I’ve had the good fortune to visit a lot of countries (thank you, parents).
And objectively, the worst part is travelling and the airport.
Every time I’ve gone, I’ve always seen the big hotel near the Melbourne Airport. But when I was a child, I thought it was something only big businessmen and chief executives got to go in.
Don’t worry younger me, you’ll get there one day.
In fact, I did recently. I was a guest at the Park Royal hotel for one night before a study trip to Sydney. I took a Sky Bus from the city and everything.
And I have some thoughts.
I became the businessman I had always envisaged, staying in the spa suite, which can set you back over $585 a night.
For comparison, a standard room costs $315.
I loved my room. It had a runway view, a king-size bed, a bath — and did I mention the view?
I sat there for far too long just looking at the airport.
I also want to give a shout-out to the staff. From the front reception to the room service to the café staff and everyone else I interacted with, they were all incredibly kind and super helpful.
I stayed on a Wednesday night and for anyone concerned, I really didn’t notice the noise — it was surprisingly quiet.
The food was incredible. I had a salmon fillet for dinner and panna cotta for dessert, and it was mouth-watering. I was obsessed.
The next day I had a buffet-style breakfast, and I enjoyed croissants, Danishes, yoghurt and chia seed pudding, as well as a few coffees.
I took a tour of the place the next day and learnt some interesting facts. Here are my two favourites.
- All of the standard, superior and deluxe rooms have the same layout and features (apart from those on the ground floor). They just have different names, and price tags, depending on their floor — deluxe having the best views.
- For anyone who doesn’t want to stay overnight but would like to use the gym, pool, spa and sauna, you can pay $25 for three hours of use.
I must also say that it was incredibly convenient.
I worked in the café until I needed to catch my flight, then walked over a bridge that connects the car park and the airport and hopped on my plane.
I would say it’s worth it for an early flight. If you’ve got a 6am or 7am flight and have the funds to splash out on a nice hotel room, go for it.
But I will 100 per cent be taking up the gym, pool and spa package the next time I need to fly.
Thank you, Park Royal, see you soon.
Djembe Archibald stayed as a guest of the Park Royal.