Lightening Online

When we first started planning our trip to Melbourne, I had never even heard of the Hotel Windsor.

Sure, I lived in Melbourne for 6 years.

But I never had call for 5 star accommodation when I lived there.

And I never really went to that end of town either.

I only ever found it through a search for Accommodation near the Princess Theatre on google and wotif.

But as soon as I saw the photographs on Wotif, I just knew in my heart that I HAD to stay there!

Further investigation turned up mixed reviews on the place.  Mostly positive with the occasional mention of how tired the rooms are looking.

It’s OLD.  I don’t think you need highly polished, modern rooms.  To me that would take away the charm of the place.

So I was MORE than happy with our room:

The bed was comfy, we had plenty of room and I LOVED the curtains!

There was a little bit of wallpaper coming away in one corner and the exhaust fan in the bathroom was dusty.

For someone used to 5-star accomodation, I can understand perhaps some level of disappointment.  For me, I didn’t really care that much!  I was just happy to be there!

One of my favourite parts of the Hotel was the Grand Staircase.  We used it several times the first couple of days but after a while we resorted back to using the lift (as you do when you’re tired and your shoes are rubbing!).

The main hallway was so beautiful!  Chandeliers were in many places throughout the Hotel.

We were able to purchase a great priced package online which included a full buffet breakfast.  It was a particularly spectacular buffet.  Not only did they have the usual cereal, juice, yoghurt and bacon and eggs but there was smoked salmon, fresh fruit, a variety of pastries and muffins, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, hash browns, cold meats, cheese platter and some other food I didn’t recognise (I think perhaps an asian based breakfast food?).  Tea & coffee was served directly to your table as required by the staff and everything else was on a self serve basis (although they did also have a menu you could order from).

The staff were wonderful.  Polite and friendly and nothing seemed too much to ask of them (not that we actually asked all that much).

All in all, our stay was WONDERFUL!!!!  I’d definitely go there again (assuming I can get a good deal of course - bit out of range at the normal prices but they do seem to have some good deals regularly which is hopeful).