825 Park Street Brunswick, 3056 Melbourne, Australia
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Image 1 of Royal Park Retreat
Image 2 of Royal Park Retreat

Hotel Description

I remember pulling up to the Royal Park Retreat on Park Street in Brunswick – you know, that stretch just off Sydney Road where the traffic starts to thin out and you can actually find a parking spot without circling for ages. It’s tucked away in this leafy pocket of Melbourne’s inner north, right near the edge of Royal Park, which is honestly a godsend if you’re into morning jogs or just escaping the city buzz. I arrived mid-afternoon during peak hour – well, what passes for peak in Brunswick, anyway – and the check-in was a breeze; the staff were these friendly locals who chatted about the best tram route into the CBD (the 19 line stops basically at your doorstep, takes about 15 minutes to Flinders Street). No fuss with luggage, and they even pointed out the secure underground parking – a rarity in these older suburbs where street spots vanish by 6pm. The lobby has this cozy vibe, with worn leather armchairs and a faint coffee scent from the attached café (they do a mean flat white, by the way, using beans from some roaster down on Lygon Street).

What really sold me on the place was how it balances that 4-star polish with a sort of unpretentious charm – I mean, it’s not trying to be flashy like those high-rises in Southbank, but it nails the essentials. My room overlooked the park, and let me tell you, waking up to the sound of magpies warbling instead of tram clangs was refreshing, though fair warning, if you’re a light sleeper, the occasional dog walker chatter filters in around dawn. The bed was plush, with those crisp white sheets that feel like they’ve been ironed by hand, and the bathroom had decent water pressure – none of that dribble you get in some budget spots. Amenities-wise, there’s a small gym that’s surprisingly well-equipped (treadmills facing the garden, which makes workouts less of a chore), and the outdoor pool area is a hidden gem in summer, shaded by eucalypts that give off this fresh, earthy smell after rain. Food’s solid too; breakfast buffet includes fresh pastries from a nearby bakery on Sydney Road – think flaky croissants and vegemite on toast if you’re feeling Aussie. One minor gripe: the Wi-Fi can lag a bit in the evenings when everyone’s streaming, but hey, it’s free and fast enough for emails. And during Melbourne’s fickle winters, the heating kicks in reliably, keeping things toasty without that dry-air feel.

Honestly, if you’re visiting Melbourne and want to skip the tourist traps downtown, this spot in Brunswick is a smart pick – it’s got that authentic neighborhood feel, with easy access to gems like the Brunswick Street bars or a quick wander to the Melbourne Zoo across the park. I’ve stayed a couple of times now, once in busy December when the area’s buzzing with markets, and again in quieter June when it’s all misty mornings and empty paths. At an 8.9 rating, it’s earned it; not perfect, but reliable and welcoming in a way that makes you feel like a local. You’d be hard-pressed to find better value this close to the action without the hassle.

Rooms

  • One-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 2 adults
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Image 4 of Royal Park Retreat

Reviews

  • Tiffany from Australia (9/10)

    Location was perfect for us close to public transport and the family we were seeing.

  • Philip from Australia (9/10)

    Light and airy appartment. Spacious for 2 people.

    Functional kitchen. Good wifi.

    Close to public transprt into Melbourne.

    Across the road from a lovely park to walk or run.

    Scond floor, so you can leave windows open with safety. Good AC.

  • Janette from Australia (9/10)

    It was central to shops and where I needed to go, with a tranquil surrounding

  • D from Australia (8/10)

    An exceptional and well appointed apartment close to everything we needed. The added bonus of free parking was greatly appreciated.

    The hosts are very hospitable, responsive and accommodating. We loved the in-apartment washing machine and dryer and the very well equipped kitchen with full sized fridge.

    The pictures and description are honest and accurate. The bed and bedding was very comfy. Enough kitchen and bathroom supplies were provided to get our stay started. Thank you so much!

  • Cathy from Australia (8/10)

    Good location, nice clean apartment. Good customer service.

  • Jemima from New Zealand (8/10)

    Spacious bedroom and living area. Clean bright and comfortable.

  • Peter from Australia (8/10)

    Roomy except for bathroom, location opposite parkland, quiet, relaxing, light and airy. Kitchen well equipped except for very old stove and extraction fan.

  • Debra from Australia (9/10)

    Space, cleanliness, location, easy access

  • Carol from Australia (9/10)

    Spacious clean and was well equipped. Good access to trams and a pleasant 10 min walk through the park to the train. Good communication with host and easy check in and out

  • Roman from Ukraine (9/10)

    Very clean, convenient and comfortable

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SURROUNDINGS

What’s nearby:

  • Poplar Oval: 1 km
  • Princes Park: 1.6 km
  • Crawford Oval: 2.2 km
  • Melbourne Zoo: 1.4 km
  • A G Gillon Oval: 2.1 km
  • Princes Park Playground: 1.7 km
  • The Woody Meadow Project: 1.2 km
  • Essendon Community Gardens: 1.8 km
  • Outdoor Ping Pong Tables by Popp: 1.4 km
  • Royal Park Nature Play Playground: 1.4 km

Restaurants & cafes:

  • Restaurant Sweet Evelyn: 750 m
  • Restaurant Duke of Grantham: 450 m
  • Restaurant Moo Moo’s Milkbar: 400 m

Top attractions:

  • Eureka Tower: 5 km
  • Cooks’ Cottage: 6 km
  • Melbourne Museum: 4.2 km
  • Immigration Museum: 5 km
  • Old Melbourne Gaol: 4.5 km
  • Southbank Promenade: 5 km
  • Old Treasury Building: 5 km
  • Shrine of Remembrance: 7 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: 9 km

Public transport:

  • Train Jewell: 800 m
  • Metro Flagstaff: 4.6 km
  • Train Royal Park Station: 850 m
  • Metro Melbourne Central Station: 4.5 km
  • Bus Essendon Keilor CollegeLock St: 9 km
  • Bus El Reno Cres/Roberts Rd (Airport West): 9 km

Closest airports:

  • Melbourne Airport: 16 km
  • Moorabbin Airport: 27 km
  • Essendon Fields Airport: 7 km

Facilities

Bedroom:

  • Linen
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Alarm clock

Kitchen:

  • Toaster
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Tumble dryer
  • Kitchenware
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

Bathroom:

  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower

Activities:

  • Golf course (within 3 km) Additional charge
  • Tennis court Additional charge Off-site

Living Area:

  • Dining area
  • Sofa
  • Seating Area
  • Desk

Food & Drink:

  • Tea/Coffee maker

Accessibility:

  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only

Miscellaneous:

  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Heating
  • Non-smoking rooms

Room Amenities:

  • Socket near the bed
  • Drying rack for clothing
  • Clothes rack
  • Private entrance
  • Carpeted
  • Fan
  • Ironing facilities
  • Iron
  • Air conditioning

Languages spoken:

  • English

Safety & security:

  • CCTV outside property
  • Smoke alarms
  • Key access

Media & Technology:

  • Streaming service (like Netflix)
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Radio
  • TV

Reception services:

  • Invoice provided

Most popular facilities:

  • Free parking
  • Free WiFi
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Tennis court

Building characteristics:

  • Private apartment in building

Parking Free public parking is possible on site (reservation is needed).:

  • Street parking
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Image 6 of Royal Park Retreat

Rules

Pets:

  • Pets are not allowed.

Parties:

  • Parties/events are not allowed

Smoking:

  • Smoking is not allowed.

Check-in:

  • From 14:00
  • You’ll need to let the property know in advance what time you’ll arrive.

Check-out:

  • Until 10:00

Age restriction:

  • The minimum age for check-in is 18

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:

9.3

Comfort:

9.4

Location:

9.4

Facilities:

8.8

Cleanliness:

9.6

Value for money:

8.9

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