I want to stay near Melbourne Airport, but I do not know if I can afford it, which are the words I hear all the time. Airport hotels are notoriously expensive in Melbourne. These days, cheap hotels near Melbourne Airport don’t exist. It is common knowledge that hotels near airports are expensive.
If you are arriving at your hotel late and leaving early it always seems like a lot of money to spend just to have a sleep before catching a plane.
During the last year or so, we have had several early morning flights out of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, which has required us to stay near Melbourne Airport. We are always looking for cheap hotels near Melbourne airport.
Hotels at Melbourne Airport, such as the Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport, Mantra Melbourne Airport, and the ParkRoyal Melbourne Airport, will cost you an arm and a leg to stay at. If you do not want to spend that much money, we have a great alternative.
The Alexander Motor Inn
Just this year, we have come across The Alexander Motor Inn in Essendon while searching hotel sites. It seemed like a well-priced hotel in a convenient location with easy access to Melbourne Airport, which is just 12.6 kilometres from the hotel. The journey to the airport will take around 15 miutes by car via Mount Alexander Road and the Tullermarine freeway.
Alexander Motor Inn Essendon is a good hotel near Melbourne Airport and is a great choice if you’re looking for a night’s stay. It is motel-like accommodation, nothing fancy involved. It has good, no-fuss rooms with comfortable beds and plenty of free parking.
Location: 980 Mount Alexander Road, Essendon
There are no swimming pools, restaurants or gyms and you will need your own transport to the airport from the hotel. There is no hotel shuttle bus available nor is public transport an option from this location unless you have around 60-90 minutes to spare. Some rooms are located on the second floor, so if you have mobility issues it may be worth asking for a ground floor room.
Planning for a romantic holiday in Melbourne? Read our guide to the ultimate list of romantic things to do in Melbourne
The hotel is surrounded by other apartment buildings, making it pretty quiet at night except for the sound of the occasional loud car or truck passing by.
We have stayed twice at Alexander Motor Inn. Once, we stayed in a family room with two bedrooms accommodating four people. One room had the traditional queen-size bed, while the other had two single beds. The room had a TV, air conditioning, and a shower with great water pressure.
The double room had a TV, air conditioning, a small table and chairs, and a comfortable double bed. The shower was excellent, with good water pressure and temperature. There was a kettle with tea, coffee and biscuits in the room. It was good to be able to make a coffee before heading to the airport.
It is a good budget option close to Melbourne Airport
We are not saying it is the best hotel or option, but this hotel is a good price, has free Wi-Fi, and is close to the airport terminals if you are only looking for a bed for the night. It has all the facilities that you will need for a short stay before flying out of Melbourne.
We found their customer service to be excellent. When we had late-night check-ins in the past, the hotel communicated all the instructions to get into the room in an easy-to-understand manner.
The hotel office closes at 5:00. Earlier in the day, we received a text instructing us to enter our room via the keylock box next to the office door. If you’re looking for a place to eat nearby, you can go to the Windy Hill Bistro, which is just 600 meters away.
We booked our rooms through Expedia, where you can compare prices with other sites like Booking.com. We paid between $125 and $150 for the night, far less than the $350-$400 you would pay at an airport IHG hotel or any hotel in Melbourne airport.
No matter your choice, we will stay at Alexander Motor Inn again before our international flights at Melbourne Airport in the future.
If you have an idea, attraction, or top spot in Victoria, feel free to comment or email us at contact@explorevictoriaaustralia.com.
More travel inspiration for Victoria
Author Bio
Mark Wyld is a passionate writer and explorer, weaving tales inspired by a deep love for his home state of Victoria. With local knowledge, Mark seeks to share insights and experiences that captivate and inspire readers. When not immersed in writing, you can find him working in Disability Support or spending time with family and friends. Follow Mark for a journey through Victoria’s best sights, tastes and attractions.