In a multicultural patch of Melbourne, this is the ultimate base

The hotel

Holiday Inn Dandenong, Victoria

Check-in

The lobby at Holiday Inn Dandenong, Victoria.

The CBD of Dandenong, 35 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, isn’t particularly attractive as suburban centres go and Greater Dandenong has its well-publicised socio-economic issues. But the city of Dandenong is one of Melbourne’s most culturally diverse suburbs with a notable Little India and one of the most famous and best fresh food markets in Australia. Government and private developments have in recent times seen new civic buildings and other properties arise and more are mooted. The 124-room Holiday Inn Dandenong, in the middle of town, across the road from the Reading Cinema and Dandenong Square shopping centre, is another boost for the suburb.

The look

The open lobby area at Holiday Inn Dandenong.

The hotel is representative of Holiday Inn’s aim to be family-friendly, eco-conscious and tech-savvy with an up-market vibe. The accent is on clean and crisp with a nature-inspired soft-furnishing colour scheme of blue, green and ochre. Curves feature as do tried-and-true design elements such as velvet banquettes and patterned wallpaper. It’s a mix of simple Scandi and mid-century with an underlay of practicality.

The open lobby space wraps around the reception desk with one side set up for meetings. The other side is mostly taken up by the restaurant with a TV lounge off it and the bar directly opposite the reception desk. There are a couple of small meetings and events spaces, a gym with enough equipment for a basic workout, and a secure undercover car park with EV charging. Hallways are wide and well lit, great for those with mobility issues.

The room

Room at Holiday Inn Dandenong.

My suite comprises a windowless lounge area, a bathroom and a nicely sized bedroom with a very comfortable king bed looking out to an open-air void, meaning it’s very quiet. Both rooms have TVs. Wi-Fi is strong, the reading lights are good and the rest of the lighting scheme is simple to operate. The bathroom is bright and practically laid out, there’s plenty of hanging space and suites come with a coffee machine; the rooms don’t but they are similarly well-designed and pleasant.

Out + about

Dandenong Market has been operating for 138 years and is still going strong with an amazing multicultural vibe. It’s especially fun at festive times such as Christmas and Diwali.

Food + drink

Breakfast of french toast fingers with mascarpone, berry compote and chocolate sauce.

Dandelion Lounge and Eatery is part of the open-plan lobby set-up and the woodfired oven is the star of the show. The menu is all about comfort: pizzas, pasta, a burger, a steak. There are smaller sharing plates such as hummus, and pork belly available, but disappointingly, nothing simple like a sandwich. The shopping centre over the road has that covered, though. The breakfast buffet is a winner.

The verdict

If you’ve got business or relatives in Dandenong, this is a great base. Otherwise, interstate or country Victorian travellers heading south might find the Holiday Inn Dandenong a good, well-priced place to spend a night for a smooth trip the next day out to Phillip Island or Gippsland. It is a super comfortable hotel with a great staff and it nails every point of functionality you need in such a stay – except maybe that sandwich.

The essentials

From $175 a night, no minimum stay. Holiday Inn Dandenong, 50-52 McCrae Street, Dandenong, Victoria. Phone: [phone]. See ihg.com

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

Highlight

Kids under 12 stay for free and, during stays, eat for free from the kids’ menu in Dandelion Lounge & Eatery.

Lowlight

The lack of availability of simple snacks.

The writer stayed as a guest of Holiday Inn Dandenong.