174 GOURMET TRAVELLERPool & Fitness
Centre.Premier Club Suite.CROWN TOWERS MELBOURNE
“Think big” is the motto at the jewel in the Crown complex. The curved tower
on the banks of the Yarra looms over the casino and its sister hotels, and
inside the scale is similarly king-size. The vast lobby is illuminated by a
monumental chandelier, while entry to the neighbouring gaming floor is via
a grand black marble staircase. The luxurious rooms, meanwhile, have views
of the bay or city from full-length windows that verge on vertiginous. Just
beyond the lobby are restaurants by marquee players – Neil Perry and Nobu
Matsuhisa among them. When it comes to the service, though, greatness lies
in the details, whether it’s the considered response to requests or the warmed
pot holding the chips, which arrive (promptly) from room service.8 Whiteman
St, Southbank, (03) 9292 6868, crownmelbourne.com.auThere’s much to love in the
rooms, all conspiring to leave
you feeling utterly cosseted: walk-in
wardrobes, plush bathrobes and TVs
at the end of the baths, but most of
all the custom beds swaddled in
japara cotton.
From the ofer of water at
check-in to a proper turndown
service that includes Koko Black
salted caramels, thoughtful service
is a virtue.
Breakfast in the grand
Conservatory overlooking
the Yarra ($39.50) covers East and
West with aplomb, with a full English
bufet and an omelette station, and
the likes of chicken congee and
condiments. Chocolate fountains,
croissants and crumpets are balanced
by low-gluten bread and cakes from
the “healthy corner”.
Veuve Clicquot and an ice
bucket await in your room,
or settle at The Waiting Room in the
lobby with a glass from the largely
local wine list.WHERESouthbank.
COSTFrom $358,
without breakfast.AT
A GLANCE481 rooms,
suites and villas,
adjoining rooms; bars,
restaurants, café, pool,
day spa, gym, sauna,
tennis court, paid valet
and self-parking.IN
ROOMFree WiFi, smart
TV, some baths, cofee
machine, pillow menu,
walk-in wardrobe, Antica
Farmacista toiletries.
BEST ROOMSThe lavish
two-bedroom Crystal
Villas crown the tower
and include 24-hour
butler service.CROWN METROPOL
MELBOURNE
Crown Metropol is a far cry from
clichés of casino hotels. Instead of
plush pile and complimentary chips it’s
all clean lines, Danish-influenced design
and casual, even quirky touches that
create a seam of character in one of
the country’s largest hotels. The rooms
have a hipsterish, mini-apartment
feel (note the key bowl and doodle-
patterned bedspread) that attracts a
younger clientele. But there is also a
surprising number of families, drawn
no doubt by one of the nation’s best
hotel pools – an infinity-edge afair
with ocean views. On the downside,
sometimes the queueat reception
looks almost as endless.8 Whiteman
St, Southbank, (03) 9292 8888,
crownmelbourne.com.auThe art collection adds
unexpected whimsy to
lift lobbies and public areas.
David Sequiera’s library of
blue-spined books is a bright
spot at 28 Skybar Lounge.
Settle poolside in abanana
chair or the hot tub and
gaze across Port Phillip Bay.
Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar
is a one-stop shop for
breakfast, lunch sandwiches, cofee,
cocktails anddinner with a twist
(it also handles in-room dining).
The generous breakfast bufet
($41.50, $29.50 Continental)
features health-conscious
options such as Bircher muesli
and impressive fruit platters.
The views from the 28th-floor
Skybar Lounge stretch over
the city to Port Phillip Bay and east
to the Dandenongs, and partner
as well with a signature Breakfast
Martini (gin, Grand Marnier and
marmalade) as a late-night Red
Lips (rum, gin and shiraz).WHERESouthbank.COSTFrom $268, without breakfast.AT A GLANCE658 rooms and lofts, adjoining rooms; bars,
restaurant, pool, fitness centre, steam room, paid valet and self-parking.IN ROOMFree WiFi, some baths and cofee
machines, pillow menu.BEST ROOMSA modest upgrade to a “Sky High Club” King Luxe room opens access to the
28 Skybar Lounge, with complimentary canapés, valet parking and breakfast.MELBOURNE