Crown Towers is a luxury hotel with 482 rooms spread across 31 floors, right on the River Yarra in Melbourne's Southbank area and by the casino. Rooms are chic but not overly glitzy, with marble bathrooms and up to two bedrooms. However, it's the facilities here that really stand out: A luxury spa with its own hydrotherapy section, a 25-meter (82-foot) indoor swimming pool, two outdoor tennis courts, and a host of excellent restaurants, including one by acclaimed British chef Heston Blumenthal. While there are some facilities for business travelers, the limited meeting space and a casino entertainment-focused atmosphere may not be to everyone's liking. Business travelers may want to consider one of the two other Crown properties in the area -- namely the Crown Promenade or Crown Metropol -- instead.
Crown Towers is a luxury hotel with 482 rooms spread across 31 floors, right on the River Yarra in Melbourne's Southbank area and by the casino. Rooms are chic but not overly glitzy, with marble bathrooms and up to two bedrooms. However, it's the facilities here that really stand out: A luxury spa with its own hydrotherapy section, a 25-meter (82-foot) indoor swimming pool, two outdoor tennis courts, and a host of excellent restaurants, including one by acclaimed British chef Heston Blumenthal. While there are some facilities for business travelers, the limited meeting space and a casino entertainment-focused atmosphere may not be to everyone's liking. Business travelers may want to consider one of the two other Crown properties in the area -- namely the Crown Promenade or Crown Metropol -- instead.
This four-pearl property consists of 95 sharp apartments overlooking the Yarra River. Located on the outer edge of the CBD in the Docklands area, it's just a short tram ride away from the city's main attractions. The apartments are spacious and contemporary, with small kitchenettes and laundry facilities, plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Most have private furnished balconies offering lovely views of the marina. There's a ground-floor cafe serving local fare and a cooked-to-order breakfast for a fee, plus an indoor lap pool with a hot tub and sauna, modern fitness center, and outdoor tennis court. Other facilities include an extensive business center, computer station, and underground parking lot. As an alternative, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne adds a more central location and an excellent Japanese restaurant.
This four-pearl property consists of 95 sharp apartments overlooking the Yarra River. Located on the outer edge of the CBD in the Docklands area, it's just a short tram ride away from the city's main attractions. The apartments are spacious and contemporary, with small kitchenettes and laundry facilities, plus modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Most have private furnished balconies offering lovely views of the marina. There's a ground-floor cafe serving local fare and a cooked-to-order breakfast for a fee, plus an indoor lap pool with a hot tub and sauna, modern fitness center, and outdoor tennis court. Other facilities include an extensive business center, computer station, and underground parking lot. As an alternative, Citadines on Bourke Melbourne adds a more central location and an excellent Japanese restaurant.
The Langham, Melbourne is a luxury business hotel located in the Southbank area of Melbourne, a short walk from area theaters and museums. The 388 rooms here are classically elegant, with quality amenities and gorgeous marble bathrooms. Many also have views of the Yarra River that runs along the northern side of the property. Amenities here are aimed at the corporate set, including lots of meeting space and an executive lounge with free breakfast (otherwise available for a fee in the Melba Restaurant), plus a spa with treatments integrating Chinese medicine, a modern fitness center, and a small indoor pool with a hot tub and sunbathing lounge. Travelers wanting to be north of the river should consider the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, which is an excellent alternative despite its lack of a swimming pool.
The Langham, Melbourne is a luxury business hotel located in the Southbank area of Melbourne, a short walk from area theaters and museums. The 388 rooms here are classically elegant, with quality amenities and gorgeous marble bathrooms. Many also have views of the Yarra River that runs along the northern side of the property. Amenities here are aimed at the corporate set, including lots of meeting space and an executive lounge with free breakfast (otherwise available for a fee in the Melba Restaurant), plus a spa with treatments integrating Chinese medicine, a modern fitness center, and a small indoor pool with a hot tub and sunbathing lounge. Travelers wanting to be north of the river should consider the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, which is an excellent alternative despite its lack of a swimming pool.
This massive luxury is ideal for travelers who want entertainment right on their doorstep. The Crown Entertainment Complex is right next door, offering a casino, sports bars, restaurants, shops, and a cinema. Suited to luxury budgets, it's located on Melbourne's Southbank, a 15-minute walk to the CBD. The hotel is popular with business travelers and groups, and has a sophisticated feel with sober, contemporary decor plus stunning cityscape views. All 658 rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. There's also a spacious gym, day spa, lounge bar, and chic restaurant. Business travelers looking for a similar luxury feel might consider the Grand Hyatt Hotel instead, which has a more laid-back vibe with additional sports facilities.
This massive luxury is ideal for travelers who want entertainment right on their doorstep. The Crown Entertainment Complex is right next door, offering a casino, sports bars, restaurants, shops, and a cinema. Suited to luxury budgets, it's located on Melbourne's Southbank, a 15-minute walk to the CBD. The hotel is popular with business travelers and groups, and has a sophisticated feel with sober, contemporary decor plus stunning cityscape views. All 658 rooms feature modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. There's also a spacious gym, day spa, lounge bar, and chic restaurant. Business travelers looking for a similar luxury feel might consider the Grand Hyatt Hotel instead, which has a more laid-back vibe with additional sports facilities.
Despite its impersonal size and location removed from the city center, this upscale, 396-room Pan Pacific manages to please guests with its attentive service, comfortable (if generic) rooms, and large Executive Lounge. There’s a big focus on business travel here (the hotel is adjacent to Melbourne’s convention center, and has six meeting spaces of its own), but leisure travelers may appreciate proximity to the Crown Casino and the DFO outlet mall. It does take about 25 minutes to get to Melbourne’s hip restaurants and cafes from here, and the food options on-site are expensive, and just so-so. For a CBD location, compare prices at the Sheraton Melbourne. Those in town for the casino and high-end shopping at Crown down the street should consider staying on-site there (at Crown Promenade, Crown Metropol, or Crown Towers) — you can also usually get more for your money (pool, spa) and you’ll be closer to the CBD.
Despite its impersonal size and location removed from the city center, this upscale, 396-room Pan Pacific manages to please guests with its attentive service, comfortable (if generic) rooms, and large Executive Lounge. There’s a big focus on business travel here (the hotel is adjacent to Melbourne’s convention center, and has six meeting spaces of its own), but leisure travelers may appreciate proximity to the Crown Casino and the DFO outlet mall. It does take about 25 minutes to get to Melbourne’s hip restaurants and cafes from here, and the food options on-site are expensive, and just so-so. For a CBD location, compare prices at the Sheraton Melbourne. Those in town for the casino and high-end shopping at Crown down the street should consider staying on-site there (at Crown Promenade, Crown Metropol, or Crown Towers) — you can also usually get more for your money (pool, spa) and you’ll be closer to the CBD.
Like many serviced apartments in Melbourne, the three-pearl City Limits Serviced Apartments is modern, but offers few amenities and characterless spaces. The 32 apartments are clean and fairly new in design, with small kitchenettes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, however, some note bothersome street noise. Breakfast is often included in a stay, but is limited to bread and cereal delivered to rooms. While a few parking spots and a small meeting room are good additions, the best feature is probably the hotel’s central Melbourne location in Chinatown that makes reaching main attractions, like Carlton Gardens, quite convenient on foot. Ibis Styles Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel is an affordable (though less modern) alternative that has more amenities like an indoor pool, hot tub, gym, and restaurant.
Like many serviced apartments in Melbourne, the three-pearl City Limits Serviced Apartments is modern, but offers few amenities and characterless spaces. The 32 apartments are clean and fairly new in design, with small kitchenettes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, however, some note bothersome street noise. Breakfast is often included in a stay, but is limited to bread and cereal delivered to rooms. While a few parking spots and a small meeting room are good additions, the best feature is probably the hotel’s central Melbourne location in Chinatown that makes reaching main attractions, like Carlton Gardens, quite convenient on foot. Ibis Styles Melbourne, The Victoria Hotel is an affordable (though less modern) alternative that has more amenities like an indoor pool, hot tub, gym, and restaurant.
The upper-middle-range Wyndham Hotel Melbourne offers 21 modern studios or apartments in Melbourne CBD. The hotel shares its building with apartments, and amenities are geared toward a more residential crowd. A library lounge offers stylish common space, while a rooftop pool with lovely views offers a place to hang outdoors. Its location at the quieter end of Melbourne CBD shields rooms from noise, plus there are still nearby restaurants and shops, as well as free trams that stop virtually outside. All rooms have well-equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs, desks, and hairdryers, but some lack natural daylight. A gym, meeting rooms, parking, and Wi-Fi are also available on-site. The Crown Promenade Melbourne has brighter rooms and more of a hotel feel, but its setting within the Crown Casino complex is pricier.
The upper-middle-range Wyndham Hotel Melbourne offers 21 modern studios or apartments in Melbourne CBD. The hotel shares its building with apartments, and amenities are geared toward a more residential crowd. A library lounge offers stylish common space, while a rooftop pool with lovely views offers a place to hang outdoors. Its location at the quieter end of Melbourne CBD shields rooms from noise, plus there are still nearby restaurants and shops, as well as free trams that stop virtually outside. All rooms have well-equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs, desks, and hairdryers, but some lack natural daylight. A gym, meeting rooms, parking, and Wi-Fi are also available on-site. The Crown Promenade Melbourne has brighter rooms and more of a hotel feel, but its setting within the Crown Casino complex is pricier.
This modern three-and-a-half-pearl property consists of 160 city apartments. Located at the very edge of the CBD, it's ideal for tourists as well as short-stay corporate travelers who don't need the extra amenities of large hotels. Guests shouldn't expect a restaurant or breakfast service, but there's free access to a sauna and simple fitness center. Apartments are small, but bright, with modern amenities and kitchenettes equipped with microwaves, dishwashers, and stovetops. Some rooms add balconies that have views of Queen Victoria Market, while others overlook Queen Street. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available for all guests and Wi-Fi is free in public areas. As an alternative, the Stamford Plaza Melbourne offers more in the way of facilities, with an impressive fitness center and rooftop pool as well as an on-site restaurant.
This modern three-and-a-half-pearl property consists of 160 city apartments. Located at the very edge of the CBD, it's ideal for tourists as well as short-stay corporate travelers who don't need the extra amenities of large hotels. Guests shouldn't expect a restaurant or breakfast service, but there's free access to a sauna and simple fitness center. Apartments are small, but bright, with modern amenities and kitchenettes equipped with microwaves, dishwashers, and stovetops. Some rooms add balconies that have views of Queen Victoria Market, while others overlook Queen Street. Coin-operated laundry facilities are available for all guests and Wi-Fi is free in public areas. As an alternative, the Stamford Plaza Melbourne offers more in the way of facilities, with an impressive fitness center and rooftop pool as well as an on-site restaurant.
The upper-middle-range Docklands Private Collection of Apartments offers 45 modern apartments in Melbourne's Docklands, right by Etihad Stadium. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with bright living spaces and excellent kitchens are designed for the self-sufficient traveler, but the apartment-style setup means there's a lack of common spaces and on-site dining options. Nevertheless, its positioning near NewQuay Marina's restaurants and free trams is great. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus for the region, and an upgrade will get guests pool and gym access. For a more traditional stay, consider the Ibis Styles Melbourne, Victoria Street, which has a pool, but less stylish interiors.
The upper-middle-range Docklands Private Collection of Apartments offers 45 modern apartments in Melbourne's Docklands, right by Etihad Stadium. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments with bright living spaces and excellent kitchens are designed for the self-sufficient traveler, but the apartment-style setup means there's a lack of common spaces and on-site dining options. Nevertheless, its positioning near NewQuay Marina's restaurants and free trams is great. Free Wi-Fi is a bonus for the region, and an upgrade will get guests pool and gym access. For a more traditional stay, consider the Ibis Styles Melbourne, Victoria Street, which has a pool, but less stylish interiors.
Sitting on a flat, sandy beach, the Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront is an upper-middle-range chain hotel with 168 contemporary rooms with balconies or patios offering gorgeous ocean views. All rooms have separate livingrooms and mini-fridges, but only some have microwaves. There's an on-site cafe open for breakfast (not included in room rate) and dinner. There’s an outdoor heated pool with ocean views and a pool bar, as well as a fitness center. Travelers might also want to consider the nearby Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront and the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, both comparable properties.
Sitting on a flat, sandy beach, the Radisson Suite Hotel Oceanfront is an upper-middle-range chain hotel with 168 contemporary rooms with balconies or patios offering gorgeous ocean views. All rooms have separate livingrooms and mini-fridges, but only some have microwaves. There's an on-site cafe open for breakfast (not included in room rate) and dinner. There’s an outdoor heated pool with ocean views and a pool bar, as well as a fitness center. Travelers might also want to consider the nearby Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront and the Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront, both comparable properties.