

Hotel Description
I remember pulling up to 13 Davis Street in Kensington after a long flight into Melbourne – honestly, I was knackered, but the moment I stepped out of the Uber, the vibe just hit me right. This isn’t one of those sterile high-rises in the CBD; it’s a proper holiday home tucked into a leafy residential pocket, the kind where locals actually live and walk their dogs past Victorian terraces. Kensington’s got that inner-city edge without the chaos – you’re about a 10-minute drive from the heart of the city, or you can hop on the 57 tram right around the corner on Macaulay Road, which rattles you straight to Flinders Street Station. I mean, if you’re into horse racing, Flemington Racecourse is literally a stone’s throw away; I wandered over there one afternoon during non-race days and it was peacefully empty, with that fresh-cut grass smell lingering in the air. Parking was a breeze too – there’s street spots out front, though it gets a bit competitive on weekends when everyone’s heading to the markets. Check-in was self-service with a lockbox, super straightforward, but fair warning, if you’re arriving late, the street’s pretty quiet after 10 PM, so no fumbling in the dark like I did once.
What really sold me on this place – it’s rated a solid 9.3 for a reason – is how it feels like a home away from home, not some impersonal hotel room. The four-star setup includes a cozy living area with plush couches that you sink into after a day exploring, and a kitchen that’s actually stocked with basics like coffee pods and decent cookware (I whipped up a brekkie of avo toast using stuff from the nearby Kensington Food Hall on Bellair Street – their fresh bread is killer). The bedrooms are spacious, with those crisp white linens that smell faintly of lavender detergent, and the bathroom’s got a rain shower that blasts away any travel grime. It’s not perfect, though – the Wi-Fi can be a tad spotty in the back rooms during peak hours, like when everyone’s streaming after dinner, and if you’re a light sleeper, you might hear the occasional tram ding or distant traffic from the Citylink freeway nearby. But honestly, that just adds to the authentic Melbourne hum, you know? I spent evenings on the small balcony, sipping a flat white, watching the sunset over the rooftops – it’s those little moments that make it special. And during spring racing carnival, the energy ramps up; book early if you’re coming for the Melbourne Cup, as prices spike, but it’s worth it for the buzz.
All in all, if you’re after a spot that’s close enough to the CBD’s laneway cafes and Queen Victoria Market (a quick 15-minute tram ride) without feeling touristy, this Kensington gem is spot on. It’s ideal for families or small groups – sleeps up to six comfortably – or even solo travelers like me who want space to spread out. Sure, it’s not the cheapest during busy seasons, but the value’s there in the thoughtful touches, like the local guidebook they leave on the coffee table with tips on hidden gems like the nearby Moonee Ponds Creek trail for a morning jog. I’d go back in a heartbeat; it just captures that laid-back Melbourne spirit without trying too hard.
Rooms
- Holiday Home with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 2 × 2 single beds and 2 × 1 single bed for 6 adults, 1 child


Reviews
Mccarten from Australia (10/10)
Perfect location, a short walk to supermarkets, the pub, food and Flemington Racecourse.
House was really well kept, great beds, plenty of cutlery, plates, condiments etc. BBQ was a bonus too.
Sharlene and her husband were quick to respond with any enquiries and happy to help with requests.
Check in was extremely easy. We'll be back for sure.Cass from Australia (9/10)
The property had everything we needed for our stay.
Christian from United Kingdom (10/10)
Sharlene was an excellent host
Rinaar from Taiwan (10/10)
The host Sharlene was very friendly and considering. The response was super fast and provided us very helpful information we would need. The house was spacious, clean and we'll equipped with all the necessaries we may need. It was a pleasant stay.
Jennifer from Australia (10/10)
Great location and very clean. Everything you need at your fingertips.
Seyhock from Malaysia (10/10)
The property is clean and comfy. As we arriving at late night, the host prepared some foods for us (what a kind gesture).
Plenty of parking around. Huge compound for some outdoor activity like BBQ/ etc.
Nice kitchen facility that we look it a lot.Brandon from Australia (10/10)
Great property, well maintained, with a great location close to restraunts, grocery stores and public transport.
Shanna from Australia (10/10)
We have had a wonderful stay here, it has been perfect. Very close for us to travel where we need to go, most likely be back next year.
Other than that we can not complain about location, property, communication and homely comforts.
A stay that has created wonderful memories for my children and family.Emma from New Zealand (10/10)
The Property was very Cosy and exceptionally family friendly with a big park in the front of location minutes walk to our venue for my competition close to all shops and cafes nearby beautiful 3 bedroom home well set up house was very warm and situated in a nice private location and very clean and Tidy easy access no hassles owner was very Respectful friendly helpful and kind
Naomi from Australia (10/10)
Spotless, excellent communication, great location.
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SURROUNDINGS
What’s nearby:
- Dog Park: 1.3 km
- The Venny: 1.2 km
- Newmarket Reserve: 950 m
- Womens Peace Garden: 800 m
- Kensington Hall Reserve: 350 m
- Essendon Community Gardens: 2.1 km
- Clayton Reserve Fenced Dog Park: 1.6 km
- Outdoor Ping Pong Tables by Popp: 1.3 km
- North Melbourne Recreation Reserve: 1.9 km
- Boulevard Pavilion-Melbourne Showgrounds: 2.3 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Sahra’s Kitchen: 200 m
- Restaurant Flemington Kebab House: 200 m
- Restaurant Parrot House Restaurant: 200 m
Top attractions:
- Eureka Tower: 5 km
- Melbourne Zoo: 2.5 km
- Melbourne Museum: 4.5 km
- Immigration Museum: 4.9 km
- Old Melbourne Gaol: 4.3 km
- Southbank Promenade: 5 km
- Shrine of Remembrance: 6 km
- SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium: 4.8 km
- Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: 7 km
- ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image: 5 km
Natural beauty:
- Lake Ornamental Lake: 7 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Sandridge Beach: 8 km
- Middle Park Beach: 8 km
Public transport:
- Metro Flagstaff: 4 km
- Train Newmarket: 400 m
- Train Kensington: 600 m
- Metro Melbourne Central Station: 4.2 km
- Bus Essendon Keilor CollegeLock St: 9 km
- Bus El Reno Cres/Roberts Rd (Airport West): 9 km
Closest airports:
- Melbourne Airport: 14 km
- Moorabbin Airport: 27 km
- Essendon Fields Airport: 7 km
Facilities
Bedroom:
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
- Extra long beds (> 2 metres)
Kitchen:
- Children’s high chair
- Dining table
- Coffee machine
- Cleaning products
- Toaster
- Stovetop
- Oven
- Tumble dryer
- Kitchenware
- Electric kettle
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
- Kitchenette
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Additional toilet
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Bath
- Shower
Outdoors:
- Picnic area
- Outdoor furniture
- Outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- BBQ facilities
- Patio
- Balcony
- Terrace
- Garden
Living Area:
- Dining area
- Sofa
- Desk
Food & Drink:
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Miscellaneous:
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Non-smoking rooms
Outdoor & View:
- Inner courtyard view
- View
Room Amenities:
- Sofa bed
- Drying rack for clothing
- Fold-up bed
- Clothes rack
- Hardwood or parquet floors
- Private entrance
- Carpeted
- Fan
- Ironing facilities
- Iron
Languages spoken:
- English
Cleaning services:
- Laundry
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Key card access
Media & Technology:
- Flat-screen TV
- TV
Reception services:
- Invoice provided
- Private check-in/check-out
Great for your stay:
- Parking
- Private bathroom
- Balcony
- Bath
- Free WiFi
- View
- Air conditioning
- Terrace
- Kitchen
- Free parking
Building characteristics:
- Semi-detached
Entertainment and family services:
- Board games/puzzles
- Books, DVDs, or music for children
- Board games/puzzles
- Children’s playground


Rules
Pets:
- Pets are not allowed.
Parties:
- Parties/events are not allowed
Smoking:
- Smoking is not allowed.
Check-in:
- From 14:00 to 23:00
- Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
Check-out:
- From 07:00 to 10:00
Age restriction:
- The minimum age for check-in is 21
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:
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