Anyone stayed there recently? I'll be on a 21-day advance-purchase Internet-only tariff and I'm a Platinum. Is an upgrade likely? Will it be worth it?

Can't help with the upgrade ? as I'm not plat, but I posted my recent experience in the below thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414120

Thanks. I scrolled through all the old posts before I came to yours and thought "bummer". However yours gave me more hope. I was wondering whether it was the old Rockmans as I wasn't aware of a new hotel in the area. I'll post my own impressions after I've stayed

I booked at the Marriott Melbourne on a 21-day APEX fare and then read this thread - so I was interested to see what would happen. I am a Platinum member with MR

I received an email a couple of days before arrival asking if there was anything extra I required eg. extra towels. I asked for extra towels but I'm not sure if I got them or not. The reservation was for one person. I got two towels, which I'd have thought was standard issue

I checked in and was told I had been upgraded to a one-bedroom suite. Very nice. The room was extremely comfortable and I slept well. Because the weather outside was foul, I decided to eat in the hotel. Bad decision. The "in-room dining" menu has to be the most basic I've ever seen. So I went to the dining room and found about one thing I wanted to eat (and I should say I'm not a particularly fussy eater)

The Executive Lounge was fine, and breakfast was better than I've had in some Renaissance Lounges in the US

So, as far as basic hotel facilities go, I'd stay there again. But I'd definitely eat out - and since it's on the edge of Chinatown there's lots of restaurants within a block or two

However, that was nearly a week ago and I'm still waiting for the points to post. I know I'm going to get some points because they offered me the 500-point bonus on check-in as an option, which I took

Points were posted 10 minutes after I created this entry!!

Is there any new reviews on this property?

CL open on weekends?

Thanks,
Tina

I have nothing but positive words for this property. This was the first stop on a tour around Oz and a friend of mine arrived a day before I did. She's "timid" in any location that's not her dad's house - and that's putting it nicely.

So the concierge put together a welcome package for her with American staples and their Australian counterparts, a map, and a list of scavenger hunt locales / food to check out, etc, and if she returned with pictures of herself at all locations doing all required events, she would receive dinner on the hotel (ie, charged to me).

And they did all this and charged to my account before I got there so that she wouldn't hole up in the room and waste away a whole day. Fabulous staff!!

The lounge is small but has several hot dishes in the afternoon, has only one complimentary computer in the lounge due to the size but it's easy to gain access in the afternoons. breakfast also has several hot and cold dishes. only bummer are the water bottles are actually glass bottles. so not easily swiped for walking around town.

good walking location from everything a tourist would want to see. i say go for it. im plat and got the upgrade so not sure about the lower tiers success rate.

oh and this was november 2008.

enjoy! and have fun!

Thanks for the update!

I recently got the "taste of gold" upgrade, and have
hope an upgrade will be available. The rate is over $300au,
and I wanted to see if the value was there.

Was the CL open on the weekends?

Yes CL is open on weekends.

Pictures

Just to note on checking out today, on talking to a manager, possibly the GM, this property will begin renovations in the next few months. Which is good news, as the TV's are tiny, my main issue, they will be getting the new standard issue AV systems and 42" screens.. New bathrooms etc... A bit of pain for 6 months but should be a nice sorta new Marriott in Melbourne.

When will this start? What exactly will they do?

I belive they have started the full room refurbs now, I will try to confirm with the property. Two months ago they kindly put me into the test room for the refurb, was excellent-a massive improvement.

Total redesign, much better space utilisation, proper Marriott bed, 42" LCD panel on the wall, bath removed in bathroom to create a massive shower (with a handy bench)...

Boy, do the ever need this refurb. Stayed there for one night a few days ago and it was very threadbare. Nice to hear about the renovation!