Family-Friendly Hotels and Motels in Reservoir
Reservoir is a northern Melbourne suburb, and the family stays here are mostly motels, pub hotels, an apartment hotel and a holiday park rather than resorts. That suits many families: rooms with free parking, breakfast included at several places, kitchens in some units, and a pool or a kids' play area when you want to wear the children out. This page covers the stays that carry the family-friendly label and have a published page: Excelsior Hotel, Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel, Quest Epping, BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park, St Georges Motor Inn, Royal Derby Hotel, Bell Motel and Miami Hotel Melbourne. Below I explain which suit a short stop, which suit a longer stay with cooking, and which have a pool.
Reservoir, located in Melbourne's northern region, presents itself as a community-oriented suburb with a relaxed atmosphere, making it particularly appealing for families. It offers a good range of local parks and recreational facilities, alongside a diverse culinary scene that caters to various tastes. The suburb's accessibility to Melbourne's CBD via public transport further enhances its appeal, offering a balance between suburban tranquility and urban convenience for family travelers.
Where to stay
Motels and Apartments That Suit Family Budgets
Why Choose a Family-Friendly Stay in Reservoir
The first advantage of Reservoir is the amount of included convenience. Excelsior Hotel lists a complimentary breakfast, free parking and free Wi-Fi, and Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel offers a complimentary continental breakfast and free parking too. St Georges Motor Inn and Bell Motel also include breakfast and Wi-Fi. For a family, a free breakfast and a free parking space remove two daily decisions, and the minifridges in the Excelsior rooms help with milk and snacks. These are relaxed, unfussy properties, so I would not expect a lobby or a concierge, but the basics families actually use are covered.
Space and cooking options are the second reason to look closely. Quest Epping is an apartment hotel with streamlined units, some with kitchens, plus a barbecue area, a gym and free parking. BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park has chalets with kitchens, an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a barbecue area, which is the closest thing to a holiday setting in the suburb. Miami Hotel Melbourne is a budget option with rooms that sometimes have kitchens and a shared kitchen and dining area. If you are staying more than a couple of nights, a kitchen means you can feed the children on their own schedule.
Entertainment for children varies by property. Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel has a dedicated kids' play area, a bistro and a bar. Excelsior Hotel has a casual pub-style bistro and a sports bar, and Royal Derby Hotel is a pub with a beer garden and modern dining, listed as a kid-friendly place with a kitchen, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Bell Motel has a swimming pool, and BIG4 has the outdoor pool and hot tub. If a pool is on your list, those two are the ones I would check first, because most of the other stays here do not list one in the data I have.
Reservoir works best as a practical base. Quest Epping is described as close to Epping Plaza Shopping Centre, which is useful for supplies, and the pub hotels keep dinner simple after a day out. St Georges Motor Inn is also pet-friendly and has a spa, so it can suit a family travelling with a dog. Before booking, confirm the room type and the number of beds, since motel rooms vary. My general advice is to pick the apartment or the holiday park for a longer stay, and a motel with a play area or a pool for a short one.
A traveler's takeFor a family that wants a pool and room to cook in Reservoir, I would choose BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park, with its chalets, outdoor pool, hot tub and barbecue area. If the children are younger and you want a dedicated play area and breakfast included, my pick is Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel. For a few nights with a kitchen and a gym for the parents, Quest Epping near Epping Plaza Shopping Centre is the one I would shortlist. My practical advice is to decide first whether you need a kitchen or a pool, then choose among the stays that offer it.
Family-friendlyFawkner Executive Suites & Serviced Apartments
★4.7Family-friendly suites with kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and parking
Why guests love itFawkner Executive Suites & Serviced Apartments is an informal all-suite hotel for families who like a kitchenette and extra space. The suites are air-conditioned and smoke-free, with free Wi-Fi and free parking, and local dining and transport links are easy to reach. About 200 guests rate it 9.4. Our editorial advice: use the kitchenette for breakfasts and snacks, bring the car and treat it as a quiet, self-sufficient base.
Family-friendlyQuest Epping
★4.6Family-friendly apartment hotel with kitchens and a BBQ area
Why guests love itQuest Epping is a laid-back four-star apartment hotel in Reservoir with streamlined units, some with kitchens. There is a BBQ area, a gym and a meeting room, plus free WiFi and parking. Epping Plaza Shopping Centre is conveniently near. More than 900 guests rate it 9.2. My advice: ask for a unit with a kitchen if you plan to cook for the family.
Family-friendlyUrban Camp
★4.5Family-friendly accommodation with free Wi-Fi and on-site dining
Why guests love itUrban Camp is a family-friendly stay with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and free on-site parking. There is a restaurant, accessible facilities, and breakfast is available. It makes a comfortable base for exploring the area. About 100 guests rate it a high 9.0. Our editorial advice: bring the car, eat at the restaurant on arrival night and ask about accessible rooms if you need them.
Family-friendlyQuest Royal Gardens
★4.3Family-friendly apartment hotel with an outdoor pool and BBQ area
Why guests love itI recommend Quest Royal Gardens to families who want space and a kitchen in Melbourne. The apartments have kitchen facilities, air conditioning and free WiFi, and some come with a balcony. The outdoor pool and barbecue area give children something to look forward to on warm evenings, and there is a restaurant on site for nights off cooking. Parking is free, and guests rate the property 8.6, although the score rests on a small number of reviews.
Family-friendlyCarlton Lygon Lodge
★4.3Family-friendly lodge with functional rooms, apartments, and free Wi-Fi
Why guests love itCarlton Lygon Lodge offers functional rooms and apartments in a low-key setting, and I would recommend it to families for the practical set-up. Rooms have air conditioning, room service and complimentary Wi-Fi, and some accommodations include a kitchen, which I would request. Parking is available. The lodge is kid-friendly and accessible, a short walk from Argyle Square and Lygon Street.
Family-friendlyRoyal Derby Hotel
★4.2Family-friendly pub with simple rooms, dining, and a lively beer garden
Why guests love itI recommend the Royal Derby Hotel to families who are happy with simple rooms and want an easy pub meal downstairs. The rooms sit above a lively pub with a beer garden, modern dining and live sport on the screens, so dinner needs no planning. WiFi and parking are free, and the hotel is listed as family-friendly. Guests rate it 8.4 from close to 400 reviews, which makes it a sound pick for a short Melbourne stay.
Family-friendlyMiami Hotel Melbourne
★4.2Budget-friendly hotel with family rooms and shared kitchen facilities
Why guests love itMiami Hotel Melbourne is a family-friendly budget hotel with humble rooms, some of them with kitchens, plus a shared kitchen and dining area. Free WiFi, air conditioning and a smoke-free environment are included. More than 900 guests rate it 8.4. My advice: book it as a simple, practical base, and ask for a room with a kitchen if you want to cook.
Family-friendlyBIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park
★4.2Family-friendly holiday park with pool, hot tub, and spa facilities
Why guests love itBIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park is an informal holiday park in Reservoir, and I would recommend it to families who want chalets with their own kitchens. There is an outdoor pool, a hot tub, spa facilities, a BBQ area and a fitness centre. The chalets suit longer stays because you can cook for yourselves. It is relaxed and casual rather than polished, so expect a holiday-park atmosphere.
Family-friendlyNovotel Melbourne Preston
★4.2Family-friendly hotel with a fitness center and restaurant in Preston
Why guests love itNovotel Melbourne Preston is a family-friendly hotel in Preston with air-conditioned rooms, and some rooms have kitchens for self-catering. A fitness centre, a bar and a restaurant are on site, so a family can eat in without going out. Free WiFi and parking are included, and the property is smoke-free and accessible. Guests score it 8.4 across 305 reviews, a very good result.
Family-friendlySt Georges Motor Inn
★4.1Pet-friendly motel with a spa, restaurant, and complimentary breakfast
Why guests love itSt Georges Motor Inn in Reservoir is an unpretentious motel, and I would recommend it for a casual, relaxed stay. It has a casual restaurant and bar, and complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast are included. It is pet-friendly and family-friendly, with a spa and accessible facilities. Expect straightforward comfort rather than polish, and the free breakfast is a welcome saving on a family trip.
Family-friendlyHume Villa Motor Inn
★4.1Family-friendly motel with a relaxed restaurant and free parking
Why guests love itHume Villa Motor Inn is a down-to-earth motel for families who want the essentials. The rooms are air-conditioned with free Wi-Fi, some have a kitchen, and there is a relaxed restaurant and bar on site, plus free parking. It is smoke-free and accessible. About 200 guests rate it 8.2. Our editorial advice: pick a kitchen room for longer stays, bring the car and eat on site after a day out.
Family-friendlyMeadow Inn Hotel-Motel
★4.1Family-friendly lodging with breakfast, parking, and a kids' play area
Why guests love itI recommend the Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel to families who want a relaxed, practical stay in Reservoir. A dedicated kids' play area keeps children busy, complimentary continental breakfast and free parking save money, and the air-conditioned rooms are comfortable. A bistro and a bar are on site. Guests rate it 8.2 from more than 1,700 reviews, a good score for a family-focused stay.
Family-friendlyExcelsior Hotel
★4.1Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast, parking, and on-site dining
Why guests love itI recommend the Excelsior Hotel in Reservoir to families who want a casual, practical stay with the basics covered. Air-conditioned rooms have a minifridge and free Wi-Fi, breakfast is included daily and parking is free. A pub-style bistro suits family meals, and a sports bar is there for the adults. Guests rate it 8.2 from more than 2,100 reviews, a good score for a relaxed, kid-friendly stay.
Family-friendlyBell Motel
★3.9Family-friendly motel with a pool, free breakfast, and Wi-Fi
Why guests love itThe Bell Motel in Reservoir offers unpretentious, family-friendly accommodation, and I would recommend it for the simple things done well. Complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi are included, there is a swimming pool and the rooms have air conditioning. The pool is a welcome extra for children in warm weather. Expect a basic motel rather than polish, with a focus on comfort and convenience.
Family-friendlyBest Western Mill Park Motel & Conference Centre
★3.8Family-friendly motel with free WiFi, parking, and a meeting room
Why guests love itBest Western Mill Park Motel & Conference Centre is a straightforward, family-friendly and accessible property with free WiFi, free parking and air conditioning. Room service is available, and there is a meeting room, which makes it useful for both leisure and business travellers. I would recommend it as a simple, practical stay, and the guest rating is modest, so I would read recent reviews first.
Family-friendlyBrunswick Tower Hotel
★3.7Simple, family-friendly stay with free Wi-Fi and a Japanese restaurant
Why guests love itBrunswick Tower Hotel offers simple rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and free parking, and I would recommend it as a no-frills family base. The property has a bar and a Japanese restaurant, and some rooms have kitchens, which I would request. It is entirely non-smoking. Family rooms are available, and the guest rating is modest, so I would read recent reviews first.
Family-friendlyMahoneys Motor Inn
★3.7Family-friendly motor inn with a spa, hot tub, and a relaxed restaurant
Why guests love itMahoneys Motor Inn is a down-to-earth, family-friendly motor inn where the spa and hot tub are the treat. The rooms are comfortable and air-conditioned, there is an airy restaurant with a lounge bar, room service, free Wi-Fi and free parking, and the property is smoke-free and accessible. About 260 guests rate it 7.4. Our editorial advice: arrive by car, book the restaurant for an easy dinner and save the hot tub for after the children are asleep.
Local tips
- 1Decide first whether you need a kitchen or a pool, because only a few stays here have either.
- 2Choose Meadow Inn Hotel-Motel if you want a kids' play area and a complimentary continental breakfast.
- 3Book BIG4 Melbourne Holiday Park for a chalet with a kitchen, an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a barbecue area.
- 4Use Quest Epping for a longer stay, with a kitchen in some units and Epping Plaza Shopping Centre nearby.
- 5Confirm bed types and the number of people allowed in the room, because motel rooms vary widely.
- 6Ask about the pet policy if you travel with a dog, since St Georges Motor Inn is listed as pet-friendly.