Allow yourself an extra day on your Melbourne itinerary for a delightfully indulgent experience at luxurious Park Hyatt Melbourne. Situated on Parliament Square, the hotel immerses you in its quiet ambience and opulent Italineate décor straightaway, perfectly contrasting with the buzzing city outside.
9 am: Check Into an Opulent Escape
I have chosen to check in to enjoy one of the 245 classical guest rooms for the day. It’s the perfect base for enjoying a morning to refresh and catch up on some work. I then plan to make the most of DayAway’s Afternoon Indulgence at Park Hyatt Melbourne experience.
My room is spacious and airy, decorated in neutrals and classic furniture with burnished orange accents. It looks out onto St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the emerald green of the Fitzroy Gardens. I sit at an elegant antique table and address emails. I enjoy a quick refresh in the glamorous marble bathroom stocked with plant-based Le Labo body wash, shampoo, conditioner and fragrance in Mandarin. Then, I step out for the ten-minute stroll to Collins Street. An interlude for some shopping follows.
10 am: A Touch of Paris in Collins Street
I arrive at a wide, leafy street in Melbourne lined with the boutiques of international fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Prada and Hermés. It is reminiscent of Paris’s famous boulevards such as the Rue Faubourg St. Honoré. I update my wardrobe with a stunning Objets de Curiosité silk scarf from Hermés and black heels with ribbon detail from Dior. At 11:15 am, I return to the hotel admiring the city’s Victorian and contemporary architecture along the way.
11:20 am: Take a Beauty Break
I change into a swimsuit and leisure wear and head to the Park Club Health and Day Spa. my DayAway Afternoon Indulgence at Park Hyatt Melbourne experience begins. First, I do several laps in the 25-metre swimming pool then relax in the club’s soothing steam room. Finally, I unwind completely whilst enjoying a 60-minute aromatherapy massage.
DayAway Tip: You can also savour DayAway’s Blissful Pampering at Park Hyatt Melbourne. A revitalising half-day spa treat, you can enjoy this with on your own or with a friend. It will leave you polished and glowing. It starts a relaxing steam room or sauna session. Then, you get a sublime foot ritual with Himalayan and Dead Sea salt. After your foot spa, you are whisked into a room for you a relaxing massage and aromatic facial. The spa only uses premium products from British skincare line LINDA MEREDITH or Melbourne-made Aspar beauty essentials with pure extracts of botanical ingredients. The final pampering touch is a hydrating Shea Butter Cocoon wrap. The experience includes a delicious lunch at the Tea Lounge overlooking the hotel’s beautiful outdoor Trilogy Garden.
2:30 pm: Afternoon Tea
I am directed to the Art Deco surrounds of radii restaurant and bar where I am treated to a selection of fragrant teas, freshly baked scones with strawberry, raspberry and blackberry jam and double cream, finger sandwiches, French pastries and a glass of sparkling wine. Afterward, I once more enjoy my elegant room and following confirm a catch-up with my friend Julietta for dinner. At 6:15 p.m. I check-out with the hotel kindly storing my luggage.
6:30 pm: One for the Road at Gimlet
My friend and I head to the corner of Russell and Flinders Lane and soon arrive at Gimlet restaurant by leading Melbourne chef, Andrew McConnell. It’s located on the ground floor of Cavendish House, a stylish, restored 1920’s building. It has the look and mood of a European brasserie with seating in intimate booths, in full view of the open kitchen with a wood-fired oven, and on a semi-circular dining stage overlooking the entire space.
The menu features European flavours realised with quality Australian produce. I order an entrée dish of Calamarata, Spencer Gulf prawn, fennel and salmon roe, all deliciously flavourful. Julietta orders asparagus, celery vinaigrette, hollandaise and bottarga, noting the restaurant’s emphasis on heritage vegetables. To follow, I choose the John Dory, scallop and sauce fumée ,whilst Julietta opts for the roast corn-fed chicken, broad beans, salsa verde and cumquat glaze. We complement our meal with crisp 2020 Grandes Espérences La Java Sauvignon Blanc, from Touraine in the Loire Valley. For a final course, we enjoy cheeses with honeycomb and fruit bread.
After dinner, I fly back home to Sydney having enjoyed an inspiring and uplifting DayAway.
READ ALSO: A Perfect Day In: Park Hyatt Sydney to complete your adventures in Australia
