Enjoy a luxury hotel experience for $50 - without booking a room

Fancy spending some time poolside at a luxury hotel with access to a sauna and drinks from a pool bar?

From now until March 31 you can soak up some Melbourne sun (local weather permitting) at the Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands without even being a hotel guest.

With views of Port Philip Bay and with $12 Aperol Spritzes on offer, the rooftop infinity pool can be accessed by buying a weekday Pool Day Pass.

Sunset House is an urban oasis where you can escape the city hustle and enjoy music, food and those Aperol Spritzes.

'Sunset Hour', running daily from 4pm to 6pm, offers those $12 cocktails.

The weekday Pool Day Pass provides access to the outdoor infinity pool, (always at 28c) and use of a complimentary towel, access to a sauna and the rooftop lounge bar for $50 per person.

Alternatively, bring company with the Pool Day Pass package for two people with a large pizza to share, accompanied by two cocktails for $120.

For more info, or to book, visit marriottmelbournedocklands.com or melbournemarriottdocklands.realtimereservation.com/

Revamp lifts airport hotel to new heights

Staying at an 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 any 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.

The wine list is adequate without frightening the horses.

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

* The writer was a guest of Parkroyal Melbourne Airport 

Hotel day passes a boon for anyone delayed at Melbourne Airport

There is nothing worse than a long layover – or delay – at an airport.

And such inconveniences are becoming increasingly frequent.

Should you find yourself needing a place to relax for a few hours while in transit, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport now offers a convenient day pass.

Guests who buy the day pass can check into a comfortable, refurbished room for a nap, pop on a robe or catch a movie while enjoying the in-room dining service, burn some energy in the gym, cool off in the indoor pool, or chill out in the spa, sauna, or steam room.

Day passes will be available to book online or by calling the hotel directly from January.

A 3-hour pass is $109, a 5-hour pass is $119, and an 8-hour pass is $149.

For those looking for a pre- or post-trip place to lay their head, PARKROYAL Melbourne is the only hotel directly connected to the domestic and international terminals via a pedestrian skybridge.

“There’s nothing like starting your holiday a little early with a relaxing pre-flight stay,” said Cameron Mead, the hotel's general manager.

“By taking an extra day to let go of the hassles of work, school and everyday life, you can get into getaway mode before you get on board, and we cannot wait to share our vibrant, contemporary new accommodation with guests over the forthcoming peak travel period.”

The hotel has 276 guest rooms in various configurations. 

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