Need Help With Melbourne 5* dig's

[jaffa]

Will be in Melb, from the 19th-24th Nov for business.

Have not been for 18 months and am unsure of present status of 5* property's

Will be holding a series of meetings in house, hosting clients.

I am looking to spend up to $500 pn.

Would prefer a suite.
where lounge is sep to bedroom and decent sized bathroom with sep tub and shower .
Would prefer club or exec floor (but not imperative).
I like hotels with great bar/bar's and a switched on concierge (may need to take clients to short notice meals in good rest's)

Don't need a hotel spa or such.

prefer to be close to city as will be doing some work at convention center.


Any recommendations or suggestions
Anyone know of any deals

Am a HHonors member but last time l stayed in Melb Hilton was not impressed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Evan]

There is apparently a new Hilton opened near south bank in the city also now... Not 100% sure on that.
There is the brand new Intercontinental at Rialto.
Crown hotels could be a possible, not sure if they have renovated yet, i have not been in years.

Sorry i cant actually say i have stayed at either of the first 2.

E

 

[serfty]

The new docklands Hilton has not opened yet- currently mooted for April.

(Travel should take you places - Hilton Melbourne South Wharf)

Being a Melbourne resident; I do not stay in town often so can't really assist.

Maybe if you contact the hotels directly, find out what they can offer and get quotes.

 

[oz_mark]

There is apparently a new Hilton opened near south bank in the city also now... Not 100% sure on that.
There is the brand new Intercontinental at Rialto.

Neither of these are open just yet.

Not having stayed in any of these I can't really comment on the rooms

In terms of distance from the Convention Centre the closest 5* options would be Crown Towers (0.5km), Langham (1km) both in the Southbank area. Others like the Marriot and Sofitel are in the CBD maybe 2km from the Convention Centre.

I do know of people that like the Sofitel, but as I say, no personal experience.

 

[Keith009]

The Westin would appear to fit your requirements. But I think a bit over $500 for suites.

It is located about a 10 mins tram ride along Collins St to the Convention Centre.

Service is great with excellent concierge service. Decor is typical Westin-style crisp and contemporary. They have both a lobby bar, as well as the v nice Martini Bar though the latter can get pretty busy over the weekends. Around the corner at City Square there are a few more v nice bars.

 

[opusman]

Vote +1 for the Westin, nicest 5* hotel in AU in my opinion.

 

[superchris]

The Westin is a favourite Hotel. By far the best service in Melbourne.

 

[Chris_Leo]

I would have to recommend the Westin on Collins! It is quite simply one of my favourite hotel chains in Australia. The Collins location cannot be beat, the ambience, service, rooms are all top notch.

Sofitel would come a close second, only because it is not as close to the city center as the Westin (i.e. at the top of the Paris end of Collins), and the rooms are older than the Westin (e.g. old a/c units throughout the building). Apart from those few gripes, the Sofitel is almost as good as the Westin. Ooooh....one thing the Sofitel has that the Westin does not have is the Lenotre experience (i.e. chocolate!!!!!)

 

[Cynicor]

Stayed in the Sofitel in July and loved it. Great rooms with lots of space. Never been to the Westin, however, which seems to be getting even more kudos.

 

[Keith009]

If you end up at the Westin, do check out Ezard's which is just behind the Westin on Flinders Lane (basement of the Adelphi hotel), some of the best Mod Oz (pan-Asian fusion) and fantastic wine list:

ezard restaurant private dining room Flinders Lane Melbourne Adelphi Hotel "teage ezard"

 

[Febs]

Crown Towers is fantastic - still one of the few hotels that I would consider missing out on SPG/Hyatt points for.

Was upgraded to a suite once - very nice. Around $450/night from memory. Great views, huge rooms, 2 x plasmas. Best location of any Melbourne hotel IMO too.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[jaffa]

Thanks everyone for all your input,

After much deliberation l have booked a "Premier Club Suite" (100sqm) at Sofitel for $402.00pn for the 5 nights including breakfast. Which seems to be really good rates.

I did try the Westin but they only had Deluxe rooms (55sqm) at $420pn, so not enough space.

It seems by your reply's that the Sofitel runs a close 2nd, so that helped me make the decision.

If anyone would like me to, l will post a trip report on my return.
Clients foot the bill for the air travel on this one, so l have dom J tickets return.
I am keen to see how the new seat allocation system that QF has just introduced works for me this time round.
fully paid J should give me great allocation, but l have been reading some bad reports By QFF Plat's re allocation, so lets see what a QFF Gold receives waving the cash.

Are the bar's at the Sofitel ok?
I really liked the lobby bar at the BNE Sofitel, is there a similar ambience at any of the bars in Melb??

Thanks again for all your help.....

 

[Keith009]

I've not been to the bar at Sofitel Brisbane, though if you tell me your style I could suggest a few places.

 

[markis10]

What room did you get as a "premier club suite" of 100m2 does not seem to exist : Rooms and suites of the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins hotel

Largest is 70sqm as far as I can see????

 

[jaffa]

Sorry Markis10,

You are right, it is a Prestige club suite not premier as l said, l don't know how l screwed that up
thanks for the correction....

I got the good rate by an advance payment reservation ...

QF009

Elegant/sophisticated, laid back, good Martini's and single malts, good red wine selection. some sort of background music. Not too young a crowd. business style, not to casual. excellent service, friendly atmosphere. somewhere where l won't feel out of place in a jacket and sometimes a tie.
I like it when they remember your name and choice of beverage. I work in high pressure and when relaxing like to sit back and people watch or enjoy intelligent conversation with interesting people who know how to handle their drink and maintain respect.

Thanks,
Colin...................

 

[markis10]

Sorry Markis10,

You are right, it is a Prestige club suite not premier as l said, l don't know how l screwed that up
thanks for the correction....

No need to say sorry, I was just curious to see if the rooms had changed much since I last stayed there, I find some hotels definitions of their rooms leaves a little bit to be desired, the bathroom of the Presidential Suite at CP Parramatta would not fit too many Presidents, and dont get me started on the "executive" suites at the sugar shaker!

 

[Keith009]

You want to try Martini Bar at the Westin, about a few blocks down from where you are on the same street. Crowd is quite mixed, quite a few suit types there.

Another I can think of is The Deanery, a wine bar on Bligh Place, off Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Queens Sts. V mixed and diverse yet elegant crowd, cool decor. Fantastic wine lists and sommeliers. Popular for after work drinks.

Near the corner of Spring and Bourke (right opposite Parliament House) is Supper Club. Rather formal, and expensive. Decor is a bit too toffy and drab for me but I understand how people could find it "charming", "quaint" or "grand." Has a rather bourgeois feel in fact. But great wine and champers list. Had afterparty drinks here with the good folks of LH after that function for SENs and HONs last year - as it was their treat we explored the menu pretty thoroughly.

Oh and if you like coffee there's a pretty good coffee shop next door to Supper Club called The European. Also serves up a rather good feed with decent wine lists. Might even rub shoulder with a pollie or two.

I'd also suggest Gin Palace (off Lt Collins between Swanston and Russell) for nice coughtails but I suspect the atmosphere there isn't exactly up your alley. They can also be rather understaffed when it's heaving over the weekends.

 

[jaffa]

I'm very great full to both of you!

Cheers,
Colin......................

 

[Starship]

You want to try Martini Bar at the Westin, about a few blocks down from where you are on the same street. Crowd is quite mixed, quite a few suit types there.

Another I can think of is The Deanery, a wine bar on Bligh Place, off Flinders Lane between Elizabeth and Queens Sts. V mixed and diverse yet elegant crowd, cool decor. Fantastic wine lists and sommeliers. Popular for after work drinks.

Near the corner of Spring and Bourke (right opposite Parliament House) is Supper Club. Rather formal, and expensive. Decor is a bit too toffy and drab for me but I understand how people could find it "charming", "quaint" or "grand." Has a rather bourgeois feel in fact. But great wine and champers list. Had afterparty drinks here with the good folks of LH after that function for SENs and HONs last year - as it was their treat we explored the menu pretty thoroughly.

Oh and if you like coffee there's a pretty good coffee shop next door to Supper Club called The European. Also serves up a rather good feed with decent wine lists. Might even rub shoulder with a pollie or two.

I'd also suggest Gin Palace (off Lt Collins between Swanston and Russell) for nice coughtails but I suspect the atmosphere there isn't exactly up your alley. They can also be rather understaffed when it's heaving over the weekends.

Agree with all your suggestions QF009.

Jaffa - There are numerous small (ie 50 max patrons) bars in melb - which the concierge would know.

Do not forget the Atrium bar at the Sofitel on Level 35.
The Sofitel Melbourne Website - Atrium While you have a suite, this should not be of issue, but for many visitors to Melbourne, the 'mens room' has one of the best 'toilet views' anywhere!!

If you want a very classy, but larger bar - try Silks (Corner of Collins and Market Sts - about 6 blocks west of your Hotel) where i think they recently ie 6 months ago, spent $9m refurbishing. While it has approx 8 different areas, some massive chandeliers, the wine room [around to the right of the entrance] is very good for a quieter experience - and yes they remember you!

Many good restaurants - if you want the up market English feel, try Syracuse in Bank Place (across the road from Silks), and if your clients wallet extends - the classic Flower Drum for Chinese in Little Bourke Street.

 

[Keith009]

If you want a very classy, but larger bar - try Silks (Corner of Collins and Market Sts - about 6 blocks west of your Hotel) where i think they recently ie 6 months ago, spent $9m refurbishing. While it has approx 8 different areas, some massive chandeliers, the wine room [around to the right of the entrance] is very good for a quieter experience - and yes they remember you!

Ah yes, was there for an afterparty during Spring Fashion Week. Great place, totally fierce. Was going to suggest it but I didn't think the crowd was what jaffa is after, then again the regular crowd might be different.