On my recent trip to Melbourne, I had the pleasure of experiencing a hosted stay at the Hyatt Centric Melbourne in the heart of the city’s CBD. The hotel opened in December 2021 and there’s nothing like a sparkling new hotel, with great accessible accommodation, to make this gal super happy. I’ve seen a lot of accessible hotel rooms, so it takes something quite special to have me all a twitter and the Hyatt Centric Melbourne did just that. During my stay I spent one night in an accessible suite and another evening in an accessible room. It’s always exciting to see more than one accessible room option and to find an accessible suite built for special occasions and memory making.
The Hyatt Centric Melbourne is located in Downie Street, a short wheel or walk from SeaLife Melbourne, and just across the Yarra River from the entertainment precinct of Southbank and the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Hyatt Centric Melbourne – accessible suite accommodation
Walking into the incredibly spacious accessible suite accommodation (room 1706), which was my home for the first night of my stay, I was overwhelmingly thrilled and began to wonder if I’d been given the wrong room. To say this suite is huge is an understatement.
Since experiencing travel with Braeden and his need for a wheelchair, I’m a little obsessed by spacious rooms and good circulation space, this suite delivers on both counts. The suite has a kitchen, dining and lounge area and separate bedroom and accessible bathroom.
Even if I plan to eat out for most meals I love having access to a microwave and fridge. It’s always good for the budget to be able to self-cater some meals or snacks. The accessible suite at Hyatt Centric Melbourne offers guests a full size fridge, microwave, coffee maker and sink with lever taps.
Thankfully the large living area hasn’t meant any sacrifice of space in the bedroom which offers exceptional circulation space on either side of the king bed.
Bedroom accessibility facts – bedroom door clearance is 89cm, bed height is 58cm and under bed clearance is 8cm.
Offering a television in the bedroom and lounge room there’s no shortage of places to relax after a day’s sightseeing. I continued my obsession with room service and made like a sloth and enjoyed an evening in. It truly is one of the best luxuries for someone who cooks for a family.
QR codes allow guests to access the room service menu and a range of information about facilities in the hotel.
Wardrobes in the bedroom and in the foyer of the accessible suite ensure there is plenty of storage for luggage and equipment, leaving the suite uncluttered. Just a note that the hanging rail is not at a lowered height.
The air conditioning controls and light switches are all at a lowered height suitable for wheelchair users.
Hyatt Centric Melbourne accessible suite bathroom
What a bathroom! As with the rest of the suite, the bathroom is a fabulous size and it’s equipped with grab rails, lever taps, height-adjustable shower head and toilet with a back rest.
A shower chair is available on request.
There’s room under the bathroom sink for a wheelchair user and towels and amenities are all located at a lowered height.
Many of our readers have commented over the years that when they travel with their loved one who has a disability they wish there was a bath in the room as well as the roll-in accessible shower so they can enjoy the luxury of a bath. Well, the Hyatt Centric Melbourne has delivered on that with a gorgeous bath in the accessible suite’s bathroom. I took full advantage of the extra bath treats to relax in the bath with a glass of champagne and strawberries I’d bought just for the occasion. Life at home is so hectic that I find luxuriating in a bath a real treat.
Bathroom facts – toilet height to pan 43cm and to seat 45cm. Bathroom door clearance is 86cm.
It wasn’t easy to leave this room. I felt right at home and love the fact there is a luxury accessible suite option for anyone looking for a special city staycation or getaway in the heart of Melbourne.
Facilities at Hyatt Centric Melbourne compliment the accessible rooms on offer with a dreamy pool with gentle ramp access and a pool hoist.
I can’t tell you how excited I get when I learn a hotel has pool access. It shouldn’t be as rare as it is in Australia but it’s encouraging to see more hotels installing them.
I’d love to say I got up every morning and hit the gym for a workout, but I’d be lying. I wandered in, took a photo and walked out, but for anyone keen to know, there’s a good gym.
The hotel also has wheelchair accessible conference facilities.
I did manage to drag myself out of bed to head to Toma (the Hyatt’s restaurant) for breakfast and it was worth the effort. Settled in a window seat I happily chose from the a la carte menu while watching the city wake for the day.
My delicious breakfast fuelled me for a day of exploring the city.
Hyatt Centric Melbourne accessible accommodation
Not everyone will have the budget or the need for the accessible suite so it’s good to know that there are plenty of other accessible accommodation options at Hyatt Centric Melbourne.
My second night in Melbourne was spent in this accessible room which may not have had the same wow factor of the suite but fulfilled my needs and offered many of the same accessible features.
The room offers good circulation space and plenty of room on both sides of the bed for wheelchair users to transfer.
In the accessible bathroom you’ll find grab rails throughout, height adjustable shower, lever taps and a toilet with a back rest.
I did give the hotel feedback about the placement of the chest which contains towels as it partially blocks access to the wheelchair accessible sink.
A small kitchenette with a min-bar fridge allows guests to make their own tea and coffee and store a small amount of food, medication or drinks.
I perched in the window nook with my room service meal and book and enjoyed another night in.
My stay may have been short but the hotel offered all the comforts I needed for a Melbourne getaway and I used my base to explore many of the local attractions and exhibitions.
If you’d like more information you can read more about Hyatt Centric Melbourne on their website.
I can’t express how happy I am to see the accessible pool! Is there capacity for a single bed/ sleeping 3 in these rooms? Thank you so much for another super helpful review!
Jodie,
The hotel has quite a few accessible rooms so I’d be surprised if they couldn’t accommodate an additional bed in one o them. Definitely in the suite their is room but it’s expensive if you are just wanting a hotel room. I’d call and ask the hotel. It’s a beautiful hotel.
Glad it was helpful.
Julie
love the bathroom and space – if not disabled [but large] can you still book such a room?
Hi Andrea
I’m sure you can.
Julie