Okay, I'm sold. But what are the downsides? There *has* to be a catch, right?
- **Rooms are not huge, again!** Seriously, manage expectations.
- **Can get noisy.** It's the city, so trams, sirens, and general hustle and bustle. Light sleepers, bring earplugs. Maybe two pair.
- **The breakfast, while free, isn't gourmet.** Don't expect Michelin-star breakfast. It's fuel. It gets the job done.
- **Sometimes you just don't get the magic deal.** Sales are not every day, you'll have a less excited experience, you will pay at least a bit more. This sucks, but true.
Tell me about a REALLY bad experience, or something that went wrong?
"WHAT?" I yiped.
Apparently, there was a booking mix-up. My booking had been...*misplaced*. I was sent to *another* hotel, far away from the city center. In the rain. I was tired, I was grumpy, I was wearing a slightly inappropriate t-shirt. It took hours. This was not the fault of the Little Collins, strictly speaking, but it taught me a lesson: **Always, always, always reconfirm your reservation.** And maybe not go during a major event.
So, would you recommend this hotel, overall?
