Alto on Bourke

THE HOTEL INSPECTOR: Breakfast, they say, is the most important meal of the day.

It is also the one meal many large hotels get so horribly wrong by charging their guests ridiculous prices. Does $25 to $35 for a continental breakfast, which generally ends up being cereal, toast and coffee sound familiar?

More often than not The Inspector usually finds a local cafe to have breakfast when staying at these places.

Although this does get you out and about, seeing more of the local way of life of the city you’re staying in, it doesn’t take away from the fact the larger hotels are either: a) deliberately ripping you off; or b) deliberately driving you out of the hotel so they don’t have to make you breakfast.

While in Melbourne for the recent RIU Resources Roundup, The Inspector stayed at the Alto on Bourke Hotel.

 

This isn’t the first time The Inspector has stayed at this particular establishment and, most probably won’t be the last.

One major reason for this is the hotel’s location, which obviously is on Bourke Street in the CBD, within a five minute walk from the airport bus depot at Spencer Street (aka: Southern Cross) Station.

The rooms are small, but adequate for the business traveller with desk space for a computer and free Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access. (Are you reading this and paying attention, Mr Big Hotel Proprietor?)

But, it is breakfast time when Alto on Bourke shines for the simple reason its menu caters for those of us who are budget and value conscious when traveling – be it for business or pleasure.

They do have a buffet and a selection of substantial plate breakfast options – all of which are still reasonably priced at around the $20 mark.

What they also offer are smaller, more cafe-style options with smaller price tags to match.

Morning one The Inspector opted for the bacon and egg sandwich (2 eggs and a generous lashing of bacon) with a coffee for $10.

The next morning it was a bit more crowded in the small dining room due to the overnight influx of Fremantle Dockers supporters, however I was still able get breakfast and blew my budget out by ordering – toast, baked beans, chipolata sausages, and coffee – $12.

Staff are helpful and extremely friendly, which goes a long way to making a stay at Alto on Bourke an enjoyable one.

The Inspector gives Alto on Bourke his tick of approval.

Bar Humbug

This comfortable little nook is around the corner from Alto on Bourke via a small laneway, which adds a nice bit of drama when trying to find it for the first time at night.

Looking down in through the window from Little Bourke Street it can appear the bar is wanting for punters.

However, once you enter you find most people tend to congregate at the back of the bar, away from the cold winds and prying eyes.

A good selection of beers and a varied wine list is supported by some cracking bar food and easy, friendly service.

This is an ideal place for the solo traveller to sit and have a bite to eat and a drink without feeling like you stand out like a thumb at a finger party.