Despite having lived in Melbourne for two years and having made numerous trips to the Garden City over even more, I had never heard of the Glendalough nor the tiny suburb north of the CBD area (that's downtown for my American readers) where it is situated.

The way in which I discovered this B&B gem was a mixture of circumstance and luck. I say luck in the sense I am fortunate enough to be part of a community like TripAdvisor where people can share their reviews of places they have stayed. On my last visit to Melbourne I had been placed in a quandary. The in-laws were flying in from Scotland and it was their first visit to my favourite Australian city. Normally being a creature of habit ensures whenever I stay somewhere, and I find it to my liking, I am a customer for life. This goes for restaurants, pubs, etc.

But I digress. My usual accommodation option in the eastern suburbs, whilst situated in a drab concrete landscape of warehouses, had faithfully satisfied my needs in the past. Sadly, it has fallen victim to the dreaded "under new management" logo and, by all accounts, new didn't appear to be better or even similar. This prompted my search for new alternatives.

It was paramount that a top quality place to stay was located and the anxiety of having to do so was compounded by the fact my partner and her parents would be included in the equation.

In hindsight, I needn't have worried an ounce.

The weight of reviews by seasoned TripAdvisors and the current ranking of the Glendalough B&B are testament to the welcoming nature and meticulous care provided by it's host - Stan. The interior of the large house is pure eye candy and beautifully maintained within the period. I seem to remember Stan mentioning either the late 1800's or early 1900's as the timeframe (I can't remember) but I'm sure he'll be able to convey more information. The man is a mine of information when it comes to restaurants and the best ways of getting around the city. I do, of course, know Melbourne quite well but I'd venture to say few know it like Stan. Whatever cuisine you favour, Stan has it covered in his directory and can point you in the direction of great food. Being the culinary Capital of Australia, this is one of the delights of Melbourne to be savoured and indulged in. We choose a nearby option (The Laurel Hotel in Ascot Vale) and were very impressed by the tasty fare offered by this unassuming pub.

As mentioned by others, the tram network is indispensable and service frequent. I followed Stan's advice and alleviated myself of the hassle of the expense and hassle of city parking lots. There is absolutely no need to use anything but the tram to get around in Melbourne and the stop is minutes away.

You can always notice the calibre of someone who knows the hospitality business. Stan is attentive to your needs and being the seasoned world wanderer he is, he knows what people expect. I enjoyed swapping tales of our respective journeys around the globe. I heard him speak several foreign languages answering the phone whilst we were there - the hallmark of a true traveller.

For the price ($AUD95 for a double) this cannot be bettered at anywhere else I've stayed in Melbourne. These days with things becoming progressively more expensive it becomes equally so to find value for your dollar. Not only is the price very reasonable but the smiles are free and hospitality genuine. The house is spotlessly clean, the breakfast provided (within the room rate) is one of the best continental styles around - plenty of fresh fruit, wholemeal bread, etc. Even though I was outnumbered by tea drinkers, Stan ensued I was never outgunned by providing piping hot coffee direct out of the percolator for me each morning of our 3 day sojourn there. I cannot abide by instant coffee and evidently neither can he!

For the true Melbourne experience, a stay at the Glendalough B&B is not only highly recommended but rather mandatory. The entire package is geared to relaxation and comfort you rarely find these days. Thank you again Stan and Tony. You are a credit to the B&B profession.

We stayed 4 nights at Stan's lovely B&B for $139.00 New Zealand a night and he charges $47.00 New Zealand for airport pickups. We really enjoyed ourselves, he keeps the house tidy and the temperature of the house nice and cool for those hot melbourne days which were 31 degrees most days . We used the tram everyday No59 into town $9.23 NZ a day and takes approx 20 minutes. Every morning breakfast was all ready for us , cereals, toast, spreads, fruit, yoghurt, juice and tea & coffee looking at the beautiful real xmas tree ! We even shared a lovely Malaysian meal at a local restaurant in Flemington with Stan and his long term partner Tony..very welcoming indeed. We will be back when next in sunny Melbourne.

This B&B is located just minutes from a tram station in a quiet neighborhood, the rooms are clean and the host Stan is very helpful with travel (insider) tips and anything you need to know about getting around etc. Historic house, freshly renovated, good continental breakfast. Would come again!

This is a great place to use as a base to explore the various attractions in Melbourne. It's a bit outside of the town center, but public transportation is cheap and close by. Stan is really helpful and considerate. Both the bed and the breakfast are excellent. Very happy to have stayed here.