Located on Melbourne’s Southbank and right next to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Pan Pacific Melbourne is ideally located for a hotel stay in the city.
Its modern look is a welcome addition to Melbourne’s skyline. By road, it is easily accessed by the West Gate Freeway, and it is also within walking distance of major city attractions such as Crown Towers Melbourne, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square.
Upon arriving, I simply pulled up right in front of the main entrance to have my bags unloaded for check in. There were many curb-side lots available so there was no real hurry to move my vehicle.
Wood featured prominently within the lobby, and the earthy tones were well complemented by the brown marble floor.
Along the length of one side of the lobby were some artwork on display.
At the centre of the lobby were many sofas for guests to lounge in, or to perhaps wait if they arrived a little early for check in.
However, there was no waiting needed for me as my room was already prepared for my arrival. As a Discovery GHA Black member, I enjoyed an early check in as well as a double upgrade. The front desk also informed me that since I was staying over Christmas and the New Year, that my room would be on a high floor, facing the river and downtown Melbourne, with a view of the fireworks to usher in the new year.
I was also granted access to the Pacific Club Lounge for breakfast and cocktails.
Once I was issued my keys, I headed up to my room to freshen up.
In line with the celebration of wood that was evident in the lobby, the corridors were beautifully cladded in wood panels that lined the entire walkway.
As promised, my room had a lovely view of the river and city.
Since this hotel is relatively new, the rooms exude a modern touch that appear very much orthogonal but softened by the use of diffuse lights.
For the room size, the television could’ve been a little larger, but the viewing angle was otherwise fine.
With the room of this size, it could comfortably accommodate a large work desk by the window.
It’s possible to enjoy a comfortable afternoon read over some tea while enjoying the lovely view of the city in this armchair.
The bed was just at the right level of firmness, and everything from switches and charging ports to reading lights were all within arm’s reach.
The bathroom is accessed via a large sliding door.
The separate bathtub and shower concept is always a major plus for any room.
The WC had a corner all to itself, and the towel rack also meant that I didn’t have to worry about not having enough hanging hooks in the bathroom.
The wardrobe was stocked with a couple of bathrobes, a safe deposit box, an iron and ironing board, and laundry bags.
The minibar was also well stocked with snacks and drinks, but there was no real need for it since I had access to the Pacific Club Lounge.
The Pacific Club Lounge is accessible by eligible guests via the room key, and is open daily. Specific timings for the breakfast and evening service apply.
The lounge occupies a large floor area, hence there are loads of tables and seats available.
The furniture arrangements were pretty varied to cater to different party sizes.
For those that prefer a seat with a view, you’ll love these seats by the windows.
On cloudless days like this, you might also want to enjoy some of the afternoon sun in the outdoor seating area.
There’s even a business centre located within the lounge should you require any processing of documents or even printing services.
During the breakfast service, you’ll find the usual western breakfast spread, pastries, yoghurt and fruit juice.
I was also informed that I could enjoy a more complete breakfast in the restaurant next to the lobby. While the selection was of course better, it can get a little crowded so the Pacific Club Lounge offered a more comfortable setting for breakfast.
During the evening service back in the Pacific Club Lounge, you’ll find sushi and other light bites, and a decent selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The New Year’s Eve spread was a little more substantial than usual, probably to cater to the larger crowd here to celebrate the occasion.
For those who need to workout while on holiday, you’ll be pleased to know that the gym is fully equipped with a wide range of machines and free weights. Even with an international gym membership, I found no need to use any of the gyms outside the hotel.
My stay culminated in an awesome view of the fireworks to usher in the new year. I was completely pleased with everything from check in to check out. Pan Pacific Melbourne really went to extra mile to make my stay a special and comfortable one, which is another reason why I feel truly valued as a Discovery GHA Black member!
