Crown Towers Melbourne

Hotel check: Crown Metropol, Melbourne

WELCOME: 8/10

The Metropol’s entrance is tucked away discretely. As such, taxi drivers like the one I had enlisted are liable to miss it. But once inside, the cleverly designed and vast lobby lets you know you’re part of something big. Check in was flawless.

ACCOMMODATION: 7/10

My room was all neutral tones, beiges and browns set against charcoal furniture. Despite the newness of the hotel, the air conditioning controls seemed clunky and there was no all-off light switch. The mod cons included an iPod clock radio and a (slow) television system. It was a shame my view was over the vast Crown Casino carpark.

FACILITIES: 8/10

Far less grand than the Towers, the Metropol nonetheless has all the usual business traveller facilities. The in-house cafe is Gordon Ramsay’s Maze restaurant, whose muffins and pastries are well worth skipping a full breakfast for. But the 28 Bar and Lounge on the executive floor is a wonderful start to the day for those on higher room tariffs. The infinity pool at the Isika Spa has to be seen to be believed.

SERVICE: 7/10

Service points are fewer than at the Towers, but equal to those at the Promenade. While perfunctory, the service standard was far from mind blowing, not least in the swanky 28 eatery. Three wait staff combined to delay my breakfast order for poached eggs with black pudding for an interminably long time.

AMBIENCE: 8/10

With the luxury Crown Towers aimed at the wealthy Asian market and the deluxe four-star Crown Promenade pitched at domestic weekenders, Metropol, by contrast, is a funky five-star property with a more contemporary feel.

OVERALL: 76%

Crown Metropol is the missing link needed at Crown. An unashamedly upmarket hotel with aspiration to be perhaps cooler than a giant hotel can really be.

An overnight stay at the Crown Metropol starts from $300 for Studio accommodation and from $505 for Loft accommodation. For more information, visit www.crownmelbourne.com.