The hype
Travelers love the refurbished rooms and the breakfast buffet at Ottie's, but the elevators can be slow during peak checkout times.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne
$150-250/ night
Book this if You're in town for a convention or the footy and want reliable upscale comfort without the Crown Casino price tag.
Why People Love It
- Direct access to the Melbourne Convention Centre via a short walk
- Heated rooftop pool that stays warm even in Melbourne's fickle weather
- River view rooms offer floor-to-ceiling panoramas of the Yarra
Quick Take: A solid, recently renovated corporate workhorse that delivers on comfort but charges a ransom for valet parking.
Reviewed by @marwin_says: I stayed in Room 703 and honestly, it's the best travel hack I've found. The river view is incredible, and having a front-row seat to the city without dealing with people was exactly what I needed.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
While the river views are stunning, the 'City View' rooms suffer from train noise due to the proximity of Southern Cross Station.
- You are attending an event at MCEC (Convention Centre)
- You want a heated outdoor pool open year-round
- You appreciate a high-quality hotel breakfast buffet
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable; rooms are generally dust-free following the recent renovation.
- Bathroom hygiene: Modern tiled bathrooms are clean; grout is well-maintained. Water pressure is good.
- Maintenance: Refurbished rooms feel fresh. Elevators can be slow/glitchy occasionally.
- Linens & towels: Crisp white linens, standard IHG quality. No major complaints of staining.
- Odors & scents: Generally fresh, though one isolated report of a 'musty' smell in a specific room.
Sleepability™
7.5SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Trains screeching at Southern Cross Station (City/Casino side)
- Highway traffic noise on lower floors
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel is a short walk across the bridge to the DFO South Wharf outlet shopping.
- There is a credit card surcharge of roughly 1.9%.
- The 'Dive Bar' is a hotel bar with a pool table, not an actual dive bar.
What to pack
- Swimsuit for the heated outdoor pool (open year-round)
- Earplugs if you end up in a City View room
- Walking shoes — the walk to the CBD is slightly longer than it looks on a map
Room Genie
Best picks
- River View King (High Floor) — worth the upgrade for the view and silence
- Premium River View — guarantees the best vantage point of the Yarra
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Room City View — often looks at a concrete wall or train tracks
- Low floor rooms near the elevators (noise bleed)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a room on a high floor (Level 8+) facing the Yarra River. Please avoid the 'City View' or 'Casino View' side to minimize train noise from the nearby station.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool heated?
Yes, the rooftop pool is heated year-round and open 6am-9pm.
How much is parking?
Valet is ~$80 AUD/day. Self-parking is off-site (nearby public lot) for ~$45 AUD/day.
Is it close to the Convention Centre?
Yes, it's directly across the river; about a 5-minute walk via the Seafarers Bridge.
Can I hear the trains?
In 'City View' rooms, yes. The hotel is next to the Southern Cross rail viaduct. Request a River View.
Is breakfast included?
Not usually in the base rate. The buffet at Ottie's costs approx $40-42 AUD per person.
What is the check-in time?
Check-in is 3:00 PM; Check-out is 11:00 AM.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Casino View' is a misnomer; it mostly views the railway. Always pick River View.
- ✨
There is a tram stop (Stop 124) right out front, but it's just *outside* the Free Tram Zone (which ends at Flinders St/Southern Cross).
- ✨
Join IHG One Rewards before booking to potentially get free late checkout (subject to availability).
5 things to know before you go
💡The building is cylindrical, meaning some rooms have a slight 'pie-slice' shape.
💡The 'Dive Bar' has a jukebox and neon lights but charges hotel prices for cocktails.
💡You can walk to the 'Higher Ground' cafe (an old power station) in 10 minutes for a world-class brunch.
💡The wind on the pool deck can be fierce because it's exposed to the river corridor.
💡The 'Standard' rooms are compact (approx 26 sqm) compared to older Melbourne hotels.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Crowne Plaza Melbourne is located and what's nearby.