This stay was just in time as the first RC to make use of my Club Upgrade certificate and it was indeed a free upgrade as compared to prices I would otherwise have to pay without it. Time to check off this one while waiting for the Sydney one to be completed. YAY.

Address – 650 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000. Website.

Contact – Tel: +61 3 9122 2888. Email: serviceexperience.melbourne@ritzcarlton.com.

Location – not exactly in the city centre but still in the CBD, near enough to everything as Melbourne is a very walkable city. The property has easy access to the main train station and the Spencer’s Outlet right across the road for shopping, and an easy 15-20mins nice walk to the bustling area of Flinders, Lonsdale, Bourke, and Collins Streets.

Price – AUD618 per night booked directly with the Ritz Carlton Reservations team which the Ritz Carlton card books into using hteir Club Upgrade Certificate. An awesome deal in my opinion!

Getting there – the lazy me took an Uber from Melbourne Airport of course and it cost AUD60 for the 30mins ride.

Arrival – the car pulled up to this gorgeous stunning building and I was immediately assisted with and directed to proceed to level 80 for check in. At this RC, even the arrival area is super nice!

The street level is the arrival lobby, with the main reception and check-in area on level 80th floor – then guest rooms are level 68-78. This means a change of elevators is required but its also an added layer of security for in-house guests which I appreciated.

Check In – level 80 was similarly gorgeous and when noted that my reservation was for a club room, I was escorted to the Club to proceed with the check in formalities – always loved this extra touch!

At the Club, it was a seated check in experience accompanied by offer of drinks and soon enough, I had my keys in my hands complete with multiple literature for the stay.

Room – My Club lounge access, King room (44SqM) felt like more space than advertised, with a completely generous hallway after the door.

The toilet is in this case separate from the main bathroom and located to the right of the hallway in it’s stand alone space.

Then there is the walk in wardrobe which was super spacious, complete with luscious bathrobes.

The bathroom space is mad nice with its marbling, a bathtub, and separate shower space. Toiletries here are Diptiyque branded ones which are now a RC thing (but I still miss Asprey Purple Water!).

The main bedroom space is a tremendous amount of space for 1pax, offering a huge bed, a chaise lounge and solo relax chair alongside a huge TV which can swivel out.

At one corner of this space is the dining table (!) and mini bars set up – so much space!

On the table was a welcome pack of peanut brittle accompanied by a welcome note – cute touch.

However, I could not find any bedroom slippers and had to call for them. And THIS got sent up. Those look more like Ibis slippers instead. BOO.

The room’s view is actually very nice and rare for Melbourne property- I like!

Ritz Carlton Club (website) – located on level 79, the Club is very nice, very quiet, and I immediately felt like I can chill here for a very long time if I have to!

I didn’t have breakfast at the Club (7:00am-10:30am) as I opted to eat at the restaurant instead – but ttied my best to try the rest of the meal presentations:

Lunch (12:00pm-2:00pm) – no buffet here but instead you pick a main course – the salmon was really good!

Afternoon Tea (3:00pm-4:30pm) – also not a buffet but instead a selection of items to be ordered modually and presented to you by no. of pax. Or so I was told until I saw the gigantic plate of cold cuts and scones – how is this for 1pax?!

Hors d’oeuvres (5:30pm-7:230pm) – my favorite session as this saw an awesome quality spread of canapes, hot and cold bites, and OYSTERS. Yay thank you RC for my zinc instake for 2 consecutive nights!

I sure made sure I tried to eat my money’s worth back in oysters.

Cordials (8:00pm-9:30pm) – as expected the most boring of the lot.

Alcohol was available throughout the day with cocktails available between 5:30pm-7:30pm. I recall there was a cocktail menu of sorts but I think I lost the picture. But anyhow, the staff were happy to try to make something off-menu upon request. They were also very to offer me wine flights during my stay which I thought was so cool since I dont’ really know my wines enough.

Breakfast – I opted to have my breakfast at Atria (6:30am-10:30am) located at level 80 – the space was mad nice and never felt crowded at all. Views all around especially for those who need that to start the day.

Food was an expectedly small buffet offering continental stuff including plenty of greens.

This was accompanied by an ala carte menu where you can order 1 item per person – the chilli crab omelette turned out to be curry but the avocado toast with halloumi was delicious.

Facilities – the Fitness Centre was big and could fit in a really good workout!

The Swimming pool was a pretty spot and I’d love to try if I had just remembered my swimwear!

I also tried the wet facilities and it was a peacefl relaxing afternoon in the atas jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.

Service – Fantastic service from the Club team – Megan, Boom, Jio – and everyone else in the property was just lovely.

Check Out – seamlessly done on a Tuesday mid day.

In Summary,

fantastic value given I had Club access – can’t wait to try the Sydney one!