Monday, 14 March 2016

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne - Comfortable Contemporary Accommodation

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
I discovered the many standout features of the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne when I recently stayed there for the first time.

I was warmly welcomed by friendly reception staff in the large lobby and checked into my room without delay. My contemporary styled guest room was a corner room that allowed plenty of natural light to stream in through its two windows.

My hotel room was very clean and comfortable. A good night's rest was had on the comfy bed. I just used one of the pillows on the bed, so did not need to use the other choices on the pillow menu. There was a bedside table on each side of the bed. 

The LCD TV showed plenty of stations as well as in-room movies.  The room had a sofa chair and coffee table, large work desk and ergonomic business chair.

Guest room
I made full use of the high-speed wireless internet access that is provided on a complimentary basis to all hotel guests.

There was a laptop-sized safe and mini bar that on this stay I did not use. However,  I did make full use of the tea and coffee making facilities each morning and evening.

The separate bathroom was white and bright, with a good overhead shower with plenty of hot water. A good range of toiletries, towels and a hairdryer were provided.

Other guest room options with more included features at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne are the Premium Park View Rooms and Business Class Rooms.

Lobby - Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
Here I must make mention of the wonderful staff I met at Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne. It was not just the reception staff, but the cleaners, breakfast staff, and concierge whom I found to be both professional and friendly. One morning I was about to leave my room when the cleaner arrived. He not only did a meticulous job of cleaning the room, but chatted to me as a friend. The breakfast staff each morning not only cleared away my empty dishes from my table propmptly, but greeted me each time as they did. The concierge came to the rescue when I had trouble printing out my flight boarding pass in the Business Centre.

Each morning I went down to the HQ's on William Restaurant located on the ground floor to enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast. (The name of the restaurant comes from the building's past history as the Victorian Police Headquarters before it was converted to a hotel.)

HQ's on William Restaurant
It was good to start the day sitting at a table by the window enjoying the view of the Flagstaff Gardens as I relaxed reading the daily paper and eating the buffet breakfast. This included speciality breads and pastries, fresh fruit and yoghurt and house-made Bircher muesli and toasted granola. There was a good selection of hot foods to choose from that were frequently replenished. I especially liked the egg station that cooked free-range egg dishes to order, as well as waffles. Drinks consisted of a selection of freshly squeezed juices and a range of tea and coffee. A barista made me an espresso coffee that looked as good as it tasted. Breakfast is served Mon–Fri, 6:30–10:30 a.m. and Sat–Sun, 7–11 a.m.

HQ's on William Restaurant is a full-service restaurant that in addition to breakfast is also open for lunch and dinner. Executive chef Leigh Robbins takes his guests on a culinary tour of Victoria by offering seasonal products sourced from the nearby Queen Victoria Market. The menus consists of fresh, vibrant flavours and innovative recreations of contemporary Australian cuisine. Lunch is served daily, noon-4 p.m. and dinner daily, 6–10 p.m. Click to see the Dinner Menu .

There is a Happy Hour each Friday, 4–7 p.m. so that guests and others can drop in to unwind at the end of the week. There are drink specials & complimentary finger food on offer during this time.

Spa - Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
What I really liked about Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne was the spa pool, steam room, gymnasium, and relaxation deck on the top floor. I appreciated that these stayed open until late in the night, so I could make use of them and relax after being out all day and the early part of the evening. The views from the spa over the city and Docklands with the colourfully lit Star Observation Wheel were stunning. Other hotel guests also made appreciative comments about these facilities provided by the hotel. Here I met a  guest couple who had flown down to Melbourne from Sydney for a couple of days break, and another guest couple who had previously lived in Melbourne and had returned to visit friends.

The Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne offers 24-hour reception, complimentary Wi-Fi, & 24-hour room service. There is a Concierge Corner, including shoe polisher and luggage scales which I used before checking out to make sure my carry on bag for the flight was under the 7kg limit allowed.

Other nice little services offered include complimentary water infused with lemon to drink in the lobby, complimentary newspapers and a complimentary pressing service for two items available Monday–Thursday.

There is a 24-hour Business Centre, including fax, copier and computer services and on-site meeting facilities. Three flexible spaces are available for up to 150 delegates. Events, weddings and engagement parties, cocktail parties, & product launches can be hosted at The Radisson, with group dining in HQ’s Restaurant and Bar and private dining in a dedicated function area. Themed options can be provided including flowers, lighting and entertainment.

View from Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
The hotel has a great location on the edge of Melbourne's CBD overlooking the Flagstaff Gardens, which is the oldest park (first established in 1862) in Melbourne. The Gardens are a pleasant green space with large areas of lawns that feature eucalypts & Moreton Bay figs, avenues of elm trees, a bowling green, rose beds, tennis courts, sculptures and a sundial. There is a good children's playground, electric barbecues and plenty of seating. One evening I wandered around the park and saw some possums scampering around on the ground and up the tree trunks.

The hotel is next to the Queen Victoria Market, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. I wandered around on the Sunday morning discovering all the food, fruit & vegies, clothes and general merchandise stalls. The Markets are open every day, except Mondays, with a night market held every Wednesday night. The Queen Victoria Market opened in 1878 with many of the original structures still standing. Next time I stay at the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne I must make the time to do the Self Guided Market History Tour.

The hotel is on tram route 55, which takes you one way along William Street down to the centre of the CBD and on to the Domain Interchange on St Kilda Road, and out of the CBD to West Coburg the other way. I often hopped on the tram to get around, as the hotel is in the new Free Tram Zone in the Melbourne CBD. The hotel is also near the free City Circle route 35 tram route that circles around the CBD area in a historic tram with a recorded commentary.

For those travelling to Melbourne by train the hotel is near Southern Cross Railway Station, and for those flying to Melbourne it is close to the Skybus Terminal. After I checked out of the hotel on my last day it was just a simple matter of getting on the free tram for a couple of blocks down William Street, then changing to a free tram on Collins Street for a couple of blocks and getting off outside the Skybus Terminal for the bus to Melbourne Airport.

If arriving by car there is self-parking and valet Hotel Parking.

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens
When staying at Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne I asked some of the other guests why they had chosen to stay there and not at one of the many other hotels in Melbourne. The most common answers reflected my view after staying there for the first time. It is in good accessible location, the staff are friendly and helpful, it has a homely welcoming atmosphere, the buffet breakfasts are delicious, and the spa pool on the top floor has stunning views, especially at night.

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne is a part of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, which is one of the world's largest and most dynamic hotel companies. It now has more than 1,400 hotels in 115 countries. Anyone can join Club Carlson, the hotel groups reward program to benefit from enhanced services and the ability to earn and redeem rewards.

I found the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens is Melbourne ideal in all ways  for my recent stay. If you want to experience this outstanding hotel for yourself book online and check out the Hotel Deals available.

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne 

380 William Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Phone: +61 3 9322 8000
Fax: +61 3 9322 8888
Email: resmelb@radisson.com
Website: www.radisson.com/melbourneau

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