The Holiday and Travel Magazine: The Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens - the ideal home away from home in Melbourne

Monday, 17 February 2014

The Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens - the ideal home away from home in Melbourne

This week I flew down to attend my first ever conference in Melbourne at its striking Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Asia-Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME) attracted many business professionals from Australia and overseas countries.

The hotel I had the pleasure of staying at for two nights was the four star Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens. The staff at the reception desk were friendly and professional in checking me in. They provided helpful information on how to use the tram network and how to travel to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens is ideally located in Spring Street on the edge of the Melbourne CBD. It overlooks Treasury Gardens, so the delightful view from my guest room was of trees and lawns, not office blocks or other buildings. I felt right at home, as I am a person from country NSW where trees outnumber buildings. I enjoyed walking through the Treasury Gardens at dusk one evening, and also explored the adjacent Fitzroy Gardens. I spent some time in the glass Conservatory filled with glorious begonias, and just missed out on going into Captain Cooks Cottage, as it closed for the day five minutes before I arrived.

The Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens has a total of recently renovated 164 rooms. There are Standard Rooms with great city views, Superior & Deluxe rooms with beautiful Garden views, and Privilege Rooms with balconies. They offer a choice of Queen, King, Twin, and One Bedroom Suites.

I was more than happy with my Garden View King Room. A yummy mix of chocolate treats placed on the coffee table welcomed me to my air-conditioned guest room.

The huge bed and choice of pillows made for a sound night's sleep, with the added bonus of no street noise disturbing my slumbers. A large padded photo print of a Flinders Street Station scene on the wall behind the bed made an attractive feature in the room and reminded me that I was actually in Melbourne.

A flat-screen TV with remote meant that I could flick through the various programs from the comfort of my bed. A large work desk was ample to place my conference materials on. The choice of wired or wi-fi internet provided meant that I could communicate with my family back at home. Tea and coffee making facilities and the mini-bar made refreshments in the room enjoyable.

The bathroom was white and bright, with a nice shower and complimentary amenities provided.

The Lime Restaurant and Bar is on the ground floor of the Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens hotel and overlooks Treasury Gardens. It provides the ideal place to relax and meet others with a variety of wines, beers and cocktails on offer. I was provided with a welcome drink at the Lime Bar on my arrival which was much appreciated.

The Lime Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner serving modern Australian cuisine using the freshest regional Victorian produce. I did not experience a lunch or dinner at The Lime Restaurant as I was out during the day at the AIME conference. However I did enjoy my two hearty buffet breakfasts before I headed out each day. There was a plentiful supply of cereals, yoghurt, fresh fruit, bread and pastries, hot dishes and tea and coffee available. These were constantly refreshed throughout the morning so they were always available. The restaurant staff were pleasant and helpful in their waiting on my table.

I did not have my car with me so I relied on the wonderful Melbourne Tram network to get around. There was a nearby tram stop to catch the free City Circle Tram or other trams. It is within walking distance to the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Parliament House, Federation Square, theatres, shops and the other attractions of the Melbourne CBD.

I thoroughy enjoyed my two night stay at the Mercure Melbourne Treasury Gardens and can recommend it as the ideal base for business, sport and leisure visitors to Melbourne.