We recently stayed at the Hotel Lindrum for our first trip to the Australian Open.
The proximity to Melbourne Parc was great, it was a very easy walk. There were
many cafe's within a short distance as well. The room was well appointed and
we were very comfortable. The ceilings were high and that made the room feel
even more spacious. Many people have written about the car park next to
the Lindrum. Our window did look out over the car park and while the view was
non-existent, we didn't feel like it was an issue at all since we were only there
for the tennis.

The general feel of the hotel is nice with a smart reception area and bar. The location is perfect - walking distance from everything. However, our room left much to be desired.
The room was small and dark. We were unable to open the blinds to let in any natural light as our room window faced a carpark which was a surprise given the cost of the room. It was also lit-up all night which was bearble as we could pull the blinds to block it out.
The TV was tiny with poor reception - we couldn't even get all the free to air stations. The air con was also very noisy.
We didn’t eat at the hotel as there are so many top places around the hotel to eat.
I had been recommended this hotel by someone who had stayed there multiple times so my rating is room specific. I am willing to give it another try however I will explore other hotel options first and if I do book into the Lindrum, I will make sure I get a room guarantee before I go.

When you're booking a weekend away in Melbourne you get to pick from all the high Saturday night rates of the city hotels. I chose Hotel Lindrum because it was the best value hotel available. As most people do I started price comparing on online travel agents and then went to the direct hotel website to book. They always are offering the same rates but it's easier to start on sites like Wotif and Booking.com.

the hotel is in a fantastic location, but because I knew Melbourne and had obviously checked the map I already knew this. It's just a short walk to anywhere in the CBD and to Melbourne Park (if you're travelling for the tennis). Flinders St Station is very close and it's easy to get cabs. The location is really very convenient and couldn't be better in Melbourne, I mean as long as you're in the CBD grid you're good right?

The room was quite large, but I did book a room at the front of the building to ensure I had an outlook. Unfortunately the decor was a little bit Novotel, a stunning building like Hotel Lindrum deserves more than birch IKEA coloured furniture. I've seen New York hotel rooms of a similar style but they have really decked them out with bold furniture that suits the style of room. Mirvac clearly felt the need to just furnish this hotel with their usual furniture suppliers with no regard for the special building they had on their hands. I don't expect any real effort from big hotel brands though, I mean why bother making it nice aren't the polished floors enough of an effort?

The carpet rug in the room had stains on it and the wooden floor in the bathroom had rot and was damaged from lack of protection from the shower water spillage.

The thing I loved most about this hotel was that everything was easy. Checked in with no problems, out with no problems and had a really breezy stay.

The thing I hate most about this hotel was the 'practical' idea of combining the reception desk and the bar so that you only have to pay one person rather than two people to service two very different parts of the business. The printer next to the alcohol next to the keyboard near the coffee machine doesn't really do it for me. There was no picture of this on the internet that's for sure, what an eye sore in such a beautifully stunning building.

I've since travelled to Melbourne and didn't stay at Lindrum again. Not because I wouldn't stay there again at all, I'm just not very loyal to hotels and have found better value deals with other hotels on different trips.

If something different from the 5 star chains is something you want (ie. less corporate/formal/crowded), then the Lindrum is well worth a thought. Feel like you are out of the city, but located within 'the CBD grid'. Brekkie was good without being spectacular, but