This article first appeared in the WSOP 2012 special issue of World Gaming magazine.
The award-winning hotels at Crown are world-class so one of the toughest decisions you will have to make for your visit to Melbourne is where to stay. Fortunately you are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options at Crown.
Crown Towers
Crown Towers is one of Australia’s most sought after hotels and there is hardly an A-list celebrity or sportsperson who hasn’t stayed at this incredible venue. Located on the banks of the Yarra River this 6-star luxury hotel boasts stunning views overlooking the city center, the parklands of Kings Domain, Port Phillip Bay and the revitalized Melbourne Docklands.
The 39-story elliptical tower contains 482 guestrooms, including 81 suites and 30 villas, and offers guests incredible service and unparalleled opulence. Located on the uppermost floors of the hotel the palatial villas are the epitome of world-class accommodation. Each has the character of a penthouse residence and is attended by Australia’s largest contingent of butlers, who are on call 24-hours a day. Even the most demanding traveller will find their every wish taken care of. High rollers can opt for the largest villa in the Southern Hemisphere, which spans an entire floor.
Rooms come complete with marble bathrooms and immaculate fittings and the impeccable attention to detail will leave you feeling like you have stayed at one of the world’s best establishments, which indeed you have.
WGM’s The Panda has stayed here on several occasions and is a big fan: “The one thing I love about Crown Towers is no request has ever been too much trouble. A few years ago I organized a helicopter pickup for one of my friends. Obviously this is not normal behavior, but I have never had a request that the attentive staff have found too hard, or for that matter too small, to quickly attend to.”
Situated right in the heart of all the action Melbourne has to offer, this is the place to stay if you want to treat yourself to some serious pampering. You are going to have to show some decorum however, as you never know which megastar you may bump into in the elevators. For bookings and more information visit www.crowntowers.com.au.
Crown Metropol
Crown Metropol is the latest addition to Crown’s hotel offerings, and represents yet more 5-star luxury. Housing 658 rooms across 28 floors, Metropol’s top floor boasts a sky-high bar, lounge and outdoor terrace and is also the hotel’s private club-like retreat accessible only to hotel guests. Level 27 houses Australia’s first residential day spa, Isika, which offers guests an unparalleled level of luxury.
Crown Metropol was named in the list of Top Ten Hotels to visit in the Luxury Travel and Style Gold List for 2011 and was nominated in the Top Ten Large Luxury Hotels category in the 2011 Australian Gourmet Traveller Travel Awards.
Metropol is connected to the rest of the Crown Entertainment Complex by an air-bridge passing over Whiteman Street. Crown Metropol unfairly suffers from standing in the shadows of Crown Towers, but if this were a stand-alone hotel it would be universally acknowledged as one of the very best on offer. 
Crown Metropol won the Luxury Accommodation award at the 2011 Victorian Tourism Awards. It is wonderfully fitted out, fantastically run, and guests enjoy practically everything their counterparts staying at Crown Towers enjoy apart from the proximity to the gaming floor.
Anyone who has stayed at the mega resorts in Vegas has experienced lengthy walks from their hotel room to the gaming floor action. At Crown you will be amazed at how easily and quickly you can get from your room to the felt. For more information and to book visit www.crownmetropolmelbourne.com.au.
Crown promenade
Offering 465 rooms over 23 floors, including 18 studios and 3 suites, Crown Promenade’s spacious guestrooms provide panoramic views of the city, Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay.
Crown Promenade is located on the block behind Crown Towers, and while it is not as luxurious as its 6-star older sister it offers modern, stylish rooms. Add in the state-of-the-art leisure facilities including an indoor 25-meter infinity pool, two outdoor deck areas, steam rooms and a gymnasium and you can see why it is such an attractive option. Crown Promenade also features a purpose-built conference center, the 280-seat Mesh restaurant and the 80-seat Tonic Bar.
This is one of Melbourne’s finest hotels and is almost constantly booked out. Access to the main gaming floor from Crown Promenade is over an air bridge.
Crown Promenade is wonderfully decked out in a modern style and caters fantastically to those travelling with a friend looking for the twin option. With a pumping bar downstairs this is the property that has historically hosted the Aussie Millions closing party, which is an event you won’t want to miss! For more information and booking visit www.crownpromenademelbourne.com.au.
For those travelling on a tight budget there are some cheaper options available off site, but in our opinion you should get in quick and get a room at Crown – because once you factor in the cost of taxis and the convenience of staying where you play the best option is clearly to stay at one of the three magnificent Crown hotels.
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