Unbelievable Docklands Views! Orange Stays 889 Melbourne Awaits
Okay, buckle up, because after staying at "Unbelievable Docklands Views! Orange Stays 889 Melbourne Awaits," I've got more feelings than a reality TV contestant after a broken promise. This isn't your cookie-cutter review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, warts and all, and trust me, there were some… interesting warts, especially when it came to the "Unbelievable" part.
The First Impression - Docklands Dazzle (or Lack Thereof?)
First off, the name is ambitious. "Unbelievable Docklands Views"… I'm thinking epic sunsets over the water, maybe a dolphin or two leaping in the distance. The reality? Well, let's just say my balcony overlooked… something. Definitely buildings. Possibly… other buildings. The "unbelievable" part was probably the sheer number of cranes dotting the skyline. Melbourne's a construction zone, folks. Prepare yourselves.
Accessibility: Not Quite Nirvana, But…
Okay, let’s be honest, I didn’t spend a lot of time evaluating every single accessibility feature. I’m walking, and I’m relatively spry. But I did notice – and this is a crucial tip - they do have an elevator (thank the heavens!). So, if stairs are a no-go, you should be good. I saw some signage indicating they were trying to accommodate folks with disabilities, which is always a plus. Did I personally test the wheelchair accessibility of the restaurants? No. But the fact that it exists gives me hope.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Disappointment)
- Restaurants/Lounges: Remember that "Unbelievable" view? Well, finding a restaurant with that view in the hotel wasn't happening. I think the restaurant situation was one of my biggest letdowns. They had restaurants, alright, but the menus were… varied, let's say that. One night I craved something salty, but there was nothing. Another night I was just craving soup, and again, nothing.
- Breakfast: The breakfast was a mixed bag. They offered a buffet (yay!), which included a “Western breakfast” and some “Asian breakfast” fare - it wasn’t anything that spectacular, to be frank. The coffee, however… let's just say it needed some serious help. Thankfully you could order it to your room so you can be disappointed in private.
- The Bar: They had a bar. It served drinks. That's about all I can say.
- Food Delivery - Finally, a Reason to Cheer: Thank GOD for food delivery! Because the hotel’s own options left something to be desired, I was ordering everything from burgers to noodles. Convenience store in the hotel was also a plus.
Relaxation & Recreation - Spa-tacular? (Maybe)
- Fitness Center: Okay, confession time: I'm… not a gym person. I glanced at the fitness center. It looked… adequate. Treadmills, weights, the usual. Nothing to write home about, but it would get the job done if you're into that sort of thing.
- Pool with a View: They claimed a pool with a view. Again, the "view" was… debatable. More buildings. More cranes. But the pool itself was nice and clean, and hey, a dip after walking the city all day did wonders.
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: Sadly, my visit was too brief to explore this properly. I was busy trying to find a decent espresso! But the spa looked pretty swish (from a distance).
Cleanliness & Safety - The COVID Factor
I'm a germaphobe, so I was super focused on this. I was pleased, actually. Everything seemed clean. I could see them sanitizing everywhere. I'm guessing the "Anti-viral cleaning products,” "Professional-grade sanitizing services", and "Room sanitization between stays" were legit because I didn’t get sick. All the staff were wearing masks and seemed genuinely committed to safety. Plus, hand sanitizer everywhere is a win!
The Nitty-Gritty - Services and Conveniences
- The Staff: The staff was… fine. They did their jobs. Friendly enough but not especially memorable. (I'm not saying they weren't friendly, just… not the kind of people you'd want to grab a beer with).
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi! Yay! It worked. Well, sometimes. It cut out once or twice, but honestly, what Wi-Fi doesn’t?
- Daily Housekeeping: My room was always impeccably clean and tidy. No complaints on that front.
- Other Services: They had the usual array of stuff: laundry service, dry cleaning, luggage storage, etc. Nothing groundbreaking, but functional.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: I did see some elevators and ramps, so that seemed promising.
- Currency Exchange: Yes, thankfully, I had forgotten all about the exchange rate.
The Room - My Little Docklands Dungeon
Okay, here's where things get interesting. My room. It was… fine. Nothing special. Not awful. Just… there.
- The View – Revisited: Okay, I'm being dramatic. It wasn’t a dungeon. There was a window. You could see… buildings. (Still.)
- The Bed: The bed was okay. Not the most comfortable, but it did the job.
- The Bathroom: The bathroom was functional. Clean. Basic. No complaints.
- The Extras: Coffee/tea maker? Check. Mini-bar? Check. Air conditioning? Definitely check (thank god, it was hot!). Blackout curtains were a lifesaver against the streetlights (and frankly, the view).
- The Clutter? I am a hoarder by nature, so I did find the spaces a bit small.
Things to Do: Getting Around
- Airport Transfer: They offered one. Didn't use it, but nice to know it's there.
- Car Park [Free of Charge]: That's a huge win! Parking in Melbourne is a nightmare (I’m not sure anymore how to drive).
- Taxi Service: Yep. Available.
- Getting Around (Public Transport): I took the tram. It was easy to get around.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks - The Final Verdict
Would I stay at "Unbelievable Docklands Views!" again?… Ugh. It’s a complicated “maybe.”
The Good: Clean, safe, good location, free parking is a huge plus.
The Bad: The "unbelievable" aspect was a letdown. Food options were limited. Lack of character.
The Ugly:… Nothing explicitly "ugly". Just not particularly memorable.
Final Score: Think of it as a solid 3.5 out of 5 stars. Adequate? Yes. Unbelievable? Not quite. Worth the money? Maybe. Depends on how much you value a decent view and a really good espresso!
Colombo's SkyLounge Apartment: Breathtaking Views, Unforgettable Stay!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is going to be my chaotic, hilarious, borderline disastrous (fingers crossed for the good kind of disastrous) adventure in Melbourne, all starting from this very promising-sounding "Orange Stays - Docklands 889." Honestly, the name alone evokes a feeling of… well, orange. And maybe a hint of futuristic dock life. Let's see if it delivers!
Melbourne Meanderings: A Docklands Debacle (and Hopefully Some Delights)
Day 1: Arrival & Docklands Daze (aka, "Where Did I Park?!")
- Morning (ish) (8:00 AM - Maybe?): Okay, the flight was a clusterf**k. Delayed. Middle seat. Crying baby. Need I say more? Arrive at Tullamarine Airport, looking and feeling like a crumpled napkin. First order of business: find the freaking Skybus. God, I hope I booked the right one. Already imagining myself lugging my suitcase across the freeway.
- Anecdote: Remember the time I accidentally printed my boarding pass on A4 paper? It was basically a scroll. The security guys loved that. 🤣
- Morning (ish cont.): Skybus miraculously found! Melbourne, here I come! Finally, the sweet, sweet promise of… a place to sleep. Arrive at Orange Stays (fingers crossed it's as advertised). Check-in. Pray the place looks like the pictures, and not some cramped, cockroach-infested hellhole.
- Quirky observation: Always judge a hotel by its lobby. It sets the tone. If the lobby smells like stale coffee and bleach, run for the hills.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - Whenever I finally get settled): Unpack. Briefly admire the (hopefully) view from my window. Docklands exploration begins! I've read there's a whole waterfront thing going on. I'm picturing vibrant cafes, maybe a cool market. Also: WHERE DO I PARK?!?!?! This could quickly turn into a multi-hour mission. I'm notoriously terrible at parking. Like, embarrassingly bad.
- Emotional reaction: Okay, deep breaths. I will find a parking spot. I will not cry. I will embrace the chaos. (Famous last words, I'm sure.)
- Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - whenever hunger strikes): Docklands Dinner Recon. I'm thinking something casual. Maybe some fish and chips by the water? Or… am I feeling bold? A fancy restaurant? Nah. Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
- Messy structure: Thinking about food is making me think about how I should have packed more snacks. Travel tip: Always and I mean ALWAYS bring snacks.
- Evening (7:00 PM - Whenever I pass out from jet lag and lack of snacks): Chill time. Watch some TV. Probably fall asleep mid-episode. Marvel at how quickly jet lag can hit you. Contemplate life choices. Specifically, why I didn't book a place with a balcony.
- Strong emotional reaction: I'm already exhausted. Exhausted and slightly terrified. But also… EXCITED! Melbourne, you beautiful, unpredictable beast, here I am!
Day 2: Artsy Fartsy Adventures & Coffee Nirvana (plus, the Parking Predicament)
- Morning (9:00 AM - or when the caffeine kicks in): Coffee. Holy mother of god, coffee. Gotta find a decent cafe, and QUICKLY. Melbourne's coffee scene is legendary. Don't want to disappoint myself. Maybe I should have looked somewhere before I booked the stay. Nope, just let it happen.
- Opinionated language: If the coffee is bad, I'm going to throw a tantrum. I am a coffee snob, and I make no apologies.
- Morning cont. (10 AM -ish): Head into the city. Might as well tackle the public transport, right? Or should I try my luck at parking again? The answer: We'll see, depending how much coffee I've had.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Arts & Culture. Thinking NGV (National Gallery of Victoria). Hoping I can navigate the crowds without succumbing to existential dread. Art makes me feel… things. Sometimes good things. Sometimes very, very confused things.
- Rambling: Honestly, I should probably take a class on interpreting art. Or at least learn to say "Fascinating" with a convincing expression.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Lunch. Probably some street food. Melbourne's supposed to have amazing food trucks. My stomach is starting to rumble at the thought.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Exploring the laneways, those iconic, graffiti-covered alleys, I'll probably get lost, which is a bonus.
- Doubling Down: But I will REALLY try to see this. It's the one thing I keep hearing about. Oh, the street art, the cafes. I can't wait.
- Evening (6:00 PM) : Dinner and Drinks somewhere cool. Trying to find something authentic, nothing too touristy. Maybe a hidden gem. Or maybe I'll just end up at a chain restaurant, utterly defeated by the parking situation and decision fatigue.
- Evening cont.: Head back to Orange Stays. Collapse into bed. Repeat.
Day 3: Coffee, Cats, and Culinary Chaos (plus, the parking… sigh.)
- Morning (9:00 AM - or if I can actually function): Coffee! Again. This is becoming a theme. Might try a different cafe this time, just to expand my horizons.
- Morning cont. (10 AM - Noon): Maybe a cat cafe? Yep, cat cafes are a thing here. I'm a sucker for a fluffy feline.
- Rambling: I already miss my cat. It's only been… well, it hasn't been that long. But I miss her regardless. Are there any cats looking for homes in Melbourne?
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Food tour!!! Get ready!
- Strong emotional reaction: I'm so excited, guys. This is it. I've read online that Melbourne has some epic food tours. I'm going to eat EVERYTHING. Pizza, and Pasta and all kinds of delicious food!
- Messy structure: But a food tour… there's so much food to potentially eat. I'm going to be very full. But very happy at the end of that trip, I assume.
- Evening (6:00 PM) : Wrap things up for the night. Start packing.
- Evening cont.: Head back to Orange Stays. Collapse into bed. Contemplate life choices. Specifically, why I didn't book a place with a balcony.
Day 4: Airport Departure (and Parking Victory?!)
- Morning (whenever I'm supposed to leave): Farewell, Melbourne. Hopefully, I've managed to navigate the parking situation without losing my mind (or my car). Head back to the airport, feeling a mix of sadness and relief.
- Morning cont.: Say goodbye to Melbourne (until next time….hopefully)
- Afternoon: Back in my own bed.
P.S. Don't be surprised if this itinerary changes drastically. I'm a notoriously spontaneous traveler. Anything could happen. Wish me luck… I'm going to need it. And if you see me wandering around looking confused (or lost), feel free to say hi! I probably need directions. And coffee. Always coffee.
Luxury Escape: Ruhpolding's Hidden Gem - Hotel Garni Landhaus Traunbachhausl
Okay, so… Unbelievable Docklands Views, huh? Is it *really* worth all the hype?
Alright, buckle up, 'cause I'm about to get real with you. "Unbelievable Docklands Views" sounds… pretentious. Like something a real estate agent with a comb-over would say. But… yeah. It kinda IS. See, I went in expecting, you know, "Docklands Views." Fine. Okay. Docklands. But then, the *second* you walk in, and you’re on like, the 20th floor or something, and the sun’s hitting just right? BAM. The city explodes. Like, literally. The water shimmers, the buildings are all angles and glass, and suddenly you’re thinking, "Whoa. I’m *living* in a goddamn futuristic movie." It's not always perfect, though. One time, the sky was grey, and the clouds were heavy, and I was actually a little bummed. But even *then*, the view was still… pretty frickin’ fantastic. So, yeah. Hype justified, I guess. Sorry, comb-over guy.
What's the deal with Orange Stays 889 Melbourne? Are they, like, good hosts?
Okay, so Orange Stays. They… they're *fine*. Look, I've stayed in Airbnbs run by ghosts, and I've stayed in places where the only instructions were handwritten on a sticky note that said, "Good luck, lol". Orange Stays is… organised. They send you all the info you need, the check-in is smooth, and if you have a problem… they actually respond! That's a win in my book. But… here's the thing. One time, I was *starving* after a red-eye flight (never fly red-eye, seriously, it’s a mistake), and the welcome pack they promised? Empty. Now, I'm not saying I needed caviar, but a *single* cracker would have saved my sanity. I emailed them, and they apologized, and they sent me a $10 voucher for Uber Eats. Which, hey, is better than nothing. But I'm still holding a tiny grudge about that cracker. It’s a small thing, but it's the principle of the thing, you know? So, yeah, good hosts. Generally. Just, you know... bring your own crackers.
The Docklands… Is it actually *fun*? Or just all shiny buildings and boring offices?
Ah, the million-dollar question! The Docklands. It's… complex. It's definitely got that "new money" vibe, all sleek and polished, like it’s trying REALLY hard to impress. And, yes, there ARE a lot of offices. But! There's also... some cool stuff. The restaurants are pretty decent, and I had the BEST ramen of my life at one place (I can't remember the name, I was too busy inhaling it). The waterfront walk is actually kinda lovely, especially when the weather's cooperating. I remember one time, I was strolling along, feeling all smug and relaxed, and a seagull swooped down and stole my sandwich. Right out of my hand! I swear, I jumped about a mile. So, not *always* perfect, but definitely memorable. And that's something, right? It's not exactly gritty, but it’s got its moments. It's like a really good-looking person with a slightly annoying personality. You still want to spend time with them.
Is the apartment noisy? I need my beauty sleep!
Noise… that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Look, you're in a city. There's going to be *some* noise. Trucks, trams, the distant wail of a siren (that’s just Melbourne, deal with it). But, from my experience, the apartment itself is pretty well insulated. The windows are those fancy double-glazed ones that keep most of the outside world *out*. Unless, of course, some idiot decides to set off fireworks at 2 AM, which, let's face it, is probably going to happen at some point. But generally? Pretty quiet. I'm a light sleeper, the kind who can be awakened by a falling feather (metaphorically, I don’t actually have a feather-sensitive bed), and I managed to sleep just fine. So, yeah, you should be okay. But pack earplugs, just in case. You know, for those damn fireworks.
Is it easy to get around from the apartment? Public transport, Ubers, etc.?
Okay, this is where the Docklands actually shines. Public transport in Melbourne is pretty decent, and the apartment is WELL connected. Trams are practically on your doorstep. Seriously, you walk out the front door, and BAM, tram stop. Getting to the city center is a breeze. Uber? No problem. They're always buzzing around. And it's a relatively easy walk to Southern Cross Station, which is a major hub for trains and buses. I’m terrible with directions, I get lost in my own apartment sometimes, and even *I* managed to navigate the area. Honestly, it’s a win. You can explore Melbourne without needing a car, which, trust me, is a huge plus. I once tried to drive in Melbourne, and it ended with me crying and getting lost and nearly running over a flock of pigeons. So, yeah. Public transport. Embrace it.
Is the apartment clean and well-maintained? I'm a bit of a germaphobe.
Okay, the clean thing. Always a tricky one, isn't it? Let me tell you about the time I stayed in… well, let's just say the less said the better! This place? Yeah, it's fine. Generally. I mean, I'm not a serious germophobe, but I do appreciate a clean space. And the apartment was… acceptably clean. The kitchen was spotless (I checked!) the bathroom was *generally* good. The bedsheets? They *smelled* clean, which is important. I have a thing about smelly bedsheets. It's a deal-breaker. However... (and there's always a however, isn't there?), I *did* find a stray earring under the sofa. Which… okay. It happens. It’s not a deal breaker by *any* means, I’ve seen worse. I mean, I’ve lost earrings myself. So, yeah, clean enough to make me happy. If you're a total clean fanatic, I'd maybe bring some extra wipes or something. But honestly? Relax. You'll be fine.
Is there a good selection of restaurants or cafes nearby? I love to eat!
Okay, food. This is where the Docklands can be a little… variable. There are definitely *places* to eat. It's not like you're stranded in the middle of nowhere. There are a few decent cafes for your morning coffee fix and a quick breakfast. There's even a supermarket within reasonable walking distance if you're feeling the urge to cook. But… and this is the big BUT… the *really* good stuff, the truly *delicious* food? You mightComfort Zone Inn
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