Crown Metropol - Contemporary Luxury in Melbourne

View from Crown Metropol

Melbourne is famous for the Crown Casino complex. It is also renowned for the three Crown hotels - Crown Metropol, Crown Towers, and Crown Promenade. On a recent visit to Melbourne I enjoyed my first ever stay at the luxurious contemporary Crown Metropol.

Crown Metropol is located right next door to the Crown Casino on the corner of Whitman and Clarendon Streets. The convenient location makes it diagonally opposite the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and just a short walk or tram ride over the Yarra River to the Melbourne CBD.

It is a striking wave shaped building rising 28 stories high above the Southbank area of Melbourne, with the pool and gym complex on the 27 floor and the 28 Skybar Lounge on the very top floor.

Reception on the ground floor is sleek and modern, with comfy chairs to sit in and relax while waiting. A number of lifts in the lift lobby whisk you up your guest room.

There is a range of upscale guest rooms and suites available that are found on floors 8 - 26, including LUXE KING OR TWIN, CITY LUXE, BAY LUXE KING, R59- COMPONENT ROOM, LOFT, and THE APARTMENT. They all have floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views of the city or Port Phillip Bay. Lofts and apartments are huge and have separate living/dining areas. The apartments have the added bonus of whirlpool tubs in the en-suite bathrooms.

Crown Metropol Lux King Guest Room

I enjoyed my spacious 38 square metres LUXE KING room with its flat-screen LCD TV showing the latest in-room movies and free-to-air and cable television channels, iPod dock, 2 VoIP phones. It was good to have complimentary wireless internet and tea & coffee making facilities. There was a well stocked mini-bar & refrigerator in the room.

I had a good nights sleep my very comfy king bed and its abundance of pillows. (There is also an option of having two queen beds.) The large work desk with lamp was a handy place for my laptop computer work.

The bathroom has a lovely oversized shower, large vanity and seperate toilet with opaque glass partitioning walls. A privacy screen can be closed to separate the bedroom from the bathroom. Plush towels and a good range of toiletries were provided.

Crown Metropol pool

The features I enjoyed the most at Crown Metropol were the large indoor infinity swimming pool, plunge pool, relaxation sundeck and fully equipped gym on the 27th floor. The view from the floor to ceiling windows was spectacular both during the day and at night when all the city lights were glimmering on the buildings and streets below. In the separate mens and womens change rooms, there are steam rooms and spa baths for a total revamping experience. The ISIKA SPA offers 10 treatment rooms, individual spa treatments for men and women, a hair salon and nail bar.

28 Skybar Lounge, located on the top floor of Crown Metropol, is Melbourne’s highest and most exclusive city-view lounge offering high tea, a bar and upscale food fare. It is open to hotel guests from 6.30am, and is open to both hotel guests and the general public from midday until late, seven days a week.

The sophisticated 28 Skybar Lounge has breathtaking views over the city skyline through the 5 metre floor to ceiling glass windows. On a clear day, the east-facing view spans as far as the Dandenong Ranges and the northern end overlooks the hotel's stunning sundeck and waterfall-edge swimming pool.

28 Skybar Lounge

The lounge's decor showcases custom made furniture and artwork throughout with four distinct areas including a dining area, lounge area (complete with oversized television and gas fireplace), an impressive marble bar and outdoor terrace. A bookshelf adorned only with blue spined volumes adds a dramatic backdrop created by Australian artist David Sequiera.

28 Skybar Lounge offers a refreshing range of beverages, including boutique beers, local wines and exclusive cocktails.

Various accommodation packages with a range of extra additions are available by looking up Crown Metropol Packages. I was privileged to enjoy the features of the unique "28 Skybar Lounge Package". This meant that I was invited to enjoy the:
- dedicated check in/out in the hotel lobby
- buffet style breakfast
- complimentary tea, coffee and soft drink until 7:00pm daily and
- complimentary pre-dinner drinks between 5.30 and 7.00pm daily.

28 Skybar Lounge

I particularly enjoyed the large selection of food items included in the buffet style breakfast. It was good to eat well, drink a good cup of coffee and read the mornings newspapers whilst enjoying the view. One morning I spotted a colourful hot air ballon slowly make its descent behind the city buildings.

Breakfast is also served each morning from the Mr. Hive Kitchen & Bar, which features a warm, rustic dining area. It has a lively bar area which serves a world class selection of cocktails, irresistible snacks and shared platters. The dinner menu offers signature dishes including a modern twist on NZ Ora King salmon, Crispy Otway pork belly and Jumbo prawns. They also have a delicious range of house made fresh sandwiches, salads and pastries to take away. Live Music is played at the Mr. Hive Kitchen & Bar each Friday and Saturday night.

Crown offers some of Melbourne's finest and most cosmopolitan dining. Numerous dining opportunities are provided at the more than 40 restaurants and cafes in the Crown Entertainment complex. These offer an incredible variety of cuisines and atmospheres. From fresh seafood and al fresco dining on the riverside to sizzling Asian fare, nowhere else in Melbourne is there such a wide variety under one roof.

Crown has a selection of the hottest bars and nightclubs in Melbourne with expansive city views, impressive cocktail lists and spectacular surrounds.

Crown Metropol Gym

Meetings and Conferences are well catered for at Crown Metropol. The level three meeting space is Crown Metropol’s business zone, where guests can organise their day, meet with clients or colleagues, or simply work uninterrupted. Featuring four meeting rooms that can each hold up to 50 guests theatre style, it's ideal for hosting meetings, presentations, intimate cocktails or private dinners. There is also a dedicated business centre including two small meeting rooms for up to four guests, a private boardroom for up to 12 guests and internet stations. Larger conferences can be accommodated at the adjacent Crown Conference Centre, which can cater for up to 840 delegates.  Please click here for more information on Crown’s meeting spaces.

In summary, Crown Metropol is the contemporary luxury hotel to experience next time you are visiting Melbourne for business, shopping, leisure, or attending an exhibition or conference.

Night view from Crown Metropol

Crown Metropol

LOCATION
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, 3006

RESERVATIONS
Phone: +61 3 9292 6211
Facsimile: +61 3 9292 6455
Toll Free (within Australia): 1800 056 662
Email: reservations.mcm@crownhotels.com.au

GENERAL ENQUIRIES
Phone: +61 3 9292 8888

WEBSITE
http://www.crownhotels.com.au/crown-metropol-melbourne