When I arrived in Melbourne I was amazed with how warm it was. I had a long sleeve shirt on – not expecting it to be that hot.
You see it had been raining on the Sunshine Coast for days on end, and I was up so early so I thought the day was going to be a cool one! As soon as I was able to I changed my long sleeve shirt to a T-Shirt and was instantly cool.
Magical Stay At Tolarno Hotel St Kilda
I have never been to St Kilda in Melbourne before (I shared the experience of having to ask for directions in Thanking Nuffnang For Making My Dream Come True!) and I was not sure what the area was going to be like!
I have been to the inner city of Melbourne and I love the city so I knew that visiting St Kilda was going to be a bonus.
The Tolarno Hotel St Kilda
Actually The Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda was the biggest bonus.
After getting off the tram and working out how to cross the major roads – crossing over tram lines/cars and other people! – I entered the magical feeling of being transferred in time.
The hotel was located in Melbourne, but the theme of the place reminded me of some where from another world – another country.
From Across the Road of Hotel Tolarno St Kilda
I have never seen colours so bright from one wall to another, and so much culture with many different art paintings in one room. Its Magical!
The Entrance to Tolarno Hotel
Yet it worked. It actually looked like it was meant to be and that the decorator knew without a doubt that the bright colours would become a place you wanted to stay in forever!
Love The walls and the colour and the art!
Early Check In To The Tolarno Hotel
I was meant to check in after 2.00pm but I was actually able to check in early which was really good because I could put my bags in the room, and head out the door to explore St Kilda.
Amazing Decor!
First I had to explore my hotel room – to discover that I had the Balcony Room with a double bed to myself…a comfy gorgeous bedroom, with my own shower and toilet. No bath/spa but then again there was no time for laying in the bath tub!
The Most Comfy Bed To Sleep In!
Love this housekeeping rules…wonder how I can get my boys to do the same!
Walking Along The Beach Front
I walked towards the beach front. I wanted to see anything and everything – at once. It was like a Christmas present that was sitting under the tree and I was given free range to rip the parcel open as fast as possible.
I think that I walked for about an hour – maybe more.
The Beach Front at St Kilda
Did you know that St Kilda has their own Luna Park?
Did you know that St Kilda has a Sea Bath?
St Kilda Sea Bath
Not to mention that there is a beach for swimming on one side of the road, and on the other is so many cafes/hotels/shops/restaurants that you have a choice of where to eat, what to do, and where to be! That is the beauty of Melbourne – culture and lifestyle rolled into one package!
Returning to the Hotel
After walking along the cafes, the shops and then back along the beach front, it was time to return to the hotel room.
I wanted to have my hair cut for the Schweppes Cocktail Party but I couldn’t find anywhere that could fit me in, or at a reasonable price! I had the money but I couldn’t justify spending $85.00 for a hair trim or $150.00 for cut and style.
The next best thing was to wash my hair and use the hair dryer in the room. I styled it best I could, did my make-up and got dressed…seen as I was walking to the event I carried my high heels and wore my flats – changing shoes as soon as I got there!
The Schweppes Cocktail Party
Stokehouse in St Kilda is like an older style Queenslander building (only it looks new!), located on the beach front, with a lower floor and upper floor dining plus bar for drinking.
It is actually a building that is going under renovations sometime early next year which surprised me because the decor was stunning. The location of The Stokehouse, and the atmosphere, makes a perfect ingredient for perfect dinning!
As I am not a big drinker, I had a meal before the cocktail event, and I sipped mostly on the cocktails instead of drinking them all – after all I had to walk home and I wanted to make sure I made it back to the right hotel!
There was one cocktail that I really enjoyed – it tasted almost like the one that I wrote about – Passion Punch.
Ying Thai Cafe – Pud Prik Gang Dish…Stir fry with chilli paste, bamboo shoot and basil leave with prawns!
With the cocktails were the most amazing delicious decadent sweets/desserts! The Chef in the kitchen of the Stokehouse sure knew his speciality…..I even asked the gorgeous staff if the chef was married 🙂
Sorry to say that he is married – but I was still keen to see if he could travel around Australia with us in our Motorhome – as long as he could cook for us every night!
One of the most yummiest Stokehouse desserts!
Mojito Cocktail – had the most kick!
Sleeping in The Tolarno Hotel
The room in The Tolarno was on Fitzroy Street with a balcony overlooking the area. Amazingly the bed was very comfy and I was able to sleep in! In a bed to myself – with my own TV and bathroom – what more could I ask for?
The Balcony Bedroom!
Waking up and walking across the road to find my favorite Juice Smoothy plus my wake-up coffee I was also able to find an Internet Cafe. Soon enough it was time to check out of the amazing hotel, and almost book into a back packers – I was walking towards one that David had found for me – when a great friend rang to say I could stay with them on Friday night!
About Tolarno Hotel St Kilda
Location – 42 Fitzroy Street St Kilda VIC 3182
phone – (03) 9537 0200
Standard Rooms – Relaxed, individually style rooms with double bed and ensuite
Balcony Rooms – Overlooking Fitzroy Street, to the heart of St Kilda’s Cafe life, each room has its own private balcony!
There are many other room combinations – to book your stay at Tolarno Hotel use the Secure Booking option
Only One More Sleep Till I See My Older Son
Friday night was an extended day of my trip to Melbourne. I wanted to be able to see my older son so I had arranged with Nuffnang to extend my flight back to Brisbane.
It was so nice of Nuffnang to agree to book my flight for Saturday night instead of Friday morning – for that I could never say thankyou enough!
What Is Your Favorite Place To Stay In?
Cheers
Lisa
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Please note that Nuffnang and Schweppes provided my plane trip to Melbourne and my accommodation to The Tolarno Hotel in St Kilda. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
I love the look of the hotel, great internal decorations and I really love the trees at the front. You were lucky to have such nice weather. Congrats!
Hi Jan,
The stay was fantastic – I so would go back to the hotel in a heart beat! Loved my stay in Melbourne – it was so much fun 🙂
Cheers
Lisa
Oh I love Melbourne, just wish I could visit more then every couple of years. Maybe as the kids get older and there is less baby stuff to take. What beautiful weather!
Yeah it was a perfect day in Melbourne! so can understand about less baby stuff to take while travelling 🙂