{"id":31977,"date":"2014-03-03T16:30:37","date_gmt":"2014-03-03T06:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=31977"},"modified":"2021-07-13T12:47:38","modified_gmt":"2021-07-13T02:47:38","slug":"winners-are-grinners-in-melbourne","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/winners-are-grinners-in-melbourne\/","title":{"rendered":"Winners are grinners in Melbourne"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote>\n<div class=\"pinkLinks\">After playing along with lastminute.com.au\u2019s #Secrethotels competition on <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/lastminute_au?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Twitter <\/a>last year, I never thought I\u2019d actually win \u2013 but the competition gods must have been smiling down on me, because I scored a one night stay at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/grand-hyatt-melbourne\/W2150?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Grand Hyatt in Melbourne!<\/a><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"pinkLinks\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"pinkLinks\">\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_31984\" style=\"width: 489px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Grand-Hyatt-e1393371903329.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31984\" class=\"wp-image-31984 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Grand-Hyatt-e1393371903329.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"479\" height=\"700\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-31984\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The lush Grand Hyatt<\/p><\/div>\n<p>My Mum hasn\u2019t been to a nice hotel in 10 years, so choosing who to take with me to enjoy my winnings is super easy.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u2013 sweet! Giggling like school girls from the excitement, we head up to our room on the 20th floor.<br \/>\nIt has a classic, old school charm with a gorgeous view of the Yarra, the CBD and an extremely lavish marble bathroom.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32135\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-Bathroom-x-21-e1393824794108.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32135\" class=\"wp-image-32135 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-Bathroom-x-21-e1393824794108.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Hyatt Bathroom\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-32135\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Hyatt Bathroom<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"attachment_32137\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-view-from-the-room-21-e1393825025564.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32137\" class=\"wp-image-32137 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-view-from-the-room-21-e1393825025564.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Hyatt view from the room\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-32137\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Hyatt, view from the room<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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?).<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0803.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32019 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0803-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0806.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-32018 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0806-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a>\n<p>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.)<\/p>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/crown-metropol-melbourne\/W73565?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Crown Metropol.<\/a> While at the front desk though, I do book in another surprise for Mum \u2013 buffet breakfast for the next morning \u2013 yum!<\/p>\n<p>The rest of our night consists of <em>lots <\/em>of relaxing: watching a movie while devouring our delicious room service meals.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32141\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Hyatt-Room-service1-e1393825231759.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32141\" class=\"wp-image-32141 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Hyatt-Room-service1-e1393825231759.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Hyatt, Room Service\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-32141\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Hyatt, Room Service<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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 \u2013 the girls weekend isn\u2019t over yet!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32139\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-Collins-Kitchen1-e1393825128385.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32139\" class=\"wp-image-32139 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Grand-Hyatt-Collins-Kitchen1-e1393825128385.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Hyatt, Collins Kitchen\" width=\"500\" height=\"316\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-32139\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Grand Hyatt, Collins Kitchen<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Arriving at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/crown-metropol-melbourne\/W73565?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Metropol,<\/a> we immediately notice the modern-luxe d\u00e9cor. I love that in two days we are able to experience two different types of luxury hotels.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_31993\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31993\" class=\"wp-image-31993 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-31993\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The ultra modern exterior<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This time we\u2019re 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 d\u00e9cor, to the stunning contemporary bathroom with the huge shower.<\/p>\n<p>The \u2018infinity\u2019 pool at Crown is absolutely breathtaking. There are rows of brightly coloured banana lounges and big cream coloured ceiling features.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_32009\" style=\"width: 970px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0854.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-32009\" class=\"wp-image-32009 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/DSCN0854-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-32009\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pick a lounge, any lounge<\/p><\/div>\n<p>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!<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol-infinity-pool-2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-31995 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol-infinity-pool-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a>\n<div id=\"attachment_31991\" style=\"width: 970px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol-infinity-pool.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31991\" class=\"wp-image-31991 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/images\/last-minute\/blog\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Crown-Metropol-infinity-pool-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\" \" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-31991\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spectacular &#8211; yes?<\/p><\/div>\n<p>After a hot shower, we snuggle into the charcoal coloured bathrobes that honestly, if I could buy, I would.<\/p>\n<p>And yes, I totally thought about stealing one, it was that amazingly soft and fluffy!<\/p>\n<p>We order room service and settle in with one of our favourite chick flicks (can you see a pattern forming here? \ud83d\ude09 ). 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.<\/p>\n<p>If grandeur is your thing, book a couple of nights at Grand Hyatt. If you\u2019re 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!<\/p>\n<p>Here are my top five must-haves for a luxury Mum and Daughter Getaway:<\/p>\n<p>1. Room Service (delicious food, no cleaning up \u2013 what\u2019s not to love?!)<br \/>\n2. Plenty of soaking in the pool and spa<br \/>\n3. Loads of gossip and giggling<br \/>\n4. Taking a heap of photos so that you basically have a photo diary<br \/>\n5. And finally, no stressing \u2013 this is your time to unwind and enjoy your time together.<\/p>\n<p>And a final bit of advice; we all say \u201cI\u2019ll never win\u201d \u2013 but someone has to!<\/p>\n<p>Read another cute Mother and child <a href=\"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/hotel-review-hyatt-regency-perth\/?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">holiday story here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong><em><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Have you ever taken your mum on a weekend away? Tell us about it in the comments.<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"pageLinks\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/grand-hyatt-melbourne\/W2150?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Book a stay at the Grand Hyatt <\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"pageLinks\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/crown-metropol-melbourne\/W73565?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Book a stay at the Crown Metropol<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"pageLinks\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/accommodation\/australia\/melbourne?cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Hotels in Melbourne<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"pageLinks\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/domestic-flights\/cheap-airfares-to-melbourne??cid=social=blog:lmau:retail::SM15:\">Flights to Melbourne<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After playing along with lastminute.com.au\u2019s #Secrethotels competition on Twitter last year, I never thought I\u2019d actually win \u2013 but the..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":190,"featured_media":38669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[116,94,9],"tags":[710,3104,607,4142,3114,78,4143,42,4144,4145,4146,4147,98],"acf":{"credits":[{"name":"","label":"","full_url":""}],"enable_review_score":false,"api_active":false,"api_title":"","api_exerpt":"","api_featured_image":false,"api_lob":""},"posts_api_cpm_point":[{"name":"","description":"","email":"","thumbnail":"","address":"Melbourne VIC, Australia","latitude":"-37.8136276","longitude":"144.96305759999996","icon":"\/images\/icons\/marker.png"}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31977"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/190"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31977"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45782,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31977\/revisions\/45782"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}