The hotel
The Southbank precinct is located directly south of the Melbourne CBD and is bordered by the mighty Yarra River. The hotel is an easy 20 minute drive from Melbourne Airport and a short walk from Flinders Street Station, a hub for trams and trains. Shopping precinct Bourke Street Mall is also close by. At the hotel, you’ll find essential travellers’ facilities such as luggage storage and a communal laundry, plus secure guest parking nearby. The restaurant is open for breakfast daily and provides room service from 5pm to 10pm; alternatively, take advantage of the kitchenettes in all rooms.
The rooms
The standard guest rooms are available in various configurations. Choose between queen, twin, queen plus sofa bed, and twin plus sofa bed options, or opt for a family room with two queen beds. All rooms are equipped with work desks, kitchenettes with fridges and microwaves, tea and coffee facilities, TVs with cable and individually controlled air conditioning. Stay connected with iPod docks, telephones with voicemail and free wifi. Additional amenities in each room include an iron and hairdryer.
The neighbourhood
Visitors of all stripes are drawn to the glitzy Crown Casino, just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel along the promenade – but whether or not you’re in the mood for a flutter, the broader Crown complex is well worth visiting. Inside, there’s blockbuster dining at Nobu and Rockpool Bar & Grill as well as plenty of more casual food options, big budget theatre and live music from local and international stars, and cinemas and an amusement arcade for families.
Other major venues within a stone’s throw of the hotel include the always popular National Gallery of Victoria, whose exhibitions are considered among Australia’s best, the country’s largest performing arts centre, Arts Centre Melbourne, and the cutting edge Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Also nearby is Melbourne’s most significant tract of inner city green space, Kings Domain, which comprises the landscaped Alexandra Gardens, the Queen Victoria Gardens and memorial, the massive outdoor concert venue, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, the stately Royal Botanic Gardens and more. It’s easy to spend a day or more exploring this leafy precinct.