Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton — Photo by IHG

Travellers to Melbourne's booming Carlton precinct will soon have a new globally-branded hotel to call home when Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton opens in the first half of 2021.

The 5-storey property, which has previously operated as Rydges on Swanston, has been purchased by Ross Pelligra's Carlton Property Group Pty Ltd. and will convert to the world-class upscale Crowne Plaza brand, following a full refurbishment.

All public spaces, meeting facilities and 107 guest rooms will enjoy a full refurbishment to bring them up to the world-class Crowne Plaza standard, along with the building's exterior which will also get an update.

Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton will feature everything guests would expect from one of the world's leading upscale brands, and will include an all-day restaurant and bar, gym and undercover parking, as well as a stunning rooftop pool and bar. Its extensive meeting and event spaces make it the perfect fit for the Crowne Plaza brand, and it will feature 9 rooms with a total of 652sqm, including a 300-pax theatre style space.

The contemporary hotel with its Swanston Street frontage enjoys a coveted location overlooking Lincoln Square, just minutes' walk from Melbourne's University Precinct, the Biomedical Precinct and Queen Victoria Market, the largest market in Melbourne and the most visited attraction in Victoria with more than 10 million visitors each year.

Carlton has long been known as the birthplace of Melbourne's café culture, thanks to its Little Italy precinct on Lygon Street. It's also known for its garden squares and Victorian architecture and, more recently, it is enjoying a renaissance due to its proximity to Melbourne and for having the highest concentration of university students in Australia.

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