The Prince

The Prince, Melbourne: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The Prince, a Michelin Key Selected property in Melbourne's vibrant St Kilda, consistently garners high praise for its blend of Art Deco charm, modern luxury, and exceptional hospitality. Guests frequently highlight its prime location, stylish design, and attentive staff as standout features.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Prince is overwhelmingly positive, with an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 based on over 800 reviews on Booking.com. Hotels.com also shows an excellent rating of 8.8 out of 10 from over 1,000 reviews. Guests frequently describe their stays as "fantastic," "lovely," and "perfect," often expressing a desire to return. The hotel is considered a "boutique hotel" offering a "luxurious experience".

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of The Prince:

• Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as "super friendly," "helpful," "attentive," and "accommodating". Personalized touches, such as welcome notes for special occasions, are particularly appreciated.
• Location: The hotel's position in St Kilda is a major draw, offering easy access to the beach (a 5-minute walk), cafes, shops, and public transport (trams) for reaching the CBD.
• Design & Ambiance: The Prince seamlessly blends original Art Deco architecture with modern comforts and clever design flourishes. Guests appreciate the "nice design for everything" and the "attractive and well-appointed" aesthetic, featuring raw timber furnishings and soft pastels.
• Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, on-site parking (though charges may apply for self-service), and a 24-hour front desk are frequently mentioned amenities. The hotel also offers room service, laundry, dry cleaning, and access to a spa and sauna.

3. Room Quality

The 39 rooms at The Prince are designed for luxury and comfort. Guests consistently praise the "super comfortable" beds and high-quality bed linen. Rooms are often described as "clean and comfortable," "spacious," and "well-appointed". Features include air conditioning, private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, minibars, refrigerators, electric kettles, and bathrobes and slippers. Many rooms boast balconies with views of Fitzroy Street, Port Phillip Bay, or the Melbourne skyline, and some suites offer bathtubs. While generally lauded for their clean and modern feel, some reviews mention minor signs of wear like peeling paint or water damage in older parts of bathrooms.

4. Dining Experience

The Prince offers diverse culinary experiences through its on-site restaurants and bars.

• Prince Public Bar: This bistro specializes in local Australian cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can also enjoy drinks at the bar.
• Little Prince Wine: An on-site wine bar offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, with an award-winning wine list featuring over 4,000 bottles.
• Prince Dining Room: Led by Head Chef Dan Cooper, it offers a seasonal menu with local flavors and European influences, along with gourmet antipasto and canapés.
• Breakfast: Cooked-to-order breakfast is available, though some guests found the à la carte breakfast pricey or preferred nearby cafes. One specific complaint noted the "avo smash" was disappointing, though the egg and bacon roll was recommended.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at The Prince is consistently rated as a major strength, with staff receiving scores as high as 9.3 out of 10. Guests frequently use terms like "exceptional," "friendly," "helpful," and "attentive" to describe their interactions. The front desk team is particularly commended for being informative and making guests feel welcome. Instances of staff going "above and beyond" to make stays special, such as acknowledging birthdays, are also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located at 2 Acland Street in St Kilda, The Prince boasts a highly desirable location.

• Neighborhood: St Kilda is described as cosmopolitan, vibrant, and "hip," offering a lively atmosphere with plenty of entertainment, cafes, and restaurants.
• Attractions: It's just a 5-minute walk from St Kilda Beach and close to Luna Park, St Kilda Pier, and the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
• Transport: The hotel provides easy access to Melbourne's CBD via tram lines, with the number 16 tram being a direct option. It's approximately a 30-40 minute drive from Tullamarine Airport.

7. Value & Pricing

While The Prince is a luxury boutique hotel, many guests find it offers good value for money, with Booking.com scoring it 8.4 for value. Some reviews specifically mention good value, especially for last-minute bookings. Prices can range, with examples like AU$196 for a Deluxe Room and other rooms from around $105 to $214 depending on the type and booking platform. Children between 2 and 12 years old can stay free of charge.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Noise Levels: Due to its central location on a junction and the presence of the Prince Bandroom (a concert venue), some guests have experienced noise, particularly at night or from internal building work.
• Construction/Renovation Noise: A specific complaint mentioned being woken up by hammering, drilling, and loud tradie voices from an adjacent room renovation starting early in the morning.
• Wifi Reliability: At least one review noted unreliable Wi-Fi.
• Dated Facilities (Minor): While renovated, some minor signs of wear and tear, such as peeling paint or water damage in older parts of bathrooms, have been observed.
• Breakfast Offering: Some guests found the à la carte breakfast options less appealing or more expensive than expected, leading them to seek breakfast outside the hotel.
• Staircase Inconvenience: A few guests found the staircase inconvenient when carrying large luggage.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. hotels.com
3. agoda.com
4. booking.com
5. myboutiquehotel.com
6. michelin.com
7. expedia.com
8. hotels.com
9. agoda.com
10. youtube.com
11. melbournetophotels.com
12. allmelbournehotels.com
13. hotels-melbourne.net
14. expedia.com.au
15. kayak.com.au