Crowne Plaza Melbourne, March and April 2022

What is your Priority Club status?
Spire

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
Yes

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
First stay in March I booked river view and was upgraded to city river casino view, which is nice and slightly bigger.
Second stay in April I booked river casino view and was told at check-in they had upgraded me to a river casino view room, which made me laugh (I guess nobody usually pays for them, so the clerk assumed it was an upgrade). Anyway, it was during F1, so there was zero chance of an upgrade.

How are the rooms?
Much better since the refurbishment. Looking modern and well equipped. As long as you have the outside rooms (river view), they have a big window so they're quite bright.
No more bathtub, which I actually prefer to the old "shower over the bathtub" set-up.

How is the exec. lounge?
N/A

What was good and what was bad?
Good:
- Well refurbished. Fits the bill as a business hotel. Nothing missing.
- Breakfast was good too, although they still charge extra for proper coffee
Bad:
- Room service menu is quite limited
- No specific recognition for loyalty. I probably spent 100 nights in this hotel as Spire (now Diamond) and don't think I even had a "welcome back".
- Glasses in the room not well cleaned (both stays)

Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
Yes due to location (close to my office). For me it's a business hotel so I'm not sure I'd go here on a personal trip, but I think this being on the edge of the CBD, the hotel is cheaper than if you were right in the middle of it even though it's pretty close. So I think it's good value, and you do get nicer views.