Napier Quarter is the best place I can imagine staying in Melbourne. I’m almost scared to say so - it will become too popular and I may not be able to book it next time! - but it’s too good to keep secret.
I already knew the N Fitzroy area and the wonderful cafe of the same name. I lived just down the street for a short time, and often went for breakfast or lunch. Being able to stay right next door to such a good local cafe and run by a great host like Daniel (and his equally excellent team) is a bonus.
And the place itself is wonderful. Immaculately clean, stylish and with great touches (Aesop soaps rather than one of those inferior copies, high quality linens and towels, a digestif to send you off to bed...). And the breakfast - simple, but great, with homemade muesli and yogurt, a pastry and more - saves you that extra effort of walking five steps to the cafe next door (but you should anyway, at least once).
I could stop there, but full disclosure so there are no surprises...
The Victorian house is on two stories, with steepish stairs, so maybe not suitable for everyone. The bathroom is downstairs and the bedroom upstairs, so nighttime visits are mildly inconvenient. Also, the cafe staff do come into the adjacent courtyard quite often - but they are very respectful and discrete. It didn’t bother me at all - especially when they are delivering your morning pastry and newspaper with a smile.
It’s a little noisy at times, because of the all day cafe, mostly ... but that’s city living and it didn’t bother me at all. After all, this is the buzziest part of Melbourne’s buzziest neighbourhood, and at night the area is very quiet. (Traffic is quite light in this corner of the city.) It’s only two or three minutes’ walk to Brunswick, Smith and Johnson Streets, and of the cafe is not enough, Luxe croissanterie around the corner. What’s not to love?
Daniel and his team are exceptional hosts. Quick to reply and very flexible (I was lucky there were no bookings before or after), this is perhaps my best AirBnB experience. I will be back, often.