Crowne Plaza Melbourne
by the TopOfHotel team
Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a 4-star IHG hotel on the Yarra River where many rooms have direct water views, a 55-inch smart TV and a free minibar — score 8.8.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne is a 4-star IHG hotel on the Yarra River where many rooms have direct water views, a 55-inch smart TV and a free minibar — score 8.8.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Crowne Plaza Melbourne sits right on the Yarra River on Spencer Street, and the river-side rooms earn their keep — pull the curtains and you get a City Cat ferry sliding past and sunlight bouncing off the water. It's an open view that makes the room feel bright and roomy. The hotel runs about 432 rooms and, as an IHG property, holds to international standards with steady, consistent service.
Food and amenities
Every room has a 55-inch smart TV, an espresso machine and a free minibar — and that free minibar is a detail you rarely see at this level. There's the Yugo restaurant serving international food, a bar lounge, a gym and 24-hour room service, so even when you roll back in late you can still order food up to the room without a fuss.
Location and getting there
From the hotel you can walk the riverside path to Crown Casino and DFO South Wharf in about 5 minutes, and reach Southern Cross Station in roughly 8 minutes — handy for catching the SkyBus out to the airport. The hotel also sits inside the free tram zone. Real guests score it around 8.8 across nearly 400 reviews.
Things to know before booking
The catch is the position: it's on the river edge of the CBD, a fair walk from the main Bourke Street Mall shopping strip, so you'll do some walking or hop a tram to get to the core. It's also a large hotel, which means it can get crowded when there's an event or convention running. And both breakfast and parking cost extra on top of the room rate, so factor those in.
Our take
Crowne Plaza Melbourne fits couples and business travelers best — anyone who wants a big-name, internationally run hotel with a river view at a price that still makes sense, from around $123 a night. If you want the certainty of a chain plus a waterside outlook, this one lands it.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star Crowne Plaza (IHG) hotel right on the Yarra River, so you get international chain standards and consistent service.
- Around 432 rooms, many of them looking straight onto the river — open water views that make the rooms feel bright and airy.
- Every room comes with a 55-inch smart TV, an espresso machine and a free minibar, which is rare at this price level.
- On-site you get the Yugo restaurant serving international food, a bar lounge, a gym and 24-hour room service, so you can order food up to the room even after a late night.
- It's about a 5-minute riverside walk to Crown Casino and roughly 8 minutes to Southern Cross Station, with the free tram zone on the doorstep.
- It sits on the river edge of the CBD, a fair walk from the main Bourke Street Mall shopping strip.
- This is a large hotel, so it can get crowded when there's an event or convention on.
- Breakfast and parking cost extra on top of the room rate.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a room on the Yarra River side for the open water view.
- Walk the riverside path straight to Crown Casino and DFO South Wharf in about 5 minutes.
- Make the most of the free in-room minibar before you head out.