Brady Hotels Central Melbourne

Because there’s no real space in which to spread out here (tiny lobby, a bar with only five stools), the thing to know about this hotel’s scene is that there isn’t really one. Guests may see each other in the lobby during check-in or check-out, or over a light breakfast in the generic-looking cafe one flight up, but for the most part this is the kind of small hotel where you’re probably in your room or outside exploring hip Melbourne. But it serves its purpose and serves it well, and doesn’t purport to be anything it’s not — it’s a clean, reliable, affordable hotel with a friendly staff, and is a good choice for longer stays due to the kitchenettes in the Studio rooms (about one third of the hotel’s rooms have these). 

Mostly guests are couples on a budget, families visiting their kids at the University of Melbourne, and students who are still looking for housing. There are also business travelers who want to be in the CBD or are in Melbourne for a convention, though the focus here isn’t on business travel — it’s on providing a reasonably priced place to lay your head while you explore the nearby laneways, cafes, markets, and museums. 

Brady is about a 17-minute walk north from the Yarra River and Federation Square, which puts it at the north end of the CBD (though still along the free tram route that runs around the city’s center). For those who want to be in the exact heart of the action, this is a bit of a walk, but many travelers will like being removed from the crowds and noise while still being close enough to stroll into it. Plus, Brady is close to several things that leisure travelers will want to check out, including the State Library of Victoria, Chinatown (and its accompanying laneways), theaters, and the Queen Victoria Market.  

The hotel is a block from Melbourne Central Station, a big transportation hub with regional and local lines, as well as clothing stores above it. And Brady’s proximity to the University of Melbourne make it a great place for visiting parents or students who haven’t found housing yet. There’s a supermarket on the corner. 

• Three-minute walk to Melbourne Central Station
• Three-minute walk to the State Library of Victoria
• 10-minute walk into Chinatown 
• 10-minute walk to the Queen Victoria Market 
• 10 minutes by tram or a 15-minute walk to University of Melbourne 
• 10 minutes by tram or a 17-min walk to Federation Square and Flinders Street Station 
• 14 minutes by tram or 23-minute walk to the Arts District (museums and theaters)
• 20 minutes by tram or a 30-minute walk to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
• 22 minutes by tram to Royal Botanic Garden 

The hotel opened in 2014, and its rooms are clean and modern with simple decor. Given this hotel is about value and not luxury, standard rooms can be quite small, though the hotel tries to be honest about this and guests should make sure they know what they’re choosing when they book. Guests who need a bit more space should opt for a Studio or Two-Bedroom Apartment. 

Rooms come with either a queen- or king-size bed, but if needed the hotel can split a bed into two twins. Every room has a flat-screen TV (on the small side), an electric water kettle with tea and instant coffee, an iron and ironing board, and a safe. As a plus, all rooms in the hotel have balconies. 

The black-and-white bathrooms can also be small, and many have tiny sinks, but they’re also clean and modern. They all have hairdryers and toiletries by Urban Skincare. There are walk-in showers, but no bathtubs in the hotel.

Given the Brady is in a dense part of the CBD, rooms on lower floors can have less-than-stellar views as they look out onto other buildings; conversely, many rooms on high floors come with great lookouts over the city. To be safe, book on at least the fifth floor, or ask about the view when booking. 

There’s a ton of construction happening near the hotel, including the city’s (future) tallest building going up right next door (it’s still a few years away from being finished). Most guests haven’t been bothered by the noise, but a higher floor will help minimize the chances of both noise and an eyesore. Once the building is complete, it will probably block a lot of room views. 

Studios (and the hotel’s two suites) come with full kitchenettes, equipped with stoves, dishwashers, pots, pans, cutlery, toasters, microwaves, and empty mini-fridges, making them good for extended stays. There are two Two-Bedroom Apartments (each with two bathrooms) for families or bigger groups.

This is the kind of hotel you come to for a clean, affordable room and not its features, so it’s no surprise that there’s not much here. There’s a nondescript cafe that serves a la carte breakfast, dinner, and coffee, with a chef who does his best to make items from scratch — English muffins, fruit bread, sausages, and the like. One floor down on the ground floor, there’s a small bar space adjacent to the lobby that stays open 24 hours and serves coffee, soft drinks, and alcohol; with only five stools, it’s not big enough to be a destination for non-guests, but is handy to have for those staying in the hotel. The hotel also has room service 24/7.

There are also a free computer (with internet) in the lobby, a tiny workout room with a handful of cardio machines, and two meeting rooms. Guests who stay for a while will appreciate the coin-operated laundry machines in the basement, or they can send out their dry-cleaning for a fee.