Feel right at home while you’re away

By Greg Hackett

It’s all about the freedom. While hotels appeal to the single, short-term visitor, a self-catering apartment offers so much more to so many more.

I’ve been fortunate to stay in and review some of the best hotel rooms, and self-catering apartments, in the world and across Australia. Each appeals to a different type of traveller. Self-catering apartments are the answer for a small group of friends, two couples wanting to share and cut costs, families with children, corporate clients and workers needing medium to long-term accommodation, and couples who just want to have everything with them on their holiday … including the kitchen sink.

Don’t underestimate the benefits of having a washing machine and clothes dryer in your apartment – especially when you have children. Self-catering apartments also boast a kitchen with a full-size fridge (without the mini bar prices), dishwasher, and facilities such as an oven or cook top and microwave. Believe me, it beats trying to heat up last night’s leftover pizza with the hair dryer.  

Lyn Kelly, owner of Docklands Private Collection, stresses the added convenience offered by self-catering apartments. “Our apartments are a home away from home,” Lyn says. “We strive to provide the conveniences of home, while our clients are enjoying all of the other aspects of being away from home. This is why our apartments are fitted out with modern kitchen appliances. You can eat what you want, when you want. Self catering is what makes us different from hotels. And we offer exceptional value.”

The Docklands Private Collection has 32 self-catering apartments, called the Soho collection, in Digital Harbour, opposite the NewQuay restaurants precinct and within a drop punt of Etihad Stadium. Considering Etihad Stadium will host seven AFL games in April alone (two involving the Geelong Cats), they are in an ideal location for a weekend stay to watch the footy. Next day, catch the free City Circle tram that stops outside the entrance to the apartments and trundle to Harbour Town shopping precinct for some bargains and have a crack at ice skating at the Medibank Icehouse. Then catch the free tram back past the many attractions of Docklands and the CBD, such as the Melbourne Aquarium. Try three-wheeler fun with Tours on Trike, located next door to Soho apartments’ reception, or directly across the road is a “blue share bike” stand where you can hire a bike for a small fee.   

“We often have people stay in the Soho apartments so they can attend functions, such as weddings and the Melbourne Fashion Festival at Central Pier, just across Harbour Esplanade,” says Lyn. “Another busy time for us is during the Melbourne Food & Wine Week, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival (which runs until April 21). “You’d be surprised at how many regional and country people stay with us, so they can shop at nearby Costco.”

The Soho apartments have secure undercover parking for $15 a night, and wifi is $15 a day, $50 for a week, or free in the reception office from 8am-7pm. Lyn says the one-bedroom apartments are a perfect fit for the corporate traveller, each having a full kitchen with dishwasher, laundry with washing machine and dryer, and LCD TV with Foxtel. Reception has a free DVD library. The queen bed can be divided into two small singles, and some apartments have a sofa bed in the living room for guests. The two-bedroom choice is spacious by inner city apartment standards.

Docklands Private Collection’s Soho apartments are in the Lifelab Building in the Digital Harbour precinct, 198 Harbour Esplanade. Call 9642 4220, email: [email protected] or visit

www.docklandsprivatecollection.com.au

For a comprehensive, online video guide to Docklands businesses and attractions, visit http://www.docklandsdirectory.com.au