While not a typical Park Hyatt hotel, I enjoyed a relaxing three-night stay at the Park Hyatt Melbourne.
Please note this review is from 2013, but very little has changed at the property since my visit. I outline my reasons for publishing older reviews in the introduction to this trip report. You’ll note that my pictures look no different than photos only weeks old on Trip Advisor.
Let me start by saying that this hotel appears much more like a residential high-rise than a hotel. The lobby is filled with stonework and is much more grandiose than the usually minimalist Park Hyatt designs.
Another thing I noticed: the hotel was full of locals. We were in Melbourne in the dead of winter (not that winters are very harsh), I saw virtually no other guests in the halls, yet the lounge and restaurants were crowded. I asked someone at the front desk about this and they stated that a large chunk of business is from local residents who come in for a “staycation” or spa day.
And when you think about that, it makes sense: a beautiful pool, fitness center, tennis courts, a lounge with breakfast in the morning, dinner in the evening and complimentary alcohol. It’s no surprise locals find this attractive in a fairly pricey city.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Guest Room
We were upgraded to a quasi-suite on the 17th floor. I say quasi-suite because it was not technically two rooms, but featured a distinct “living area” with couch, chairs, and a fireplace. The hotel classifies it as a suite.
I had originally reserved a room with two twin beds and suites have a single bed. But, without my asking, the hotel had done some re-arranging so we still wound up with two single beds. It was unnecessary, but a nice touch nevertheless.
This stay was “back in the day” when Hyatt still routinely offered generous check-in amenities to top-tier guests. Waiting on my coffee table was a large bowl of fruit, bottle of water and Australian Shiraz, and some salty snacks.
The bathroom was large, featured more stonework, and plenty of room to move around.
Views from the room included Melbourne Park, home of the annual Australia Open.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Lounge
Very few Park Hyatt properties offer a club lounge, but Melbourne does. Serving weekend breakfast and nightly appetizers and drinks, it filled up each night. Lounge access is either paid or granted based upon Globalist World of Hyatt status.
The breakfast spread included continental breakfast items and other cold items.
While the evening offerings were intended to be appetizers, there was actually more than enough to make a meal out of it. Melbourne has so many good dining options so we had to battle to limit ourselves from overeating in the lounge.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Dining
During the week, lounge guests are invited to eat breakfast in Radii, the hotel’s main restaurant. Only continental breakfast is included (hot items are an extra 8AUD). That’s a bit cheap, but I paid the extra (and it did show up in my bill).
One day we had a late lunch in the Lounge & Garden. I had a herb salad with chips (French Fries), which were superb. High tea is available.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Pool + Fitness + Tennis
The hotel has a gorgeous indoor pool that I happily used twice. I never had to share it with anyone…
Nearby was a fitness center that included a limited selection of equipment. The machines were not new, but still quite serviceable.
Lastly, the hotel offers an outdoor tennis court overlooking the park below.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Late Night Noise
On my last night, a group of ladies across the hall (the door was opened when I walked by and I counted at least eight inside the room…) were having a bit too much fun. By 4am the screaming and music had become tiresome and I called the front desk to complain. It did not take more than a few minutes for the noise to cease.
Park Hyatt Melbourne Location
While the Grand Hyatt Melbourne arguably is better-located, we did most of our walking by foot. The Central Business District (CBD), filled with excellent restaurants, was easily within reach. Museums were not far either and also reachable by foot or tram.
CONCLUSION
I can already anticipate some of the comments — what a tired, outdated property. It is true that the hotel is very much unlike most other Park Hyatts. It is also true that the guest rooms and common areas could stand a refresh. But while this hotel may soon have its Park Hyatt Toronto moment, I thought it was comfortable and certainly not in dire need of any refurbishment. Next time I’m in Melbourne I’ll try the Grand Hyatt, but I did very much enjoy my stay at this hotel.
This is Category 5 hotel, meaning 20,000 points per night. I paid cash instead–about $200/night.
Glad you mentioned that the Grand Hyatt is better located and that makes all the difference.
I stayed there last year and it was a mixed bag. We had a room facing St. Patrick’s Cathedral which was spacious but well worn: chairs with sweat stains on the armrests, artwork that was sliding down in the frame, red mold in the shower. But these issues were not limited to the room, the hallway didn’t appear to have been vacuumed during our stay and at the front desk, you could see a pathway through the dust that led to the back and the doors at the side.
The guest service manager was sympathetic but it was a bit of a let down for what Hyatt considers a flagship name brand. After checkout, the GM replied to our feedback stating “we’ll be renovating soon” but it sounds like nearly a year later, that is not the case.
The ‘better’ location of the GH is often overstated….it’s a 5 minute stroll between the two. I like both …very much …and reinforcing the suggestion that (lazy) locals make up a significant proportion of the guests, I have a home 1/2 way between them but still stay reasonably often ( and use both for overflow visitors).
Both are used for wedding parties and other celebrations ( no doubt the noise issue you faced)
The PH can be cheaper than the GH from time to time, more commonly in winter , and the rates are something of a bargain now the AUD is cheap again . On the other hand the GH can get extremely expensive during peak times, eg summer during the tennis.
I prefer the rooms /suites at the PH ( even in their vaguely shabby pre-renovation condition = much nicer than GH).