AustralianGourmetTraveller-June2018

GOURMET TRAVELLER 177

PARK HYATT MELBOURNE
The cavernous and opulent lobby,
a noughties monument in wood and
marble, sets the tone for the whole
hotel: sizable, proud, and a little
dated. The scale and splendour are
best expressed in the hotel’s large
guestrooms – at 48 square metres,
they’re claimed as the city’s biggest

• each with a bath set in Italian marble
  and a walk-in wardrobe. The location
  is high and mighty, too, overlooking
  Fitzroy Gardens and close to St
  Patrick’s Cathedral. Highlights include
  an alfresco breakfast, and a dip in the
  heated indoor pool, surrounded by
  tiled colonnades and Grecian murals,
  the experience extra luxurious as it’s
  not overused. We like hypo-allergenic
  bedding on request.1 Parliament Sq,
  East Melbourne, (03) 9224 1234,
  melbourne.park.hyatt.com

THE OLSEN
This South Yarra member of the septet of Art Series Hotels is graced with
lyrical original works and prints by John Olsen in public areas and guestrooms
alike, and three luminous pieces inspired by Lake Eyre in the lobby. Book
a complimentary tour with the in-house art curator for full appreciation. The
guestrooms can be snug but are well appointed with a kitchenette, dining
table, lounge chair, desk and wall-mounted TV. Some have a balcony furnished
with sunloungers. Fancy a dip? The 25-metre glass-bottomed pool outside on
the first-floor deck comes with views over Chapel Street, or simply kick back
poolside, cocktail in hand, and flick through an art book from the range in your
room.637-641 Chapel St, South Yarra, (03) 9040 1222, artserieshotels.com.au

Who came up with the idea of

adding a steam-proof TV and a

self-serve bar within range of the bath,

which is big enough for two? Genius.

A new employee joined the

hotel’s ranks last year – Mr

Walker, a golden Labrador and former

guide dog who has settled into his role

as hotel ambassador. So far he greets

guests in the lobby, rather than

ofering himself for walks.

The Radii restaurant is spread

over five levels, making it

an energetic rather than homely

environment in which to enjoy

a substantial spread. Breakfast,

on level seven, is formidable

($40, $32 Continental), but the

cold dishes are the standout –

salads, smoked salmon, meze

dips – and a worthy counterweight

to the eggs Benedict.

The bar at the all-purpose Radii

is serviceable, but the city’s

stellar small bars beckon boldly. Cuba,

formerly the hotel’s cigar bar, has been

reimagined as a private dining room.

The minibar includes hangover

capsules and “Your time to

shine” paints and canvas for those

inspired by the arty surrounds, while

the shopping catalogue includes

swimmers, socks, limited-edition

signed Olsen prints, and the excellent

signature AH Beard beds and bedding.

Scooters, Smart cars and retro

Lekker bikes are available for

hire, and the handy key-card holder

folds out to reveal a map of nearby

galleries, restaurants and shops.

Spoonbill, the hotel’s

ground-floor restaurant and

bar, serves food all day. The à la carte

breakfast ($25) includes eggs as you

like, Bircher and chia pudding along

with good espresso, while the express

lunch menu ($20, including a drink)

includes salads, and fish and chips

with mushy peas.

An after-work crowd fills

Spoonbill, taking advantage of

the 5pm-7pm happy “hour”. Cheerful

staf serve a concise, mostly local list

of wines until late.

WHERECBD.COSTFrom $345, without breakfast.AT A GLANCE240 rooms and suites, adjoining rooms; bar, restaurant,
café, pool, day spa, gym, sauna, tennis court, paid valet parking.IN ROOMFree WiFi, smart TV, bath, cofee machine, pillow
menu, walk-in wardrobe, Le Labo toiletries.BEST ROOMS The most popular are the higher-floor club rooms with views over
the city – number 1866 is a likely candidate.

WHERESouth Yarra,

5km from the CBD.

COSTFrom $302,

without breakfast.

AT A GLANCE

224 rooms, suites and

penthouses, adjoining

rooms; bars, restaurant,

café, pool, day spa,

gym, sauna, paid valet

and self-parking.IN

ROOMFree WiFi, MP3

player, some baths and

balconies, kitchenette,

cofee machine, pillow

menu, Evo toiletries.

BEST ROOMThe Lake

Eyre Penthouse has

a large terrace, plunge

and spa pools, two

bathrooms and a

panoramic view of

the city, with the

complimentary use

of a Smart car.

Park Hyatt exterior.

Two-Bed Open

Plan Suite.