Hotel Review: Mantra St Kilda Rd’s modern comforts are just a short tram ride away from Melbourne’s CBD

Mantra St Kilda Rd is characterised by its stunning and elegant modern charm, with a chandeliered, ballroom style entrance and lovely art deco apartments. Every wall is adorned with bold paintings, and with its red carpet entrance way, it brings a sense of grandeur to the venue.

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The hotel boasts a well-equipped and very spacious gym for vivacious and energetic patrons, gorgeous views across the city, and a range of dining options for guests. Conveniently, it is situated directly above the Bakini bistro, a gorgeous Italian restaurant offering a range of traditional and contemporary foods.

This trendy spot is right in the heart of St Kilda, and surrounded by great shopping and dining opportunities, with the city only a 25-minute tram ride away.

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While it is just outside Melbourne’s delightful free tram zone (Sydney should take notes), the trip is pleasant and easy, with trams leaving every 5-minutes from Flinders Street Station. Guests of the Mantra St Kilda are also just a short walk from the National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens and the beachside Fitzroy St hub.

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The apartment I stayed in was a minimalist little number, with a cosy bedroom nook to rest my tired feet and a fully stocked kitchen with all my appliance needs. My small balcony looked over a nearby car park, but I was able to glimpse the silhouette of the city in the distance and watch the gorgeous sunset.

While the apartment was compact, housing the kitchen and bedroom in the same living area, it never felt cramped thanks to its functional design and modern styling. The best feature of the room was of course, the huge and delightfully soft king-size bed, which I found myself collapsing into after a long day of walking. It was welcome relief for tired feet, and I enjoyed it immensely.

The service I received at Mantra St Kilda Rd was wonderful, with friendly desk staff, and stored bags that were brought up to my apartment as soon as the room was ready. They made me feel most welcome, and I had a far more pleasant trip because of it.

The best part of staying at a Mantra hotel is that they offer free membership to an exclusive loyalty program known as Mantra+. This program allows you free wifi for the duration of your stay, discounts at Mantra restaurants and most importantly of all – late checkout of exactly noon.

I took full advantage of this perk, and checked out at approximately 11:57am on my final day at Mantra St Kilda Rd. After a long week of travel, it was the littlest things that made all the difference.

  

THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)

The average nightly rate for a one bedroom serviced apartment at Mantra St Kilda Rd in Melbourne is AUD $189.

Address: 568 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3182
Contact: (03) 9525 0400
Website: https://www.mantra.com.au/victoria/melbourne-and-surrounds/melbourne/accommodation/hotels/mantra-st-kilda-road/

The writer stayed as a guest of Mantra Hotels.

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