We were recently faced with our first interstate wedding since becoming parents which threw us into a bit of an accommodation and babysitting dilemma! We needed to travel to the beautiful Yarra Valley outside Melbourne from Sydney. And we didn’t know anyone in Melbourne we could ask to look after Seb (apart from some other friends also coming to the wedding!). Not keen on leaving him with a stranger, we decided the best plan of attack was to take my brother in law, Uncle Dom, with us! He’d get a weekend in Melbourne on us and we could enjoy a rare night out knowing our 18-month-old was in safe and familiar hands.
But where to stay? A family room would be a bit, well, awkward! And two hotel rooms? Exy! And hotel rooms aren’t the best places to entertain very active and sometimes noisy toddlers either! So when Stayz offered us the opportunity to stay at one of the properties on their books, Yellow Door, it seemed perfect.
Yellow Door in Melbourne’s Coburg was a 50-minute drive from the wedding venue in the Yarra and super close to the city for exploring the next day. With four bedrooms we were spoilt for choice. Two had en suites and there was an third bathroom as well.
But the best part about this house, on a quiet residential street, was how ridiculously family and child friendly it was! Usually, if we go and stay somewhere, we start with the sweep of anything breakable, moving it to a cupboard or a high shelf. But we didn’t need to do that here. Not that it was bare; it was actually really nicely and comfortably furnished. There just wasn’t any extra, unnecessary, breakable stuff! The floorboards were spill proof and it was all on one level apart from a small step down to the living room.
Of course I’m all about the interiors and this one was really stylish with just the right amount of art, cushions, throw rugs and fresh flowers to look like they’d made the effort. Not a hint of holiday home hand me downs or mix and match nanna chic to be seen! And some lovely period features too.
It got even better when we opened the back door the next morning, in daylight, and discovered a completely fenced yard with table and chairs, where Sebby could happily and safely explore and we could enjoy our breakfast.
Speaking of eating, the house comes with a high chair and a cot, which was assembled for us (make sure you mention in advance if you stay there and want to use it) and we even found a big box of toys in a wardrobe (you can only fit so many in your luggage after all!).
This would be an amazing place to stay with a few other couples, or even another family, for a weekend in Melbourne. And even better there’s another house behind belonging to the same people, and it’s possible to rent them both at the same time (connected via the back yard).
Stayz provides whole houses to rent throughout Australia; they don’t offer individual rooms or shared accommodation, but the whole house so you can stay together with your loved ones. This makes it a great option for a family getaway
. With more than 40,000 properties on their books, you’re sure to find something that suits you! If you’d like to stay at Yellow Door too, find the details here.
Disclosure: We stayed at Yellow Door courtesy of Stayz in exchange for an honest review.