Two great spots to stay when visiting Melbourne with the family.

Melbourne is packed with things to do for visitors of all ages. Children will love the tram ride down to St Kilda pier, the children’s museum at Melbourne Museum and the Aquarium.

plus parents will no doubt be just as thrilled by Melbourne’s fantastic shopping, dining and nightlife, as well as the National Gallery of Victoria and the leisurely cruises down the Yarra River.

Not far from Melbourne there are many options, including a visit to the fantastic Open Range Zoo at Werribee, or head to the Dandenong Ranges for a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train. Children also love to visit Phillip Island to watch the penguin parade at Summerland Beach, see the fur seals near Nobbies or go surfing at some of the best surf and swimming beaches in Victoria.

This trip we were only in Melbourne for a couple of days and had lots to do, so we needed somewhere to base ourselves that was convenient, comfortable and as always somewhere where the kids are made as welcome as the adults.

So our first stop was – The Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders, it has a casual and relaxed vibe helping families feel right at home plus all the family friendly extra’s to make travelling with children easier.

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders is the ideal choice for guests and is a favourite Melbourne hotel amongst business and leisure guests. Ideal quality accommodation in Melbourne’s central business district, conveniently located at the entertainment end of Melbourne CBD, just a short walk to Crown Casino, Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centres, Aquarium, Southbank restaurants, Observation Deck and Telstra Dome, allowing guests time to indulge in renowned restaurants, fashion boutiques and Melbourne’s finest attractions, guests can relax in the hotels surroundings whilst immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant culture.

We chose to stay in a spacious newly renovated suite with separate bedroom & bathroom, it features 2 double beds, desk and sofa which meant the room felt spacious for our family of four and offered a little more privacy. Rooms feature broadband internet access, pillow menu plus tea & coffee making facilities, Cots are also available should you require one. It was perfect for our family of four to be able to spread out and relax, enjoying the flat screen TV and multi-device free WIFI.

With so many facilities and attractions within walking distance to the hotel it also makes it easy to drop back to the room for nap time or a rest before heading back out for dinner and night time fun, which is a must to keep our sanity – The hotel also has its own casual restaurant for those nights you would rather get a quick bite to eat and have an early night or often our favourite option room service!

The first thing my kids ask when we are heading to a new hotel is does it have a buffet breakfast? and yes it did! We were spoilt for choice with buffet breakfast choices galore we wanted for nothing at during our stay. The kids could take their pick from a variety of cereals, freshly made crepes and pancakes, fluffy bread rolls, warm croissants, , smoked meats and cheese, an assortment of tropical fruits and of course everyone’s favourite bacon and eggs made to order. A good breakfast like this always sets us up for a good day and keeps everyones hungry at bay.

After a crazy couple of days of exploring this increadable city it was time to think about heading home so for our next stop we opted to be close to the airport on our last night and made our way to the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport. We were made to feel so welcome and they offer all the facilities, space and service that makes travelling with children of all ages a pleasure.

An overnight stay at the hotel is perfect when busy families need a relaxing getaway to reconnect and have fun. As part of the World’s most family friendly hotel chain, the team happily engages with all hotel guests big and small; starting with a special kids welcome pack at the kids check in counter, then it was time to explore the kids zone stocked with fun board games, books and toys, which opens up to a large outdoor garden where you can play soccer, totem tennis or cricket or just run around and wear them out before bedtime.

I loved that Vargas Restaurant it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a kids menu which contains more than the usual nuggets and fries and cheese burger and fries that most restaurants think is suitable for the kids, Holiday Inn’s menu has been designed by nutritionists to satisfy any kids’ appetite for flavour and fun, and parents’ desire for healthy, nutritious food. With a great selection of healthy kid friendly meal options, there’s something for every little traveller to enjoy at Vargas Restaurant and Bar. Best of all, kids eat free* when dining with an adult.

Plus the next morning we could forget the stress and hassle of getting the family to the plane on time. With onsite airport parking and  complimentary 24/7 airport shuttle, we finished the holiday feeling relaxed and rested with no last minute dash so we didn’t miss our plane.

Plus to make our stay even more affordable they offer Kids 12 years and under eat and stay free when sharing their parents’ room this make a huge difference to the budget when travelling with kids and is always the first thing I look out for when booking a hotel.

If you have a  larger family or group, they also offer interconnecting rooms, plus free rollaway beds* and portacots.

Whether you choose to stay at  Melbourne airport hotel to make it easier for an early flight the next day or on a lay-over between international destinations, you can be sure that the whole family will enjoy the friendly atmosphere and attitude at a family friendly rate. Spacious soundproof guests rooms with double-glazed windows and modern room amenities, including pillow menu and premium bedding for the ultimate sleep experience. The hotel is the ultimate in Melbourne airport accommodation, located within walking distance to Melbourne Airport terminals meaning its very hard to miss that return flight home.

We love Melbourne, so any questions you have just let us know and we will be happy to chat.

Kerry and Miss Piper xoxo

*This post was written in collaboration with Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders but, as always, opinions are honest and my own.