After playing along with lastminute.com.au’s #Secrethotels competition on Twitter last year, I never thought I’d actually win – but the competition gods must have been smiling down on me, because I scored a one night stay at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne!
The lush Grand Hyatt
My Mum hasn’t been to a nice hotel in 10 years, so choosing who to take with me to enjoy my winnings is super easy.
As soon as we step into the lobby of the Grand Hyatt, the opulence takes our breath away. Lots of marble, soft lighting and just an overall aura of elegance. Check-in is a breeze and we are offered complimentary late checkout – sweet! Giggling like school girls from the excitement, we head up to our room on the 20th floor.
It has a classic, old school charm with a gorgeous view of the Yarra, the CBD and an extremely lavish marble bathroom.
Grand Hyatt Bathroom
Grand Hyatt, view from the room
After relaxing in our room, our next point of call is the huge black and white tiled pool and spa. We also sit and sweat it out in the two different saunas there (because, hey, why test out one when you can review two?).
On the way back up to our room, pretending like I had to double back, I visit reception and enquire about staying another night as a little surprise for Mum (yep, I like it that much.)
Unfortunately the only rooms available were out of my student-budget-limits. Not one to be beaten, and super excited by the idea of another night in a five-star hotel, I book us in at Crown Metropol. While at the front desk though, I do book in another surprise for Mum – buffet breakfast for the next morning – yum!
The rest of our night consists of lots of relaxing: watching a movie while devouring our delicious room service meals.
Grand Hyatt, Room Service
The next morning after the amazing buffet breakfast, we have a quick dip in the pool, which is when I tell Mum about our second night at Crown Metropol – the girls weekend isn’t over yet!
Grand Hyatt, Collins Kitchen
Arriving at Metropol, we immediately notice the modern-luxe décor. I love that in two days we are able to experience two different types of luxury hotels.
The ultra modern exterior
This time we’re on the 10th floor, and have amazing floor to ceiling views of the surrounding city. The room is contemporary and I fall in love with everything about it, from the dusty orange carpet, charcoal décor, to the stunning contemporary bathroom with the huge shower.
The ‘infinity’ pool at Crown is absolutely breathtaking. There are rows of brightly coloured banana lounges and big cream coloured ceiling features.
Pick a lounge, any lounge
The edges of the pool are only centimetres away from huge windows with views of the beautiful city. We end up watching the sunset from in the pool and the adjoining spa. Hello luxury!
Spectacular – yes?
After a hot shower, we snuggle into the charcoal coloured bathrobes that honestly, if I could buy, I would.
And yes, I totally thought about stealing one, it was that amazingly soft and fluffy!
We order room service and settle in with one of our favourite chick flicks (can you see a pattern forming here? 😉 ). With full bellies, we reluctantly head to bed sleep knowing that this is our last night of luxury before heading back into the real world.
If grandeur is your thing, book a couple of nights at Grand Hyatt. If you’re into modern contemporary styling, then Crown Metropol is definitely for you. In saying that however, I absolutely loved both hotels and would recommend you take your loved ones to either for some serious luxury relaxation!
Here are my top five must-haves for a luxury Mum and Daughter Getaway:
1. Room Service (delicious food, no cleaning up – what’s not to love?!)
2. Plenty of soaking in the pool and spa
3. Loads of gossip and giggling
4. Taking a heap of photos so that you basically have a photo diary
5. And finally, no stressing – this is your time to unwind and enjoy your time together.
And a final bit of advice; we all say “I’ll never win” – but someone has to!
Read another cute Mother and child holiday story here.