Melbourne - Australia 2004 - page 533

Grand Prix and the Ford Australia Open). Hostels in the St. Kilda area tend to
fill up quickly in December and January.
Once considered dead after offices closed for the day, the city center has been
rejuvenated in recent years, and you'll feel right in the heart of the action if you
stay here. Otherwise, the suburbs are all exciting satellites, with good street life,
restaurants, and pubs—just a quick tram ride from the city center. (Transporta-
tion from the airport to the suburbs is a little more expensive and complicated
than to the city center, however.)
If you arrive without booked accommodations, contact either of the travel-
ers' information desks ( & 03/9297 1814 ), located on both floors of the inter-
national terminal and open daily from 6am to the last flight. Or try the Best of
Victoria Booking Service, at new Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation
Square ( & 03/9650 3663 ), open weekdays from 9am to 6pm and weekends
from 9am to 5pm.
IN THE CITY CENTER
VERY EXPENSIVE
Crown Towers One of Melbourne's finest hotels, Crown Towers is part of
the Crown Casino complex, on the banks of the Yarra River. The hotel itself is
grand and impressive. People often gasp as they enter the glittering lobby paved
in black marble. This leads on to an enormous collection of gambling machines
(called “pokies” in Australia), as well as gaming tables. Upstairs in the hotel,
standard guest rooms are cozy. Superior guest rooms occupy floors 5 to 15—
those above the 10th floor have spectacular city views. Deluxe rooms, which run
up to the 28th floor, are similar, but all have great views. The hotel is a 10-minute
walk from the main shopping streets, although trams stop right outside.
Crown Casino offers 24-hour gambling. The 900-seat Showroom features live
entertainment nightly, and a 14-screen cinema complex and three cabaret the-
aters provide additional activities. There are plenty of eateries and designer shops
around here, too.
8 Whiteman St., Southbank, Melbourne 3006. & 1800/811653 in Australia, or 03/9292 6868. Fax 03/9292
6600. www.crownltd.com.au. 500 units. A$720 (US$468) double; A$1150-A$1,250 (US$747-US$812) suite.
Extra person A$55 (US$36). Children under 12 stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$25
(US$16). Amenities: 3 restaurants; Olympic-size indoor pool; health club; concierge; tour desk; car-rental
desk; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; non-
smoking rooms; executive rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer,
iron.
Grand Hyatt Melbourne The Grand Hyatt is a glitzy, glamorous affair,
situated in the best part of town, just a short walk from Swanston Street, Eliza-
beth Street, Chinatown, and public transport. Rooms are large and luxurious,
and come with a nice-size marble bathroom and all those details you'd expect
from a five-star establishment. Prices vary with the view over the city, which can
be almost Hong Kong-like from the top floors. Regency Club guests get free
sushi and drinks in the evening, snacks all day, and a complimentary breakfast.
Monsoon's is a popular late-night disco in the hotel.
123 Collins St., Melbourne, VIC 3000. & 13 12 34 in Australia, 800/233-1234 in the U.S. and Canada, or
03/8843 1300. Fax [phone]. www.melbourne.grand.hyatt.com. 547 units. A$450 (US$292) Hyatt Guest
double; A$570 (US$370) deluxe double; A$600 (US$390) Regency Club double; A$840-A$3,300
(US$546-US$2,145) suite. Extra person A$55 (US$33). Children under 18 stay free in parent's room. Ask
about weekend rates and packages. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking A$4 (US$2.60). Amenities: 2 restaurants; large
indoor pool; 2 outdoor lighted tennis courts; health club; concierge; tour desk; car-rental desk; business
center; 24-hr. room service; in-room massage; babysitting; laundry service; same-day dry cleaning; nonsmok-
ing rooms; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV w/pay movies, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer.