Crown Melbourne is more than just a casino — it's practically a city within a city. With three hotels, multiple casino levels, dozens of restaurants, a cinema, bowling, and even an arcade, there's something for everyone. Whether you're visiting for the luxury, the entertainment, or just a fun night out, Crown has you covered. We've stayed across all three towers over the years, so here's our honest breakdown of what to expect from each.
Getting There
Crown Melbourne sits on the Yarra River in Southbank, an easy 15–20 minute walk from Flinders Street Station, or a quick ride on the free City Circle tram if you'd rather save your legs. Valet and self-parking are both available on site — more on making that cheaper below.
The Three Hotels: Which One Should You Pick?
Crown Promenade — The Budget-Friendly Pick
Promenade is usually the lowest cost option, mainly because it sits on the lower levels and its pool is the busiest of the three. Despite that, we actually prefer the rooms here. They're comfortable, spacious, and a nice retreat after a day exploring the complex. Rooms here typically start from around AUD 250–300 a night, depending on the season, making it the most wallet-friendly of the three towers without sacrificing much comfort.
Crown Metropol — The Pool Lover's Choice
Metropol is famous for its amazing rooftop-style pool that overlooks the city skyline, plus the immersive spas in the changing areas. It's perfect if you want that high-end pool experience without paying Towers-level prices, generally sitting around AUD 300–380 a night. The only drawback? The rooms have glass around the shower and toilet, with just frosted privacy. Not exactly the most romantic setup if you're hoping for a bit of privacy while showering — or, well, other bathroom activities. Worth knowing before you book if that's a dealbreaker for you.
Crown Towers — The Premium Splurge
Towers is the premium option, featuring beautiful, modern rooms and rates that usually start from around AUD 400–500+ a night. The pool is large, but it can feel stuffy and noisy during busy periods — an indoor pool is amazing given Melbourne's unpredictable weather, but a bit more airflow would be nicer. That said, if you want the newest and most luxurious accommodation on offer, this is the place to stay. The famous Crown Towers mattresses alone are worth booking a night here just to try.
The Casino Floor
Crown's casino spans multiple levels with everything from table games to slots and VIP areas. Even if you're not a gambler, it's fascinating to walk through and take in the atmosphere — the lights, the sounds, the constant hum of activity.
Do we gamble? Not really, if we're honest. But we don't mind risking our $10 in the pokies now and then. On our last visit, Crown had brought in strict new regulations requiring a Crown ID card to load money onto before you can play. It's a great idea for anyone with gambling concerns, but we found the sign-up process genuinely confusing — and in the end, we just kept our $10 in our pocket instead.
Dining & Entertainment: You Could Stay All Day
Crown offers dozens of dining options, ranging from fine dining restaurants to casual food court fare. There's also a cinema, a bowling alley, and an arcade area, making it a genuinely fun destination for families or groups with varied interests. You could easily spend a full day here without ever leaving the property.
Our favourites are the beautiful Thai restaurant and the French place right next door to it — both are worth booking ahead for on weekends. For quicker food, there are two food courts to choose from. One is your typical fast-food chain setup, like McDonald's, which you'll find on Level 1 near the shops. The other food court is our preference, with fresher options and a great range of Asian meals — noodle bowls, dumplings, and rice dishes that go well beyond your average food court fare.
Top Tips for Your Stay
- Sign up for Crown Rewards (Crown Membership) before you arrive — it's free, and it unlocks deals on hotel packages, dining discounts, and the occasional room upgrade.
- Mention special occasions. Always let staff know if it's your anniversary or birthday — you might get a complimentary bottle of wine or a small room upgrade.
- Free parking hack: stand in line at the casino for a rewards card, and putting just $5 in the pokies will validate your parking for free in Melbourne's CBD, which can genuinely save you a small fortune compared to standard Southbank parking rates.
- Take advantage of hotel packages — they often bundle in meals, spa credits, or entertainment tickets for less than booking everything separately.
- Always ask for loyalty points at every restaurant you visit. If you forget on the night, it's worth going back with your receipt afterwards and asking for them to be manually applied. Points can be exchanged for all sorts of benefits, from free stays to dining credits.
- Book ahead for popular restaurants, especially on Friday and Saturday nights — the Thai and French restaurants we mentioned above fill up quickly.
Which Tower Would We Pick Again?
Honestly, it depends on the trip. For a relaxed weekend, we'd happily book Promenade again. For a milestone celebration, Towers is worth the splurge at least once. If you don't mind sharing frosted glass, Metropol's pool alone makes it a great middle-ground option. If you're planning a broader Melbourne stay, have a read of our review of the W Hotel Melbourne too — a completely different vibe but just as worth considering.
Our Tip Summary
- Choose Promenade for value, Metropol for the pool, Towers for pure luxury
- Sign up for Crown Rewards before you arrive — it's free and pays off fast
- Spend $5 on the pokies to validate free CBD parking
- Always ask for your loyalty points, and chase them up with a receipt if you forget
- Book the Thai and French restaurants ahead, especially on weekends
Have you stayed at Crown Melbourne? Let us know which tower was your favourite in the comments — we're always curious whether other travellers agree with our pick!
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