Four Continents and 37,000 Miles in Two Weeks: Park Hyatt Melbourne

Huh, do they check if you paid the $8AUD if you go to the hot buffet?

@ Ralph -- Hah! You actually get a bill after breakfast either way, which you sign for. I forgot the amounts, but I believe it's something like $30 for the continental buffet, and an extra $8 for the full buffet. Then at check-out they deduct the amount for the continental buffet, and you're charged the difference.

If you only had one choice to visit Sydney or Melbourne on your first visit to AUS, what city would you choose?

Also, what would your #1 hotel choice be in Sydney?

tx

@ NikiK -- That's a toughie. I'd have to say if it's your first visit, you'd have to do Sydney. Sydney is much more "iconic," with lots more "must see" places, while Melbourne is just more of a cool city that I find myself actually wanting to live in. I love visiting Sydney, though couldn't imagine ever living there.

I've only stayed at the Crowne Plaza and InterContinental in Sydney, so don't have all that much experience. There's a Park Hyatt, though it's currently being renovated. Once it reopens, it's hands down where I'd want to stay.

I agree with that. For a first visit Sydney makes a bit more sense. Although it would be easy to visit both. Plenty of flights between them and it doesn't take a long time.

I also agree that Melbourne is a place I would love to live much more than Sydney. All of those cool neighborhoods, easy to get around...

Award space on QF388 in F is a lot more open from LAX to MEL than to SYD... so in this case might have to do both cities.

Fantastic trip report - I think you just sold me!

I've been debating between the 2 Melbourne Hyatt's for a 4-night stay using points during the AUS Open in Jan 2012. Great time to use points since the rates are $750/night AUD for the Grand and $450/night AUD for the Park. Had been leaning towards the Grand Hyatt since its only 12k/night instead of 15k (heck was even looking at a suite at the Grand for only 18k), however I think your trip report changed my mind. The Park Hyatt just looks too nice not to try - and the "standard Diamond upgrade" seems plenty large.

With the diamond breakfast in the restaurant and the full lounge service how can this place only be a Cat 4?

Nice review! Breakfast looks great.

What other PH's have lounges?

@ Nybanker -- The others are Hamburg, Canberra, and Baku, as far as I know.

Wow, that looks like a great property! I've been dying to take a trip to Melbourne - would you say that the Park Hyatt MEL is the place to stay? I've been looking at different hotels, and I think I'm set on either the PH or The Langham. This report has me leaning towards staying at the PH....

Decisions, decisions 🙂

Awesome review as always, Lucky!

@ SAB -- Can't comment on the Langham, though I have a hard time imagining it's nicer than the Park Hyatt...

This property is great and treats diamonds well. We got a nice suite using the diamond cert. I stayed last year and at the time, there was no charge for the full breakfast. They must have changed that.

@ Eric -- It is also my understanding that they changed the policy only a few months ago. They're still incredibly generous, so I can't really blame them.

I'm a travel agent in Sydney and was trying to decide between the PH and the Sofitel for a stay in Melbourne. Your great review gave me exactly the info I needed, as I love club lounges and their website doesn't give much detail about theirs. I'll be on an industry rate but even their retail rates are pretty good, considering the PH in Sydney is easily the more expensive hotel in town despite having rooms quite a bit smaller than Melbourne. Thanks.