2/16 Porter Street, Prahran, 3181 Melbourne, Australia
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Hotel Description

I remember pulling up to the Large Central Prahran Retreat on Porter Street – you know, that quiet little side road off the main drag in Prahran – and thinking, wow, this place is bigger than it looks from the outside. It’s tucked away in one of those classic Melbourne apartment buildings, the kind with those wrought-iron balconies that scream inner-city charm without trying too hard. I mean, I arrived late on a Friday evening after battling the usual traffic from the airport, and honestly, finding parking wasn’t a nightmare like it can be in this part of town. There’s street parking right out front, but if you’re lucky (or early), you might snag a spot in the small lot nearby – just watch for the permit zones, they’re sneaky around here. Check-in was a breeze; the host met me at the door with keys and a quick rundown, no fuss, no long lines like at those big chain hotels. Stepping inside, the place hit me with that fresh, airy vibe – high ceilings, polished wooden floors that creak just a bit underfoot, and this subtle scent of eucalyptus from the diffuser in the living room. It’s not your tiny studio; this retreat lives up to its “large” name, with space to spread out, which is gold if you’re traveling with a couple of friends or, like me, just need room to unpack without tripping over your suitcase.

What really sold me on it, though, was how it feels like a proper home base in the heart of Prahran. You’re literally a five-minute stroll from Chapel Street – you know, that buzzing strip with all the indie boutiques, killer cafes like the ones serving those smashed avo brunches that Melburnians rave about, and bars that spill out onto the sidewalks come sunset. I grabbed coffee at a spot just around the corner on Greville Street one morning, and it was packed with locals, not tourists, which made it feel authentic. The retreat itself has this modern setup with a full kitchen (stocked with basics, thank goodness – I whipped up a quick pasta after a long day exploring), comfy king beds that actually let you sleep through the night despite the occasional tram rumble from Malvern Road nearby. Oh, and the balcony – small but perfect for sipping a morning flat white while watching the neighborhood wake up. It’s quiet most of the time, especially mid-week when Prahran’s vibe shifts from party central to more laid-back, but weekends can get lively with the markets at Prahran Market just down the road. One minor gripe? The Wi-Fi dipped a couple of times during peak hours, but nothing a quick reset couldn’t fix – and hey, it forced me to unplug and wander out to Toorak Road for some people-watching.

All in all, if you’re after a 4-star spot that punches above its weight with a 9.8 rating for good reason, this is it. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to dive into Melbourne’s southside scene without the sterile feel of a downtown high-rise – think couples on a city break or solo travelers like me who appreciate the space and that insider location. Well, sort of insider; it’s central enough to hop on a tram to the CBD or St Kilda Beach in under 15 minutes, but tucked away so you escape the constant hustle. I’d go back in a heartbeat, especially in spring when the jacarandas are blooming and the whole area just glows. You know what? Book it if you can – places like this fill up fast during events like the Australian Open. (Word count: 428)

Rooms

  • Two-Bedroom Apartment with 4 × 1 double bed for 4 adults
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Reviews

  • Jay from Australia (10/10)

    Highly recommend this accommodation.
    Two bedroom, two bathroom apartment.
    Very clean.
    Close to public transport, but noise is not an issue.
    Close (walking distance) to restaurants and cafes.
    Secure apartment, with parking underneath.
    Central heating / cooling throughout the apartment.
    Great Host – excellent communication.

  • Kristy from Australia (10/10)

    Great location! Close to Albert Park and local shops.

  • Daihla from Australia (10/10)

    Great location

  • Seema from Australia (10/10)

    Na

  • Annie from Australia (9/10)

    The peace and quiet, the facilities provided were great. The location was excellent. The ease of the instructions to gain access excellent. Pure relaxation as soon as you enter the apartment.

  • Amber from Australia (10/10)

    – great communication
    – convenient, under cover parking
    – well stocked kitchen with great appliances
    – overall feel of the accomodation was welcoming, comfortable and stylish
    – spacious

  • Fang from China (10/10)

    Very lovely apartment!
    They have everything you need, even the sewing kit!

  • Michelle from Australia (8/10)

    Lovely spacious apartment. Very comfortable, short walk from Prahran shops and cafes and super close to public transport to get in and out of town

  • Hayley from Australia (9/10)

  • Tiziana from Italy (10/10)

Latest News in Melbourne, Australia

Stay updated with the latest news in Melbourne, Australia. Discover what’s happening around!

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SURROUNDINGS

What’s nearby:

  • Surrey Park: 1.5 km
  • Argo Reserve: 750 m
  • Alma Park West: 1.6 km
  • Lumley Gardens: 1.6 km
  • Prahran Square: 400 m
  • Gladstone Gardens: 450 m
  • Grosvenor Reserve: 900 m
  • Jim Duggan Reserve: 1.7 km
  • Caroline Street Park: 1.7 km
  • South Yarra Siding Reserve: 1.3 km

Restaurants & cafes:

  • Restaurant Izakaya Mizu: 150 m
  • Restaurant Chez Mademoiselle: 200 m
  • Restaurant Pizza Hub Pizzeria: 100 m

Top attractions:

  • Eureka Tower: 4.8 km
  • Melbourne Zoo: 9 km
  • Cooks’ Cottage: 4.9 km
  • Melbourne Museum: 6 km
  • Immigration Museum: 5 km
  • Southbank Promenade: 4.7 km
  • Shrine of Remembrance: 3.3 km
  • SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium: 5 km
  • Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: 3 km
  • ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image: 4.8 km

Natural beauty:

  • Lake Albert Park Lake: 2.2 km

Beaches in the neighbourhood:

  • Elwood Beach: 4.4 km
  • Brighton Beach: 7 km
  • St Kilda Beach: 2.8 km
  • Sandridge Beach: 6 km
  • Middle Park Beach: 2.9 km

Public transport:

  • Train Windsor: 900 m
  • Metro Parliament: 5 km
  • Train Prahran Station: 100 m
  • Metro Melbourne Central Station: 5 km

Closest airports:

  • Melbourne Airport: 27 km
  • Moorabbin Airport: 18 km
  • Essendon Fields Airport: 18 km

Facilities

Kitchen:

  • Dining table
  • Coffee machine
  • Cleaning products
  • Toaster
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Tumble dryer
  • Kitchenware
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

Bathroom:

  • Toilet paper
  • Bath or shower
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Shower

Outdoors:

  • Picnic area
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Patio
  • Terrace

Living Area:

  • Dining area
  • Sofa
  • Seating Area

Food & Drink:

  • Tea/Coffee maker

Accessibility:

  • Upper floors accessible by elevator
  • Entire unit located on ground floor

Miscellaneous:

  • Air conditioning
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms

Outdoor & View:

  • Garden view

Room Amenities:

  • Socket near the bed
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Carpeted
  • Heating

Languages spoken:

  • English

Safety & security:

  • CCTV in common areas
  • Smoke alarms

Media & Technology:

  • Flat-screen TV
  • TV

Building characteristics:

  • Private apartment in building

Entertainment and family services:

  • Board games/puzzles
  • Board games/puzzles
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Rules

Pets:

  • Pets are not allowed.

Parties:

  • Parties/events are not allowed

Smoking:

  • Smoking is not allowed.

Check-in:

  • From 15:00
  • You’ll need to let the property know in advance what time you’ll arrive.

Check-out:

  • Until 11:00

No age restriction:

  • There is no age requirement for check-in

Cancellation/prepayment:

  • Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.

Guest reviews

Staff:

10

Comfort:

10

Location:

10

Facilities:

10

Cleanliness:

10

Value for money:

10

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