We took a long time deciding where to stay in Melbourne with a 5 month old baby and eventually chose the Medina Executive on Flinders Street which has been given excellent reviews by a number of members. It lived up to all expectations. We were given a 2 bedroom apartment on the 15th floor so we had great views down the Yarra River, across the Eureka building and Southbank all the way to the sea. The balcony wasn't much but the view was visible from large glass doors from the lounge area. Location-wise, you couldn't get better. It really is close to everything, including Federation Square and Flinders Station.

The decor wasn't designer, but it was modern / neutral and the kitchen was really well equipped with decent pots and pans and bits-and-pieces for cooking. This was really useful for nights spent in without a babysitter, however the IGA supermarket, conveniently located just next door was extremely expensive! There is also a very nice Japanese restaurant that backs onto the hotel down one of Melbourne's famous lanes and they provided lovely takeways.

For the baby, we were given a cot and a high chair. And the staff were all lovely and went to great lengths to provide maps and directions for us.

On our way to the airport we noticed the other Medina, I think also on Flinders St - it didn't seem as central as the M. Executive.

We stayed here as a group of about 20 spread across 4-5 apartments. While it was not cheap, we got a 50% discount using the 'Entertainment Book' that is common in New Zealand and Australia. The 3 bedroom apartment that we congregated in was massive. It also had a 17th floor balcony overlooking the Yarra, MCG and parkland of Melbourne.

I'd recommend advanced investigation of eating out in Melbourne as this is something we did struggle for. There are some nice places to eat nearby in Federation Square, but otherwise it was a 15 minute walk to Chinatown.

Great if you're staying in Melbourne for the cricket or tennis!

We went to Melb for my husbands birthday. We had a two bedroom apartment and the views were fantastic.

Our balcony overlooked Flinders Street and right across the road from Birrarung Marr.

I thought at first our bedroom facing Flinders Street would mean it would be noisy but it wasnt and I am a very light sleeper.

Apartment was clean and we would certainly stay there again

I stayed three days while at a conference and our apartment (I shared a 2-bedroom apt with my boss) was clean and comfortable and serviced every day. We had plenty of room and a bathroom each, which was good. The building security is pretty good too, with card access to the floors as well as keys. At night you also have to use card access for the front doors. While the aprtment was quiet and the bed was good, I was distrbed a couple of nights by drunks from a bar making a row at the back of the hotel at around 4am. The Medina should really sort out this problem. If you are jet-lagged and desperate for a sound sleep, getting woken up is a recipe for misery.

One final thing: our fifteenth floor apartment had lovely views south over Albert Park and the Yarra. The balcony was a bit scary and I didn't go out on it, but the view with the sliding door open was peaceful and interesting to watch as people cycled and exercised in the park and rowed on the river. Would definitely stay here again.