Travel Treats

One of the key ingredients to a good hotel stay is helpful staff. Travel editor Winsor Dobbin hits the jackpot in Melbourne and Adelaide.

Riverside slumbers   

The Yarra River meanders through the centre of Melbourne but somehow seems underutilised. There are rowing crews training, sure, and the occasional river cruise, but largely it sits underappreciated and underused.

One Melbourne hotel that takes full advantage of its location right alongside the river is the excellent Pan Pacific Melbourne. Not only is the hotel brilliantly located for enjoying the many waterfront bars and eateries at South Wharf, but it also offers expansive river views from most of its rooms.

It is also right on the doorstep of the massive Direct Factory Outlet shopping facility, and the Melbourne Convention Centre. Pan Pacific Melbourne is also just a short stroll along the riverbank from the Crown Casino and Southern Cross Station. Location, location, location.

Even entry level rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, along with en-suite bathrooms with both tubs and walk-in showers.

There is a choice of king-sized bed or twin beds and an executive writing table with ergonomic desk chair. Perfect for those who have work to do while staying. There are bathrobes, slippers and a hairdryer, along with Balmain (Pierre not our inner west suburb) toiletries.

Each room has a large LG LED television with local and cable channels and movies on demand; high-speed wifi, a safe, tea- and coffee-making facilities and a minibar if requested.

There are a range of packages available; perhaps chocolate and bubbles in the room, or an afternoon high tea.

In my opinion is well worth upgrading your room choice, or being a member of Pan Pacific’s Discovery club, to have access to the Pan Pacific Club during your stay.

Check into a Yarra Suite for a seriously decadent getaway: a splendid view of the river, a separate lounge area, club lounge access and lots of little extras.

Access to the fourth-floor Pacific Club offers a full buffet breakfast, and the chance to enjoy tasty canapes with cocktails in the evening, along with access to computers and a printer.

The evening spread is so good it can replace dinner if you don’t want to leave the hotel.

Other Pacific Club benefits include all-day refreshments and pressing or dry cleaning of up to two pieces of clothing per room per night. There is a nice chilled vibe here.

Food and beverage outlets include Dock 37 Bar and KitchenCafé Orr or 24-hour room service.

Did I mention the staff? I found them uniformly excellent; helpful and smiling across the board. 

Pan Pacific Melbourne is at 2 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne. Check out https://www.panpacific.com/

Airport comforts

If you find yourself needing a room at Melbourne Airport, then you only have to cross the road.

Staying at any airport hotel can take a leap of faith. We’ve all likely trekked in the rain while pulling heavy suitcases to a hotel located in a remote part of an airport precinct, or waited a very long time for a “regular” shuttle bus to arrive and then take its sweet time stopping at various locations before dropping you at a hotel that is 5-10km away from the actual airport.

The newly refurbed Parkroyal Airport Melbourne is a glorious exception; located directly opposite the terminals and accessed via covered pedestrian walkways that protect you from Melbourne’s notorious weather.

This is a welcoming hotel, too, with a lively vibe and impressive facilities. The refurb has resulted in a lighter colour palette, more greenery and bedrooms that are very up to date with plenty of easily accessible power points and USB slots so you can make sure all your gear is fully charged before you fly.

Many of the rooms have direct runway views – ask for one if you are keen on watching aircraft take off and land. There are Nespresso machines, too, and a range of TV and movie options. 

On-site amenities, including modern Australian restaurant Airo (more in a moment) , a 24-hour gym, a heated indoor lap pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

The refurbishment, which I’m assured was badly needed, spans all 276 guest rooms, the lobby, restaurant, café, and bar, as well as the hotel’s meeting and events floor – which includes a business centre with computers.

The guest rooms, with a range of family rooms on offer, have been lifted by decorations inspired by Australian lifestyles and nature. The corridors are long, so ask for one near the lifts if you have mobility issues.

The new-look lobby is bright and airy, and reception is manned 24 hours – ideal for late arrivals or for anyone whose evening flight is cancelled.

Airo Restaurant is adjacent to Airo Café and Airo Bar, where several guests were chilling out when I stayed earlier this month.

Great news, too, for anyone whose flight is delayed for several hours: the Parkroyal Melbourne Airport offers the chance to purchase a Day Pass; meaning they can swap hanging around the airport for resting in a guest room, relaxing in the spa, or enjoying a meal at Airo. 

It’s an unsurprisingly popular option for those experiencing flight delays or stop-overs.

There is also the chance for those without lounge access at the airport to use the hotel’s Bar Airo lounge, and stay connected with free wifi, or use leisure facilities including the pool, gym, spa and sauna. Inclusive of showering and changing facilities for just $25.

I’m not usually a huge fan of hotel dining but the staff at Airo were particularly welcoming and all three courses I sampled were impressive: from colourful and tasty Australian baby Bay Lobster with lumpfish caviar, millet, crustacean rouille, radish and lobster oil, to perfectly cook Black Angus Beef eye fillet with Otway Dutch Cream pommes puree, baby broccolini, cipollini onion, red wine jus. Dessert was Madagascar vanilla panna cotta with Tasmanian Elderberry essence, sparkling pressed pineapple, pistachio.

There is a 24-hour room service on offer should you arrive at some ungodly hour.    

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay – and loved the convenience of this Pan Pacific property.

Guests who book before August 15 can take advantage of savings of up to 25% on flexible rates for stays until December 30.

Full details here: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-melbourne-airport.html

High in the Sky

I’m not sure who designed the upmarket Eos by Sky City hotel in Adelaide. 

But they had some seriously weird ideas. Even local taxi drivers have no clue as how to get guests to the reception desk.  It turns out you need to take a small side road and drive through an underground car park, then make a sharp turn, to get to where you want to be.

Which is odd because the hotel is part of the central casino precinct just back from North Terrace. When you do get to check in – and can get your fiddly “disc” key to work in the lifts – there is a pretty good experience ahead. 

The rooms are modern and well-equipped, breakfast (below) in ITL restaurant is excellent, the staff are uniformly helpful, and you can charge meals in any of the casino eateries back to your room. 

I can recommend Madame Hanoi for tasty modern Vietnamese dishes. 

The hotel’s marketing blurb is confident; some would say cocky. It sounds like it was written by a slightly demented A1 bot. 

“Welcome to a new realm of luxury. Where a love for the unexpected meets deep local knowledge. Where subtle gestures underpin indulgent experiences. With us, your every need is considered, and your every desire answered. Step beyond the everyday and allow us to illuminate the possibilities.

“Always personalised, Eos by SkyCity encompasses the finest in modern hospitality. From signature restaurants and entertainment to opulent suites and spa experiences, we’re for the pleasure-seekers. This is a precise alchemy designed with you at the centre. Step in or step out: each distinct delight is delivered with a deft touch.”

Stop it!

The entry level rooms are spacious and quiet with free wifi, an in-room tablet (that didn’t work), a mini bar with complimentary snacks, free water, hairdryer and straightener, HD TV, luxury bathroom amenities and free movies.

There is a year-round outdoor pool, fitness centre, sauna and terrace and 24-hour front desk and room service.

My one serious complaint: the wifi is dreadful. It must have dropped out a dozen times over 48 hours, each time demanding that I logged back in. Very annoying. 

Niggles aside, this is a very nice place to stay. 

See https://skycityadelaide.com.au/hotel/eos-by-skycity/

Next month: Japan travel special

You can see more of Winsor’s travel tips at www.gourmetontheroad.com.