Any age, but young children might enjoy the nearby parks. Teens will love the area's sassy shopping.
Recommended rooms
The Lyall's two-bedroom suites are best for families with beds that can be transformed into twins. Suites have full cooking facilities with full-size refridgerators.
Activities
Although the Lyall doesn't offer any specific activities for children, the hotel set in a quiet, leafy residential street with parks and gardens nearby (including the Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park, as well as the nearby Yarra river banks). The hotel provides free push bikes for guests' use too, which is fun for older children. Major attractions such as the Royal Melbourne Zoo (www.zoo.org.au) and the Melbourne Aquarium (www.melbourneaquarium.com) are also within easy reach. There are 18 cinemas within walking distance too for keeping kids entertained.
Meals
Children are allowed in the Lyall restaurant, which can do a special menu for them, and provide high chairs, packed lunches or heat up baby food or milk for infants. The hotel kitchen can accommodate most requests, but in an emergency the suite minibars come stocked with ice cream and chocolate frogs. Suites also have full cooking facilities, complete with fridge/freezers, if you'd rather eat in the privacy of your own room.
Babysitting
Babysitting can be arranged with a local nanny for a minimum of three hours for AU$80, and from then approx AU$20 an hour. Just a few hours' notice will usually suffice.
Baby listening
Baby-listening equipment isn't provided, but guests may use their own in the restaurant, and request rooms near by.
No need to pack
Cots are provided at AU$30 a night, and the Lyall staff are happy to buy in any particular baby- or child-care equipment requested prior to your arrival and charge it to your account.
