Overview
While it's hard to pin down an exact date for Lygon Street's rise to the pinnacle of Melbourne's hospitality scene, Carlton's most famous strip has been bustling with cuisine and culture since at least the 1950s. Yet the neighbourhood has just achieved a new first, as the opening of the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton is the suburb's debut internationally branded hotel.
Perched on the fringes of the CBD and surrounded by Carlton's much-loved dining and cafe scene, guests can easily explore so much of what makes Melbourne special. Overlooking Lincoln Square, several of the city's top universities, medical institutions and cultural landmarks are a short stroll away, while a handful of tram lines are set to ferry you further afield.
The hotel's design pays homage to the suburb's enduring legacy, with a facade inspired by Carlton's tree-lined avenues. Then, stepping inside, guests encounter a warmly decorated timber-lined foyer, punctuated by a softly illuminated sculptural installation that elevates the space with bronze forms.
Once you've checked in, the 107 guest rooms are comfortable and functional, where a modern colour palette and natural materials make for a peaceful stay. Here, the green and timber tones echo the surrounding parkland, while original artworks offer a geometric take on the people and pathways that make up Carlton's long and winding history.
Standout dining awaits on the hotel's doorstep, but for times you're keen to stay in, Fico Carlton builds on the area's Italian identity. Taking its name from the Moreton Bay fig trees that frame Lincoln Square, the restaurant's executive chef, Patrick Chung, has crafted a share-style menu brimming with homemade pasta and secondi piatti such as slow-cooked beef cheek and fire-cooked barramundi.
Shifting from day to night like the best Italian restaurants, Fico also brings a touch of theatre, including tableside sgroppino, featuring a bright, palate-cleansing mix of lemon gelato, prosecco and limoncello. Once dinner is complete, you'll be perfectly positioned to head to the actual theatre or join the diehard footy tragics as they head to the 'G to watch the Blues in action.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton is now open at 701 Swanston St, Carlton. Head to the website for more information.
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