Crown Metropol, Melbourne

Located smack in the middle of Melbourne CBD, on the Southbank of the Yarra river, Crown Metropol is the ideal address to see and be seen. Flaunting a more subtle approach than to the Crown Towers, Crown Metropol combines functional with chic.

A taxi ride from Melbourne airport will set you back A$50-$65 depending on the time of the day. An Uber ride would cost between A$40 to A$50 plus the Melbourne Airport levy.

The hotel is located at the crossing of Clarendon and Whiteman streets with an impressive foyer with the hotel’s branding standing out. A friendly concierge team welcomes you to the hotel leading to lobby.

The ambient lobby features large ground to ceiling glass panels allowing for ample natural light. There’s a large floating staircase leading from the lobby to mezzanine which adds to the classy look. Flaunting a minimalist approach, the lobby has done away with large couches and structural seating. Scattered ‘space pad’ chairs are placed across the lobby providing for a more ergonomic and functional approach. Also very welcoming is a massive mural by Victorian artist Noel Skrzypczak and uniquely designed art pieces such as the chestnut-wood ball sculptures by Korean artist Lee Jae Hyo.

Crown Metropol boasts of a total of 658 rooms with six room types. There are 579 entry level Luxe rooms on floors eight to 26. On the next level up, the studios have a living area, while the lofts have a separate living and dining area, as well as a bathroom with a bath, double vanity and three televisions. The colour schemes are distinct and varies between room types featuring shades of black with highlights of taupes and browns.

Luxe rooms are 38 sq.mts and feature king sized beds or two queens. The room comes with amenities you’d expect of a Crown property – bedside power, bottled water, an LCD TV, a coffee maker, an iron and ironing board and a working desk. The large windows provide for ample lighting and is well complemented by the dark colour pallette of the rooms.

The vanity is cleverly conceived and maximises the space. Well thought of and with everything in reach as you’d expect it to be. Towels are luxurious and the shower is large with a good shower jet pressure. Crown’s own branded and quality amenities are provided for personal use.

The room features a large wall mounted LCD TV featuring latest in-room movies and TV channels. It also features a full menu of the happenings at the Crown precinct. Crown’s entertainment hub features world’s top restaurants, entertainment and events. Discount and special offers are advertised on the TV and one can easily browse and book through the concierge.

Luxury bath robes are a standard in the room and slippers are available too.

A well stocked mini bar is at you disposal.

A choice of local beer and wine and soft drinks are available and charged to your room account.

The room’s desk and chair proved comfortable for several hours of work with easy-reach desk-level outlets for power-hungry laptops. There are no USB charge points that are standard in top hotel rooms. The lamp provides for sufficient lighting and there ample natural light coming through that makes work more pleasant. There are 2 Voip phones with international and local calling. WIFI internet is complementary. Internet speed is not the best and is only good for downloading emails. However, there is a paid, high speed internet service available for purchase.

For extended work days, you can head to the hotel’s business zone ‘The Office’ which is an ideal venue to organise the day, plan to meet clients and work uninterrupted. The office has a sophisticated boardroom with latest audio visual facilities and smaller meeting rooms with computer and printer access.

Complimentary WiFi is offered at The Office with high speed internet available at an extra cost.

Breakfast is served at 28 Skybar lounge which is a decent spread of fresh fruit, danishes, yoghurts and cereals along with cooked breakfast. The coffee is great too.

Melbourne is famous for its gastronomic offerings and Crown houses a big chunk of that with some of the finest restaurants serving up everything from contemporary to fine dining. The world’s leading chefs have their signature restaurants in Crown namely Dinner by Heston Bluementhal and Rockpool by legendary Australian chef Neil Perry. Crown Metropol’s contemporary in-house restaurant is Mr. Hive Kitchen & Bar dishing up contemporary Australian cuisine.

Happy hour drinks are served at 28 Skybar lounge where select beers and wines are available at reduced prices. 28 Skybar Lounge offers the best views in the of the city and Dandenong ranges. 28 Skybar Lounge is a great place to chill out and relax. There’s a great cocktail list and canapes are available on order for a light snack before heading out to dinner.

Large floor to ceiling windows offer ample natural light and sprawling views of Melbourne.

Crown Metropol Melbourne combines the best of both worlds, work and leisure. It’s convenient location in the Melbourne CBD and  just across the road from the Melbourne Convention Bureau makes it the best fit for a hotel when you’re in town to attend conventions or exhibitions. With great dining, entertainment right at the doorstep it’s a well thought of business property with requirements to suit the avid business traveller today.