turtlemichael
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Crown Metropol Hotel | Red carpet launch for new hotel
I look forward to the first trip report. The pool looks great.
I look forward to the first trip report. The pool looks great.
Crown Metropol in Melbourne
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Alanslegal
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I'll be writing a review on the CM but won't be ready until this weekend. Maybe someone can beat me to it?
haydensydney
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It looks great. I am dissapointed there aren't any balconies at this property but it still looks hot hot hot.
Where is it located in comparison to the casino?
Where is it located in comparison to the casino?
ric_melb
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Crown Metropol is located in Clarendon Street, at the West End of the Casino.
Connected by internal walkways to the Casino. Don't worry its not far to walk.
I would think there is a very good reason why the hotel has no balconies.
Just think about what gamblers might do if they lost heavily.
Connected by internal walkways to the Casino. Don't worry its not far to walk.
I would think there is a very good reason why the hotel has no balconies.
Just think about what gamblers might do if they lost heavily.
I stayed at the Crown Metropol for four nights starting the first night they opened (the 6th to the 10th of April) while I was in Melb for a conference. I decided to stay there rather than the official conference hotel because I thought staying at a hotel on opening night might be special (having never had the chance to do it before).
I'm not much a TR writer, and I'm certainly not one to take photos of hotel rooms, but I can say that the photos you'll find online are a fair indication of the place.
The room was very nice if you like contemporary styling - I'd say it is most similar to the IC Sydney. As stated earlier, the pool is certainly a highlight, especially at night time - giving you a good view over the city lights. Also, the food is good, with a decent hotel downstairs also arranging the room service. The nearest comparison in this regard in my experience would probably be the Sydney Hilton. I can't really judge the 'vibe' because the place was basically empty, which is just as well because the gym is tiny for a large hotel. Also, the staff were pretty rubbish - checking in and out took longer than any good Australian hotel I've stayed at (no automatic checkout). Each day I had to call room service to get my room cleaned because I was in my room when they stopped by. I guess they only tried once before sliding the "call us" card under the door because I was out of the hotel each day between 7 and at least 3, usually much later, though admittedly I stopped by in the middle of the day for about an hour to get work done. I was given a fruit bowl on the second night and from then on (though two out of three nights it was simply 4 large green apples). To top it off I was charged $25 for mini-bar food that I didn't touch.
Hopefully they sort these things out soon, but I won't be giving it a second chance given the other choices available.
I'm not much a TR writer, and I'm certainly not one to take photos of hotel rooms, but I can say that the photos you'll find online are a fair indication of the place.
The room was very nice if you like contemporary styling - I'd say it is most similar to the IC Sydney. As stated earlier, the pool is certainly a highlight, especially at night time - giving you a good view over the city lights. Also, the food is good, with a decent hotel downstairs also arranging the room service. The nearest comparison in this regard in my experience would probably be the Sydney Hilton. I can't really judge the 'vibe' because the place was basically empty, which is just as well because the gym is tiny for a large hotel. Also, the staff were pretty rubbish - checking in and out took longer than any good Australian hotel I've stayed at (no automatic checkout). Each day I had to call room service to get my room cleaned because I was in my room when they stopped by. I guess they only tried once before sliding the "call us" card under the door because I was out of the hotel each day between 7 and at least 3, usually much later, though admittedly I stopped by in the middle of the day for about an hour to get work done. I was given a fruit bowl on the second night and from then on (though two out of three nights it was simply 4 large green apples). To top it off I was charged $25 for mini-bar food that I didn't touch.
Hopefully they sort these things out soon, but I won't be giving it a second chance given the other choices available.
Alanslegal
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A report on the Crown Metropol (sorry this is long)
Last weekend the GF and I managed to sneak down into Melbourne for a lovely weekend. It was by no means an essential trip but for the GF it was a necessary evil where she had to start her QF WP chase for 2010-11 and earn some qualifying QF segments, thus we flew the more expensive QF option.
On our 2 – 4 trips down to Melbourne each year, we usually head straight to the Westin Melbourne but last weekend they wanted more than $700 just for the two nights so we clearly were not willing to pay this extreme amount.
So we searched for other properties more in our budget, the $200 per night range, and before we knew it we came across the new Crown Metropol.
I was a bit reluctant to book this hotel purely because of its location, which was on the south side of the YarraRiver. Yes it is adjacent to the Crown Entertainment Complex and has direct internal walkways to get there but we don’t really go down to Melbourne for things in the Crown Complex.
But when I did a search for more information on the CM, early reviews gave this hotel top marks. Even TripAdvisor pushed its ranking straight to 13th and then 5th in the matter of two weeks. Ok so I was sold!
Firstly, I booked through Lastminute (dot) com and it was not one of those ‘secret’ hotel options. The cost was $202 per night plus $5.50 service fee (so $407.50 for the weekend) and we reserved a Luxe King room with a request for a high floor.
We arrived at the CM via the Airport Express shuttle service. Waiting at the entrance were around 5 porters and assistance all smartly dressed in black suits who looked more like bouncers to a night club than a traditional hotel – however none offered to assist with baggage but I guess we were only carrying hand luggage / weekend bags. We entered the relatively small but impressive lobby and lined up in queue to be checked in, it was a few minutes wait but understandable because it was the official check-out time of 11am.
We were greeted by a welcoming agent. I asked if a room would be ready given we had arrived early and she said it would all be fine. After the usual ID and credit card check, I was offered a non-smoking room on the 25th floor (the hotel has a total of 28) which I accepted. I enquired about the hotel and she advised of the grand opening date in 4 nights time and then pointed out the Maze Restaurant and the must visit pool / gym on Level 27. Without much more to say, I took the room key and wondered around the elevator lobby.
The elevator lobby was darkened and had minimal lighting – cool – and that the carpet had swirls of multi-colours - very sensual to the eyes I would say. The elevator were standard types, no fancy pants LCD TVs on the floor (like the W Hong Kong) or the ceilings (like the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas) nor was there any music in the background to tickle the ear lobes. It was a plain standard elevator, which required the room key to access your destination floor.
The hallway to the room was again darkened during the day and seemed more lit up during the evenings, maybe it was just an illusion? Or maybe it was just my eyes?
We arrived at our room – inserted the key – and entered the brand new (well if less than two weeks old is brand new) room. I won’t post photos but I will say that the room is identical to the promotional photos that are being circulated through the media and online. There is no trick photography and “what you see, is what you get”.
Near the entrance and to my left was a large space for bags, a clothes wardrobe, electronic safe, more storage space, a mini-bar, snacks and nibbles for purchase and a nicely presented tray of wine glasses, champagne flutes and ice bucket ‘ready for usage’.
The bathroom, like the photos, was large and functional. A separate shower, enclosed toilet, but no strangely it did not have a bath tub. I would have liked a bathtub (even though I rarely use them) and it would have been nice to create a double ‘his & her’ sink, rather than the standard single sink. Bathroom amenities were non-branded which was a bit of a shame but the smell was of lemon-citrus, which although popular, works well.
The main room consisted of the large king bed, with a floating full length wooden shelf as part of the bed head – against the black wall. There was a 42 inch full HD television fixed to the wall opposite (which was a contrasting white wall) and there was also an ipod dock / alarm next to the bed. A large comfortable chaise lounge adjacent to the full length floor to ceiling windows, which gave a full 180 degree mesmerising view of the city – though I would think on lower floors you may see a bit more of the Crown Casino rooftop car park and be a bit annoyed with it. Other reviews will say the view of the bay, that is the non-city view rooms, would be a better choice. Either view I think, you couldn’t go wrong.
Now, here is the disappointment – the king bed was pretty firm in my opinion. No fancy pants ‘pillow top’ mattress – as I do regularly experience in a Sheraton, Westin or W – and the pillows were limp and soft that had absolutely no support around my neck. To be honest, it was much comfortable resting on the chaise lounge.
Now to be fussy, for such a new and funky design hotel, the light controls and electronics in the room were just out-dated. No switches were labelled and at all times, I had to ‘trial & error’ to see which switch did what. Also the full length curtains should have been made electrically operated (like they do at the W Hong Kong & Le Meridien Bangkok for example) rather than the self-pull the curtains along its rails action.
Let’s move on now, all the staff were friendly and courteous, and would say Hi or Hi, how are you? And seemed happy to be there (that’s a gimme I suppose given the newness of the hotel).
The Level 27 pool / gym area is pretty much amazing. The pool area is as like the photos. Although the hotel is actually 28 levels the pool area is a large enclosed space covering two floors with floor to rooftop glass and with views as far as the eyes can see. There is an amazing lighting fixtures via gigantic drop lights which are cleverly located above the sundeck chairs and multiple ‘couples’ lounge chaises. The infinity pool is approx. 20-25 metres long and great for laps but for relaxation, you can use the large hot tub – just water @ 38 degrees with no jets – to savour in the views of the city below.
The fully equipped gym with brand new Life Fitness equipment again has panoramic views directly west, straight towards the EurekaTower and beyond. A variety of weight-loading machines, free weights, mats and exercise balls – all with natural lighting.
There is a day spa for a fee on the same level but I did not try that out. I also did not try the only restaurant in the hotel, which is the ‘Maze – by Gordon Ramsey’. I did not eat there but did walk past it multiple times – as it adjoins the internal walkway to get through to the Crown Casino. It’s a chic restaurant and on both nights, most patrons wore very smart casual attire. Looked like a great place to just relax by the bar or lounges and have a coughtail or two with a few close friends.
Overall a very enjoyable stay except the bed, and the location was just a bit out of the way – from the regular cafes and laneways that Melbourne is famous for.
Last weekend the GF and I managed to sneak down into Melbourne for a lovely weekend. It was by no means an essential trip but for the GF it was a necessary evil where she had to start her QF WP chase for 2010-11 and earn some qualifying QF segments, thus we flew the more expensive QF option.
On our 2 – 4 trips down to Melbourne each year, we usually head straight to the Westin Melbourne but last weekend they wanted more than $700 just for the two nights so we clearly were not willing to pay this extreme amount.
So we searched for other properties more in our budget, the $200 per night range, and before we knew it we came across the new Crown Metropol.
I was a bit reluctant to book this hotel purely because of its location, which was on the south side of the YarraRiver. Yes it is adjacent to the Crown Entertainment Complex and has direct internal walkways to get there but we don’t really go down to Melbourne for things in the Crown Complex.
But when I did a search for more information on the CM, early reviews gave this hotel top marks. Even TripAdvisor pushed its ranking straight to 13th and then 5th in the matter of two weeks. Ok so I was sold!
Firstly, I booked through Lastminute (dot) com and it was not one of those ‘secret’ hotel options. The cost was $202 per night plus $5.50 service fee (so $407.50 for the weekend) and we reserved a Luxe King room with a request for a high floor.
We arrived at the CM via the Airport Express shuttle service. Waiting at the entrance were around 5 porters and assistance all smartly dressed in black suits who looked more like bouncers to a night club than a traditional hotel – however none offered to assist with baggage but I guess we were only carrying hand luggage / weekend bags. We entered the relatively small but impressive lobby and lined up in queue to be checked in, it was a few minutes wait but understandable because it was the official check-out time of 11am.
We were greeted by a welcoming agent. I asked if a room would be ready given we had arrived early and she said it would all be fine. After the usual ID and credit card check, I was offered a non-smoking room on the 25th floor (the hotel has a total of 28) which I accepted. I enquired about the hotel and she advised of the grand opening date in 4 nights time and then pointed out the Maze Restaurant and the must visit pool / gym on Level 27. Without much more to say, I took the room key and wondered around the elevator lobby.
The elevator lobby was darkened and had minimal lighting – cool – and that the carpet had swirls of multi-colours - very sensual to the eyes I would say. The elevator were standard types, no fancy pants LCD TVs on the floor (like the W Hong Kong) or the ceilings (like the Planet Hollywood Las Vegas) nor was there any music in the background to tickle the ear lobes. It was a plain standard elevator, which required the room key to access your destination floor.
The hallway to the room was again darkened during the day and seemed more lit up during the evenings, maybe it was just an illusion? Or maybe it was just my eyes?
We arrived at our room – inserted the key – and entered the brand new (well if less than two weeks old is brand new) room. I won’t post photos but I will say that the room is identical to the promotional photos that are being circulated through the media and online. There is no trick photography and “what you see, is what you get”.
Near the entrance and to my left was a large space for bags, a clothes wardrobe, electronic safe, more storage space, a mini-bar, snacks and nibbles for purchase and a nicely presented tray of wine glasses, champagne flutes and ice bucket ‘ready for usage’.
The bathroom, like the photos, was large and functional. A separate shower, enclosed toilet, but no strangely it did not have a bath tub. I would have liked a bathtub (even though I rarely use them) and it would have been nice to create a double ‘his & her’ sink, rather than the standard single sink. Bathroom amenities were non-branded which was a bit of a shame but the smell was of lemon-citrus, which although popular, works well.
The main room consisted of the large king bed, with a floating full length wooden shelf as part of the bed head – against the black wall. There was a 42 inch full HD television fixed to the wall opposite (which was a contrasting white wall) and there was also an ipod dock / alarm next to the bed. A large comfortable chaise lounge adjacent to the full length floor to ceiling windows, which gave a full 180 degree mesmerising view of the city – though I would think on lower floors you may see a bit more of the Crown Casino rooftop car park and be a bit annoyed with it. Other reviews will say the view of the bay, that is the non-city view rooms, would be a better choice. Either view I think, you couldn’t go wrong.
Now, here is the disappointment – the king bed was pretty firm in my opinion. No fancy pants ‘pillow top’ mattress – as I do regularly experience in a Sheraton, Westin or W – and the pillows were limp and soft that had absolutely no support around my neck. To be honest, it was much comfortable resting on the chaise lounge.
Now to be fussy, for such a new and funky design hotel, the light controls and electronics in the room were just out-dated. No switches were labelled and at all times, I had to ‘trial & error’ to see which switch did what. Also the full length curtains should have been made electrically operated (like they do at the W Hong Kong & Le Meridien Bangkok for example) rather than the self-pull the curtains along its rails action.
Let’s move on now, all the staff were friendly and courteous, and would say Hi or Hi, how are you? And seemed happy to be there (that’s a gimme I suppose given the newness of the hotel).
The Level 27 pool / gym area is pretty much amazing. The pool area is as like the photos. Although the hotel is actually 28 levels the pool area is a large enclosed space covering two floors with floor to rooftop glass and with views as far as the eyes can see. There is an amazing lighting fixtures via gigantic drop lights which are cleverly located above the sundeck chairs and multiple ‘couples’ lounge chaises. The infinity pool is approx. 20-25 metres long and great for laps but for relaxation, you can use the large hot tub – just water @ 38 degrees with no jets – to savour in the views of the city below.
The fully equipped gym with brand new Life Fitness equipment again has panoramic views directly west, straight towards the EurekaTower and beyond. A variety of weight-loading machines, free weights, mats and exercise balls – all with natural lighting.
There is a day spa for a fee on the same level but I did not try that out. I also did not try the only restaurant in the hotel, which is the ‘Maze – by Gordon Ramsey’. I did not eat there but did walk past it multiple times – as it adjoins the internal walkway to get through to the Crown Casino. It’s a chic restaurant and on both nights, most patrons wore very smart casual attire. Looked like a great place to just relax by the bar or lounges and have a coughtail or two with a few close friends.
Overall a very enjoyable stay except the bed, and the location was just a bit out of the way – from the regular cafes and laneways that Melbourne is famous for.
Alanslegal
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- Jun 22, 2007
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Some random photos....
Exterior:-
Check In & Lobby Lounge:
Fancy Wooden Balls:
Ground Floor Elevator Lobby:
Room Floor Hallway:
Exterior:-
Check In & Lobby Lounge:
Fancy Wooden Balls:
Ground Floor Elevator Lobby:
Room Floor Hallway:
Alanslegal
Senior Member
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and more....
Luxe King Room:-
City Views:
Luxe King Room:-
City Views:
Alanslegal
Senior Member
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and more shots..........
Bathroom with sliding walls:
The Pool:
Bathroom with sliding walls:
The Pool:
Alanslegal
Senior Member
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- Jun 22, 2007
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and last shots.
Evening Shot with a View:
Fully Equipped Gym:
Evening Shot with a View:
Fully Equipped Gym:
Homer
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Thanks for the thorough review. We're heading down to Melbourne in the next couple of weeks and I have been trying to decide between this place, Crown Towers (one of our "usual" hotels) or The Langham (I get a deal through AMEX but I hear it's a bit tired in places - but then so am I 
). We like that side of the creek.
). We like that side of the creek.Stayed there on Thu/Fri last week.
Pro:
Nice clean rooms (as expected)
Fantastic Swimming pool view
Con:
Very slow checkout. Got to reception at 12:30pm and had to wait 20 mins.
For a 'Gordan Ramsay' restaurant, it had a very ordinary breakfast. $30 for bacon, eggs and toast is really not worth it
Asked for water on the pool/gym level and had to pay for a bottle ($4). Later a saw a jug with glasses on the table. Would've appreciated if they at least offered. Upon mentioning it to reception they did fix it up.
Not much to do at the hotel itself. There's really only the gym/pool, restaurant, and the rooms.
I forgot to advise them of my QFF number, but having a tough time getting the points added, so still a bit miffed about that.
Considering it opened just 3 weeks ago, understandable that there may be some teething problems. Not sure if I'll stay again. I think the QFF thing is the make or break.
Pro:
Nice clean rooms (as expected)
Fantastic Swimming pool view
Con:
Very slow checkout. Got to reception at 12:30pm and had to wait 20 mins.
For a 'Gordan Ramsay' restaurant, it had a very ordinary breakfast. $30 for bacon, eggs and toast is really not worth it
Asked for water on the pool/gym level and had to pay for a bottle ($4). Later a saw a jug with glasses on the table. Would've appreciated if they at least offered. Upon mentioning it to reception they did fix it up.
Not much to do at the hotel itself. There's really only the gym/pool, restaurant, and the rooms.
I forgot to advise them of my QFF number, but having a tough time getting the points added, so still a bit miffed about that.
Considering it opened just 3 weeks ago, understandable that there may be some teething problems. Not sure if I'll stay again. I think the QFF thing is the make or break.
cyncynangel
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looks nice...wondering if they are going to do any sales on it
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Homer
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There are similar comments on Tripadvisor about this hotel restaurant. Ramsay's "Plane Food" at T5 has also received a lot of criticism for being nothing like the restaurant that bears his name back "in town". I think Maze is really just a themed restaurant where the only thing "Ramsay" about it is the name and a portion of the menu and styling. It's a bit like the Joel Robuchon and Thomas Keller restaurants in Vegas - and probably also applies to the Guillaume and Rockpool themed restaurants at Crown - if you go there expecting a mini version of The French Laundry or L'Atelier then you will be disappointed. I know I was.
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Thanks for the pics. I am staying there in a few weeks, and really looking forward to it.
Thought I would share an interesting tidbit ...
I found out about this hotel purely by accident. I was looking for a hotel in Melbourne on wotif.com and this hotel looked interesting and had a great rate. Because I don't usually like booking on wotif (had problems in the past getting money back on a cancelled booking) I decided to look at the hotel website. The reason the rate was so low is that they are having an opening sale.
So I rang the hotel, made enquiries, went to make a booking, but found out the rate was more than wotif. Huh? I asked what the go was and they said wotif had a special deal, better rates. So I booked through wotif. lastminute might be the same.
It is daft ... but might save someone some money.
Good luck.
Geoff
Thought I would share an interesting tidbit ...
I found out about this hotel purely by accident. I was looking for a hotel in Melbourne on wotif.com and this hotel looked interesting and had a great rate. Because I don't usually like booking on wotif (had problems in the past getting money back on a cancelled booking) I decided to look at the hotel website. The reason the rate was so low is that they are having an opening sale.
So I rang the hotel, made enquiries, went to make a booking, but found out the rate was more than wotif. Huh? I asked what the go was and they said wotif had a special deal, better rates. So I booked through wotif. lastminute might be the same.
It is daft ... but might save someone some money.
Good luck.
Geoff
Homer
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mtbsafari said:
I think they've worked out an excuse to avoid price-matching the online accommodation sites, because AFAIK the hotels still manage their own inventories on these sites. In other words, the "special deal" on wotif is the price that the hotel has listed a quantity of rooms for and is not controlled by wotif. It's a bit cheeky, but there's quite a lot of smoke and mirrors in the hotel industry.
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