Best Hotel in Melbourne ?
May 28, 2009, 5:25 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QF Platinum & Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,340
The Westin, the Park Hyatt and the Crown Towers are the three top hotels in Melbourne.
My favourite is the Westin for its location in the centre of the city. It is also quite luxurious.
The Park Hyatt is close to the CBD and is quite opulent, but has historically had service issues. But on a good day it can be very good.
The Crown Towers is probably the most "popular" luxury hotel in Melbourne and is probably the most glitzy (in a casino-ish type way) option in Melbourne.
The Langham is an older hotel - it opened in 1991. It should be fine if you are not looking for anything that special, but is not really a top tier option.
My favourite is the Westin for its location in the centre of the city. It is also quite luxurious.
The Park Hyatt is close to the CBD and is quite opulent, but has historically had service issues. But on a good day it can be very good.
The Crown Towers is probably the most "popular" luxury hotel in Melbourne and is probably the most glitzy (in a casino-ish type way) option in Melbourne.
The Langham is an older hotel - it opened in 1991. It should be fine if you are not looking for anything that special, but is not really a top tier option.
May 30, 2009, 2:35 pm
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Excellent summary and one I agree with (generally stay at the Westin). It has a great view of the Cathedral and busy pedestrian street (nice people watching at times) but not a view of the river. I stayed at the Langham when it was a Sheraton LC and perhaps Langham has renovated it (they sent me lots of mail saying they have). The Langham has a great view (from half of the hotel) and a lot of junior suites as well as some excellent full suites. So if wanting either cheap or expensive suite with a view it may be a cost-effective alternative to the other 3. In addition there are 4 or 5 boutique hotels that are worth staying at but they are not 5 star. The Grand Hyatt is not really in the top category, but it is one of the nicest Hyatts in the world.
May 30, 2009, 4:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: SEA (close to KPAE)
Programs: QFF NB, DJ Gold, A3 Gold, HHonors Gold, Marriott Silver, Carlson Silver, A|Club Gold
Posts: 481
Intercontinental The Rialto Just opened and looks up there in the Westin range. Havent had a chance to experience it yet but its getting good reviews.
May 30, 2009, 8:31 pm
#6
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I recently stayed at Westin and IC the Rialto.
I preferred IC the Rialto in terms of the room layout/size, but I did not stay in a 'standard' room at either (I was upgraded at both), so I cannot comment on what the standard rooms are like.
The decor is more modern style at IC than at Westin (I preferred the Westin decor which is a little more classic, but without being chintzy).
Rialto is relatively recently opened after extensive refurbishment (it used to be Le Meridien) so everything is pretty new.
Neither is really what I call luxury, but probably some of the best in Melbourne (which, in my opinion, is devoid of proper luxury hotel).
I found services to be quite a bit better at IC. They were very attentive without being in my face.
IC's toiletries are quite a bit nicer than at Westin (IC: Elemis, Westin: generic Westin ones).
However, Westin's location is substantially better than IC the Rialto if you need access to CBD or if you are a tourist.
They are both on Collins Street but Westin is much closer to the CBD - IC the Rialto is near the Southern Cross station end of Collins Street and so it takes quite a bit more walking to get to the CBD.
Also noteworthy is that you can often book IC for substantially less than what it costs to book Westin.
Crown Towers is too glitzy for my liking and I do not find it very elegant.
I preferred IC the Rialto in terms of the room layout/size, but I did not stay in a 'standard' room at either (I was upgraded at both), so I cannot comment on what the standard rooms are like.
The decor is more modern style at IC than at Westin (I preferred the Westin decor which is a little more classic, but without being chintzy).
Rialto is relatively recently opened after extensive refurbishment (it used to be Le Meridien) so everything is pretty new.
Neither is really what I call luxury, but probably some of the best in Melbourne (which, in my opinion, is devoid of proper luxury hotel).
I found services to be quite a bit better at IC. They were very attentive without being in my face.
IC's toiletries are quite a bit nicer than at Westin (IC: Elemis, Westin: generic Westin ones).
However, Westin's location is substantially better than IC the Rialto if you need access to CBD or if you are a tourist.
They are both on Collins Street but Westin is much closer to the CBD - IC the Rialto is near the Southern Cross station end of Collins Street and so it takes quite a bit more walking to get to the CBD.
Also noteworthy is that you can often book IC for substantially less than what it costs to book Westin.
Crown Towers is too glitzy for my liking and I do not find it very elegant.
May 30, 2009, 11:53 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BKK.DPS
Programs: P THAI,Diamond HYATT
Posts: 3,290
Hi Peterpack, because of the Diamond status, I get superb treatment at the GH and PH, but my favourite Melbourne hotel is the Sofitel. I, too find the Crown a little too glitzy, as a tourist I would suggest you live in the CBD, and dine over on the Southbank where your preferred hotels are both located. It's all within easy walking distance, with the Art's precinct and the Yarra River in between. CBD shopping is huge and the strip shopping in close by suburds is very trendy, enjoy your stay
Jun 2, 2009, 12:55 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Everywhere in Melbourne has pretty decent restaurants. Maybe the best in the world taken as a whole. Even the casino has some surprisingly good restaurants (better than the best in Vegas). But the best food is in the most humble places, and cheap.
Jun 2, 2009, 3:57 pm
#10
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,846
uh....tend to disagree about both the quality of the casino restaurants and also about Melb being "the best in the world taken as a whole." That was not my experience at all on the multiple trips I've made there. Maybe I just choose poorly.
Jun 2, 2009, 7:30 pm
#11
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
Hence the oft-repeated comment that Melbourne is not flashy and not a good tourist town. There are many (not dozens but hundreds) of good restaurants; I really do think it is overall the best in the world, and I don't say that lightly. But most hotel concierges can't direct you to any of them! You have to know some locals, I suppose.
As for the Crown entertainment complex restaurants, several are stunning. However there are 2 french restaurants and 1 is great, the other is mediocre -- so it is somewhat selective (and they both look to be the same quality). The japanese restaurant at CEC is competitive with Tsutsuya and would be in the top tier in Tokyo, for example.
As for the Crown entertainment complex restaurants, several are stunning. However there are 2 french restaurants and 1 is great, the other is mediocre -- so it is somewhat selective (and they both look to be the same quality). The japanese restaurant at CEC is competitive with Tsutsuya and would be in the top tier in Tokyo, for example.
Jun 3, 2009, 3:12 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,068
[QUOTE=number_6;11846632]Hence the oft-repeated comment that Melbourne is not flashy and not a good tourist town. There are many (not dozens but hundreds) of good restaurants; I really do think it is overall the best in the world, and I don't say that lightly. But most hotel concierges can't direct you to any of them! You have to know some locals, I suppose.
As for the Crown entertainment complex restaurants, several are stunning. However there are 2 french restaurants and 1 is great, the other is mediocre -- so it is somewhat selective (and they both look to be the same quality). The japanese restaurant at CEC is competitive with Tsutsuya and would be in the top tier in Tokyo, for example.[/QUOTE
Locals in Melbourne are always telling you that their food is better than anywhere else. I have always eaten fairly well in Melbourne and the coffee IS good, but Australians are extremely good at self publicity. This is not necessarily a bad thing (better to be positive than constantly negative, which we are guilty of in London), but I tend to take it all with a pinch of salt.
As for the Crown entertainment complex restaurants, several are stunning. However there are 2 french restaurants and 1 is great, the other is mediocre -- so it is somewhat selective (and they both look to be the same quality). The japanese restaurant at CEC is competitive with Tsutsuya and would be in the top tier in Tokyo, for example.[/QUOTE
Locals in Melbourne are always telling you that their food is better than anywhere else. I have always eaten fairly well in Melbourne and the coffee IS good, but Australians are extremely good at self publicity. This is not necessarily a bad thing (better to be positive than constantly negative, which we are guilty of in London), but I tend to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Jun 3, 2009, 6:03 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QF Platinum & Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,340
As for the Crown entertainment complex restaurants, several are stunning. However there are 2 french restaurants and 1 is great, the other is mediocre -- so it is somewhat selective (and they both look to be the same quality). The japanese restaurant at CEC is competitive with Tsutsuya and would be in the top tier in Tokyo, for example.
Jun 3, 2009, 6:06 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: QF Platinum & Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,340
[/QUOTE Locals in Melbourne are always telling you that their food is better than anywhere else. I have always eaten fairly well in Melbourne and the coffee IS good, but Australians are extremely good at self publicity. This is not necessarily a bad thing (better to be positive than constantly negative, which we are guilty of in London), but I tend to take it all with a pinch of salt.[/QUOTE]
Just a note to confirm that I don't believe Number 6 is from Melbourne. His profile indicates he is from Portland, Oregon.
Just a note to confirm that I don't believe Number 6 is from Melbourne. His profile indicates he is from Portland, Oregon.
Last edited by QF Lad; Jun 3, 2009 at 6:13 am
Jun 3, 2009, 7:10 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,068
[/QUOTE Locals in Melbourne are always telling you that their food is better than anywhere else. I have always eaten fairly well in Melbourne and the coffee IS good, but Australians are extremely good at self publicity. This is not necessarily a bad thing (better to be positive than constantly negative, which we are guilty of in London), but I tend to take it all with a pinch of salt.
Yes, I saw that.