It was cider time. On a Sunday. In Federation Square. With old friends.
Had it been 17 years ago, when we lived in London together it would have been snakebites. We’re a bit tamer now as we all have kids in tow, but we still had too much to drink to be able to drive back to our tent in the caravan park in Point Lonsdale, 2 hours from Melbourne.
By 9pm, we decided we better book in somewhere. We were at the Transport Hotel and just across the Yarra River was Mantra Southbank. It was a no-brainer. We phoned, they had vacancies and at a great price.
No hassles about getting there, as it was only a 5-minute walk. We walked it a lot when we stayed there for 5 nights in January.
We checked in at 9:30pm and when we opened the door to our 2-bed apartment, it felt like we’d returned home. It was a welcome break from the tent.
Mantra apartments are one of our favourite chains in Australia. We stay at them often and even had my 40th celebration and our big road trip farewell party at Mantra Ettalong Beach in our home town.
We’ve also stayed at Mantra Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast and Mantra on Salt Beach in Kingscliff.
This is what we loved about the Melbourne property.
5 reasons to stay at Mantra Southbank
1. Apartments rock for families
Most big-city hotel rooms were not built for families with young kids. They usually have no refrigerator or microwave, floor space is at a premium, and neighbours can hear every tantrum. But with an apartment you get more space, thicker walls, a kitchen, a washing machine, and separate bedrooms.
These extra facilities on a long stay can make your trip so much more enjoyable, and our 2-bed apartment was bright and roomy.
2. Eating out is Expensive
Melbourne’s cafe and restaurant scene is second to none in Australia. It’s just one of the reasons we love this city, but eating out three times a day as a family of four is expensive.
If it was just a weekend stay we’d probably eat out all the time, but as we were staying for 5 nights having a fully-equipped kitchen and being able to self-cater on several meals plus store snacks and bottled water was priceless.
3. Indoor heated pool & spa
Melbourne might be famous for its culinary scene, but it’s also famous for its unpredictable weather and cold winters. No fear, Mantra Southbank has an indoor pool and spa that will keep you, and especially your kiddies, happy no matter what’s happening outside.
4. City Views
If you stay in a 2 bedroom deluxe apartment like ours, you get a private balcony with city views. We overlooked the Victorian Arts Centre, the MCG, and the Southbank precinct.
5. Location, Location, LOCATION
We love being able to walk to as many attractions and places to eat and drink from our accommodation, and Mantra Southbank is central to many of Melbourne’s highlights.
Places we could easily walk to with our 6 and 2-year-old daughters included:
Southbank
We were literally a 60-second walk to Southbank Promenade and Southgate Restaurant and Shopping Precinct on the Yarra River.
City Centre and Flinders Street Station
A five-minute walk across the Yarra took us to Swanston street (Melbourne’s main thoroughfare) and Flinders Street Station where we could catch a train or tram to anywhere in and around Melbourne.
Rod Laver Arena and the MCG
We ticked off one of our bucket list items on our visit to Melbourne and attended the Australian Tennis Open. Caz even got to see the great Roger Federer play. Staying at Mantra Southbank it was just a 20 minute stroll along the Yarra to the tennis centre.
Federation Square
Also a five-minute walk was Federation Square, one of our favourite locations in Melbourne. Especially when there is a sporting event on as they play the matches on the big screen.
Degraves Street and Centre Place
Walk five minutes over the Yarra and you get to Degraves Street and Centre Place, two of our favourite laneways for coffee and graffitied walls. (Don’t forget Hosier Lane too!)
Yarra River Walks
It was also perfect for our afternoon Yarra River walks or bike rides. A welcome activity in any busy city.
Eureka Tower & Skydeck
Literally across the road from the Mantra is the Eureka Tower. Make sure you experience ‘The Edge’ – a glass cube which projects 3 metres out from the building 300 metres above the ground – freaky!
But that’s not all, you can easily walk to these locations:
- Royal Botanic Gardens – 5-minute walk
- Melbourne Aquarium – 10-minute walk
- Crown Casino – 10-minute walk
- Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre – 10-minute walk
- Southern Cross Station – 15-minute walk
- Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit – 20-minute walk
- Etihad Stadium – 25-minute walk
If you’re looking for family friendly accommodation in the heart of Melbourne, Mantra Southbank offers so much at reasonable rates. And after staying there twice now, it really feels like our home away from home.
The Facts
Room types & Facilities
- One and two bedroom apartments
- 24-hour reception
- Restaurant and Cocktail Bar
- Undercover parking (limited availability fees apply)
Location: Mantra Southbank is located adjacent to the Victorian Arts Centre at 31 City Road, Southbank.
- To book a stay at the Mantra Southbank check out our partners Booking.com
- For more places to stay in Melbourne click here. We’ve done the research for you!
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