Review: The Grand Hyatt, Melbourne

A city break is one of the best things about living in the city – so often we get trapped in our daily lives in the suburbs we forget about all the great things a city has to offer. Well Mr Polka and I decided a night away from home was just the ticket for a weekend away and we booked a room at The Grand Hyatt, Melbourne for a little city escape.

My favourite rooms at the Grand Hyatt are their Grand Suites. Located with corner aspects, they have amazing views over the city. The rooms come complete with a separate living room, working desk and kitchenette (and second half bathroom) making them a great choice for entertaining, getting ready on your wedding day or just having a cosy space for your weekend.

Knowing this, we’d booked one of these suites for our city escape, but upon our arrival the hotel had other plans in store for us and we were handed keys to the Ambassador Suite. One of the Grand Hyatt’s crowning jewels, we knew this hotel room might ruin us for any other room for life!

The Ambassador Suite sits on the top floor of the hotel and is the size of a small apartment. An expansive living room opens to a dining room and extensive kitchenette with microwave, kettle and Nespresso machine. A separate door opens to the main bedroom (complete with king size bed, TV and surround sound) as well as a walk in robe and bathroom with spa bath, rainfall shower, double sinks and mood lighting.

The view from this level is second to none – looking over each and every rooftop of the city below. While the bedroom is intimate in size, it’s a nice nook away from the expansive living areas. Complete with black out blinds, we choose to sleep with the blinds open – the sparkling lights of the city a welcome sight against the inky night sky.

The service at the Grand Hyatt is always wonderful – from the moment we are greeted at our car by the smiling valet, to the surprise delivery of sparkling wine and chocolates with a handwritten note to our room.

Located in the heart of the city, my favourite part is how close it is to everything. Mr Polka forgets a shirt (because Murphy’s Law is that he always forgets something!) and is able to get to David Jones and back at 5.40pm before our dinner reservation. Dinner is an easy walk, and returning for nightcap cocktails in on-site Ru-Co Bar, knowing we just need to hop in the lift before we kick off our shoes, is a welcome relief.

As an Ambassador Suite guest, we have access to the Club Lounge where guests can check in and out as well as enjoying a range of facilities. This private area is located on the 31st floor of the hotel and serves up all day snacks and beverages with cocktails and canapés between 6-8pm and hot buffet breakfast from 6am. The hotel’s function areas are complete with two ballrooms and the beautifully designed Residence space, which offers weddings and events with the concept of a private mansion but with the facility of a big hotel.

The Hyatt comes complete with the facilities you know and love at hotels – free Wi-Fi, a state of the art gym, tennis court, basketball court, pool and spa as well as the onsite Restaurant Collins Kitchen and Lobby Lounge for a casual tea or coffee. Unfortunately, we only had time this stay to visit Ru Co Bar and their strawberry daiquiris, white Russians and French martinis, but they are quite the perfect way to end a night in the city.

Images taken by Ms Polka Dot

The Ambassador Suite is so big, one can admit to feeling a little lost amongst it walls. We spent much time planning how we could move in, feeling like it could quite happily fit our books and clothes. It’s the perfect size for getting ready with multiple bridesmaids, photographers, videographers and a hair and makeup team and it’s also a romantic enough space to feel pampered when you arrive from a long day of wedding celebrations, or escape to Melbourne for a closer to home honeymoon.