Melbourne Australia hotel - by ATS Tours

The elegant capital of Victoria, Melbourne, is home to a thriving arts and cultural scene, glorious colonial architecture, and superb restaurants.

As Australia’s smallest mainland state, Victoria offers a variety of regional attractions, from the koala and penguin reserves of Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula; to the surf beaches, maritime history, and unique rock formations of the Great Ocean Road; wineries and wildlife sanctuaries of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges; and colonial history of the Goldfields and Ballarat. Look closely at all the pieces that make up Victoria, and you'll soon discover the only piece missing is you!

Melbourne & Victoria Hotels

Hotel / Resort name	Ratings
Crown Promenade Hotel - Melbourne   Located on Southbank close to the casino. Stylish, affordable and thoroughly modern, Crown Promenade Hotel has 465 guest rooms including 18 studios and 3 suites. Guests can enjoy the use of the leisure center incorporating a heated infinity pool, spa, gymnasium and sauna. Dining facilities include the fabulous Mesh restaurant and the stunning Tonic bar.		more photos
Grand Hyatt Melbourne - Melbourne   Grand Hyatt Melbourne is ideally located in the heart of the city’s restaurant, shopping, theatre and business district. Stay in one of the hotel’s recently refurbished 548 stunning rooms or suites which boast exceptional views of the city and indulge in the health, fitness and spa facilities.		more photos
Hotel Ibis Melbourne - Melbourne   Located a short walk from the bustling city center and Queen Victoria Market, close to Melbourne Central, department stores, and a short walk from Melbourne Museum, IMAX Theatre and The Royal Exhibition Buildings. Tram stop at the front door. i-Bistro and Bar, open daily for breakfast and dinner. 250 rooms, including hotel rooms and one or two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes		more photos
Mantra on Russell - Melbourne   Distinctly Melbourne, Mantra on Russell is located in the heart of Melbourne city and is close to numerous restaurants, bars and cafés. The hotel offers modern, well-appointed studio, one and two bedroom apartments with warm, rich furnishings. The hotel also features a restaurant and bar, indoor heated pool, spa and sauna, and gymnasium.		more photos
Novotel Melbourne on Collins - Melbourne   Novotel Melbourne on Collins is built above the prestigious Australia on Collins shopping center, within close proximity to Melbourne’s boutiques, cafes, restaurants and sights. Renowned for its friendly, professional service and spacious, well appointed rooms. The hotel features a bar, restaurant, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, spa and sauna.		more photos
The Langham Melbourne - Melbourne   Nestled in Southbank and renowned for its views of the Melbourne skyline, this deluxe hotel has an enviable location on the banks of the Yarra River, amid al fresco restaurants and just a short stroll to Federation Square, the Arts Center and shopping precincts. This hotel is elegantly designed with spacious guestrooms and luxurious facilities, including the innovative Chuan Spa.		more photos
The Swanston Hotel Grand Mercure - Melbourne   Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne, a short stroll to major shopping centers, historic theaters, exhibition centers, restaurants and sporting precincts. Modern and spacious rooms offering broadband Internet, large screen TV, DVD player and opening windows for fresh air. Select a Deluxe Suite and enjoy the benefit of a separate living area.		more photos
The Westin Melbourne - Melbourne   The Westin Melbourne combines stylish accommodation, luxurious facilities and instinctive service in a great location, right in the heart of the best shopping, theatres and galleries. Your stay is complemented by large guest rooms, a stunning light-filled lobby overlooking the City Square, an eclectic art collection and award-winning bars and restaurants.		more photos

Time Zones
Like the US, Australia is broken into three different time zones. From Pacific Standard Time, the eastern states (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania) are + 18 hours, the central states (Northern Territory, South Australia) are + 19, and Western Australia is + 20 hours. Some states practice daylight saving, so these times will differ during certain months.

Entry Formalities
You must have a passport, valid for not less than 6 months beyond the date of arrival, and a visitors visa. Consult your travel agent or airline.

Currency
Australian dollar, decimal currency system. Notes: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2.

Bank Hours
Generally 9:30am to 4pm Monday through Thursday, and 9:30am to 5pm Friday.

Departure Tax
Departure tax is A$38 (approximately US$27) per person over 12 years of age (included in international air ticket).

Electricity
240/250 volts, AC 50Hz. As the 3-pin outlets differ from those in the US a converter/adapter kit is required. Most major hotels have 110v outlets for electric shavers.

Language
English is the official language, but you will hear many colorful local expressions. Do not hesitate to ask questions, as people are very helpful.

Shopping
9am-5pm weekdays, and Thursday to 9pm. Saturday 9am-4pm. Put Akubra hats, Driza-Bone bushman raincoats, Aboriginal objects, wool products, opals and pearls on your shopping list.

Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom, and service charges are not added in hotels and restaurants. In better restaurants, however, it is usual to tip up to 10%. Porters at airports, taxi drivers and hairdressers do not expect to be tipped. At railway terminals porters have set charges, but not at hotels. At any time tipping is your choice.

Climate
As Australia covers 30 degrees of latitude, there is a wide variation in its climate. Looking to the north, about 40% of the continent is in the tropics. In the southeast region of the Australian Alps, there is snow for about 6 months of the year. Primarily, Australia is a sunshine country - even in the cooler southern regions. No capital gets less than 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. Perth is the sunniest state capital, with nearly 8 hours of sunshine a day. Remember that Australia, located in the southern hemisphere, has seasons opposite North America's.

Food
Australians don't really have a dish that they can call their own. But the country does offer a multitude of foods, from native kangaroo tails and macadamia nuts, through avocados, fresh tropical fruits, oysters and lobsters, to tender beef and lamb. And what you will find is a variety of foods prepared with the skills of many nationalities - French, Greek, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian and many others.