Earlier this year, I went on a multi-week adventure beginning in Wellington, New Zealand, before heading to the South Island, hopping over to Melbourne, Australia and driving to Adelaide, spending some time in Cairns at the Great Barrier Reef, and then ending in Hong Kong. While in Melbourne, I had the opportunity to stay at the Park Hyatt Melbourne on a cash and points stay.

As a category 5 location in Hyatt’s Gold Passport program, I was able to stay at the Park Hyatt Melbourne for just 10,000 points + $125 USD per night, which saved several hundred dollars over the cash rate for the same dates. I was unable to apply a suite upgrade to the stay, but expected my Diamond status with Hyatt would result in a nice upgrade as compared to a base room, anyway.

It’s been said by others who have reviewed this hotel, but the Park Hyatt Melbourne is very unique for the Park Hyatt brand, sharing many attributes more closely with Grand Hyatts elsewhere in the world. The main reason this location seems to be branded as a Park Hyatt is because a Grand Hyatt is already located less than two miles away, and this is the nicer property.

Typically, Park Hyatts tend to focus on understated luxury, which is certainly not the intent of the Park Hyatt Melbourne. Its gorgeous, giant lobby overlooks a large area below adjacent to the hotel’s restaurant that is often used for hosting business breakfasts and informal meetings.

Check-in went smoothly, and we were upgraded to a club room on the club level free of charge. Here again was a break from the norm: Park Hyatts only rarely have clubs at all, but the one here was very large, and offered breakfast, mid-day snacks and an extensive array of canapés in the evenings. Though I was remiss in grabbing pictures of the buffet in the club, the options were extensive enough that we were able to avoid dinner outright on one of our nights in Melbourne, saving a nice chunk of change while enjoying excellent food and drinks. Further, the made to order omelettes and yummy, if a bit limited, buffet offered at the restaurant in the mornings meant we really only paid for lunch out elsewhere while in Melbourne.

Walking into the room, this hotel’s status as a Park Hyatt became much more evident: rich, wood paneling and modern design could be enjoyed throughout the main bedroom area.

An entertainment center held in its drawers both a cold mini-bar as well as a snack drawer and variety of mini-bottles.

The bathroom was gorgeous, offering a bathtub that, thanks to clever use of glass panels as blinds, let the light in from the nearby window while retaining privacy. A TV hanging over the tub was nice for catching up on news in the mornings.

The amenity spread was also fantastic, far above what would be standard at Hyatt Regency or Grand Hyatt locations.

The closet space was massive, connecting back into the main room from the other side, and had no problem containing our large amount of luggage while leaving plenty of room to get dressed.

The view out our window was pleasing, with St. Patrick’s Cathedral in clear view. At sunset, the view was particularly remarkable

The Park Hyatt offered an indoor, long lap pool, with seating all along one side, as well as a sauna, steam room, exercise facilities, a full spa, and an outside porch for those wishing to rest in the sun.

Also, the name of this hotel was particularly appropriate given its location adjacent to Fitzroy Gardens, which houses delightful walking paths flanked on each side by trees.

Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to return to the Park Hyatt Melbourne. As a Category 5 property well-located in a gorgeous, metropolitan city, 10,000 points + $125 per night is a steal, especially considering the included breakfast for Diamond members and the evening canapés available to all with club access. Between its location and sense of luxury, the Park Hyatt Melbourne is certainly one of the city’s gems.