Over the past two years, Shane has spent several nights at the Crown in Melbourne on multiple occasions when he has had to be in Melbourne for work over a couple of days at a time. The Crown Melbourne is a luxury resort featuring 3 hotels, Australia’s largest casino, award-winning restaurants, highend boutique shopping and it’s in the heart of Melbourne on the Yarra River in Southbank.

One of the last times Shane stayed at the crown (I should mention that when he stays there, he has the privilege of staying in one of their luxury villas), Alexis, Reid and I came to Melbourne to join him for one night. We had been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time as it was gifted to us by a very special friend of Shane’s.

We took the train from Geelong to Melbourne and before heading to the Crown, we made a quick stop to the Block Arcade in the city centre to visit Haigh’s Chocolate shop. We picked up some freckles there, which are chocolates covered in sprinkles, as Haigh’s has the best freckles in Australia. After a delicious coffee at a laneway cafe, we headed to the Crown.

When we checked into the Crown, I was asked for ID and told to follow the receptionist to our private elevator! We walked through an unmarked door and were led to an elevator that we were told is the fastest elevator in Australia. It went from ground floor straight to floor 31, with no option to stop on a floor below that. We got off on the 35th floor and opened up to a beautiful corridor with mirrors and gold.

Once in the villa (it is so large, it isn’t referred to as a hotel room), we were blown away by the size of the villa, the luxurious finishes of gold and of course, the spectacular breathtaking view in the living room.

We spent the afternoon playing and enjoying the villa and all it’s amenities. Alexis served me coffee, tea and anything else I wanted while Reid worked on his computer, checking people in.

We quickly learned that the lights turn on when you enter a room and the toilet seat lifts up when you enter the bathroom! It even flushes itself when you are finished! We discovered that the window shades, blinds and lights were controlled by an iPad as well as the television and music.

We made ourselves a bubble bath in the jetted tub with the bubble bath and bath salts that came with it.

As part of staying in one of these luxurious villas, we had access to the Crystal Club where we enjoyed afternoon tea, evening drinks and entres and breakfast in the morning. 

We had a wonderfully comfortable and luxurious stay at the Crown. We have never and may never again stay at such an exclusive and fabulous hotel. It was fantastic and we are so grateful to have had the chance to experience it! I’m not sure how Alexis and Reid will ever be satisfied with a regular hotel room again!