Since 1997 the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex has been a major landmark on Melbourne’s Southbank. The complex lies just over the Yarra River from the city’s Central Business District (or CBD), which also contains many of the town’s historic and cultural sights. The Crown Complex has three hotels: the Crown Towers and the Crown Metropol (both five stars), and the 4.5 star Crown Promenade. This short Crown Towers Melbourne accommodation article reviews the facilities laid on for guests at the first named hotel, and also surveys some of Melbourne’s other attractions.
Melbourne has a population of about four million, and is the largest city and state capital of Victoria, and second largest city and one time capital of Australia. Many of the city’s inhabitants were born outside Australia, which gives a vibrant, multi-cultural feel to modern Melbourne. The town is famous for cultural festivals, such as in the arts and in music, for its passionate support for sports events, and for an exciting, varied and international food culture.
The city is mostly situated in an arc around the eastern and northern coastlines of Port Philip Bay (The Bay). The Yarra River flows into the bay, and the original colonial settlement (Bearbrass) was founded at the river mouth in 1835. Bearbrass was soon renamed Melbourne, and became a major city in the 1850s when gold was discovered in the state.
Just north of the Yarra river is the Central Business District (or CBD). Until the 1990s this faced across to a run down, industrial zone, called Southbank. Since then Southbank has undergone successful urban renewal, and is now an attractive and lively area, with cafes, restaurants and shopping, and also the very large Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex.
The Crown Complex in Southbank was opened in 1997, and was a major factor in the areas regeneration. Crown Promenade (part of the larger Southbank Promenade) faces onto the Yarra River. Across the river can be seen the city centre of Melbourne. The largest business operating in the complex is the Crown Casino, which is the largest casino south of the equator. (350 gaming tables, 2500 poker machines)
There is more to the complex than just the casino: there is also the Village cinema complex, and many shops, bars, clubs and food outlets. Several big designer names operate stores here: Prada, Versace, Louis Vuitton to name but three.
The Crown Towers is one of three hotel towers forming part of the complex. Crown Towers (five stars) has 482 luxurious guest rooms and suites located over 43 floors. The rooms here have views over the city centre, the Yarra River and Port Philip Bay. All the rooms in this landmark hotel are tastefully decorated with original artworks, and they are also equipped with the latest technology including large plasma flat screen TV, with laptop, DVD, MP3 and iPod connectivity.
Melbourne is noted for its cosmopolitan and international cuisine, and the many restaurants in Crown Towers, and elsewhere in the complex, offer a wide choice of Australian and international cuisine. Diners at Crown Complex can choose from classic French restaurants, to modern Australian, to Asian and many other cuisines.
John Theil is considered to be the average young Australian man and has matured with almost everything that is iconically Melbourne. He is an acknowledged contributor on many online forums and is self employed from his Melbourne Accommodation preparing reports for a wide variety of publishers.