Melbourne…A paradise for everything that involves shopping, eating, drinking and much, much more!  Perth Woman Magazine recently visited this exciting city and has put together the complete woman’s guide for you to experience next time you’re in town. But how do you fit all these great activities into just one week of feminine fun? Well we have the answer! Keep on reading to find out how to have every woman’s dream holiday in Melbourne- planned out for maximum purchasing, indulging, giggling and good times!

 

Before she does anything, every woman must first think about where she is going to rest her pretty head. The Crown Promenade Hotel within the Crown Casino Complex is a great place to stay and be looked after. Stylish and modern, this hotel offers the essential luxuries every woman needs, while still being very affordable (that means more money for shoes, bags and makeup!)

 

Winning the Deluxe Accommodation category at the Melbourne Airport 2006 Victorian Tourism Awards, this hotel features 465 contemporary and stylish rooms including 18 studios and 3 suites. Designed to be functional and for relaxation, all rooms offer magnificent city or bay views.

 

There is so much to do at the Crown Promenade Hotel; you could spend an entire week within its walls alone!

 

For starters there is the art leisure facility at the Crown Promenade Hotel which will ensure you feel well and truly reinvigorated. The Deck features an indoor pool, two outdoor deck areas, steam rooms and a gymnasium.

 

With 24 hour in room dining and oversized showers, you will be in hotel heaven before your head hits the pillow. With so many features, it will keep any woman very happy indeed (men take note). The bedding itself is sensational, and the natural tones of the decor give the rooms a very calm feel.

 

This hotel is truly so luxurious and you will find it very to leave and venture out on excursions!

 

If you do manage to drag yourself away from the spectacular lights and chandeliers of the Crown Complex, there are many other great things for a woman to experience.

 

There is of course the shopping (that is second only to a woman’s beauty sleep)!  Chadstone Shopping Centre is a newly opened shopping centre only 12 minutes out of the CBD on Citylink. This shopping centre boasts a great range of shopping, with over 400 places to shop and eat, with the added incentive that any interstate or overseas visitors receive a free visitor’s passport, which can be collected from the customer service desks giving you discounts of up to nearly 30%.

 

The Melbourne CBD is also a great place to shop. It has everything, the designer shops, the large department stores and the quaint little boutiques. The cosmetic halls in David Jones and Myer are heavenly and well worth a stroll through.

 

The GPO Shopping Centre is also a memorable place to shop, with stores including Mimco, Camper and Mandarina Duck. Not only is this complex known for its amazing shopping but also for its magnificent architecture, and stunning arcade interiors.

 

Melbourne is also famous for its markets which are scattered throughout the city. If you can only get to one though, go to the Queen Victoria Markets. They have great fresh produce, as well as all sorts of other goodies.

 

Next on the list of a woman's priorities is eating, or rather indulging! For the most exquisite, and memorable high tea, visit the Windsor Hotel between 3pm and 5pm. You will feel like a princess when you are seated, poured a glass of Rose, and given a beautiful three tiered stand of the most delicious warm scones, tiny pastries and finger sandwiches, whilst sitting amongst the gorgeous surroundings. Visit the ladies powder room for an even more magical and glamorous step back in time!

 

Mo Vida is a very highly acclaimed tapas restaurant in Hosier Lane. It presents a delicious dinner option after a long, hard day of shopping! However it is important you book well in advance, as it is incredibly popular.

 

Nobu Restaurant located on the ground floor of Crown Entertainment Complex is also a great place to visit for tasty, modern Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. Nobu is part of a super-successful chain which has 22 restaurants in 18 of the most glamorous capital cities worldwide (London, Tokyo, Manhattan, Milan...) and constantly receives unprecedented praise and rave reviews. Nobu has also been named the most influential restaurant of the new millennium. This restaurant has the most wonderful river views, great lighting and decor and an energetic feeling. Serving fresh, local and healthy food, infused with the most mind-blowing flavours, you will never be able to enjoy a plain piece of broccoli again after this eating experience- sensational! Nobu also serves the most divine cocktails. We encourage you to try the passionfruit and white chocolate martinis- sublime! Nobu’s cocktails are definitely the best way to start or end your night!

 

The newly opened Lindt Chocolat Cafe is also worth a visit to experience pure chocolaty heaven. Indulge in their house made waffles with vanilla and white chocolate ice-cream and hot fudge, or in fact really anything on the menu. From deliciously rich hot chocolates to every type of yummy cake, this Cafe is sure to satisfy the fiercest of chocolate cravings!

 

For a few scrumptious cocktails with the girls, go no further than the Chi Lounge. This bar has a fantastic style, secret corners and extensive "book" of a drinks list. Whilst scouring club and pub scene look out for the famous “Melbourne Shuffle" dance - it is like nothing that you have ever seen before.

 

The New Gold Mountain is also an intriguing place to visit. While this place is a bit tricky to find it is well worth the trip. The only indication of this great little bar is a bicycle hung above the door, and a big 21 on the door. While it could easily be mistaken for being someone's house, don't be deterred by this, venture up the stairs, past the black and white photos and take a possie in front of the roaring fire. Next choose a decadent drink of your choice, and sit back and enjoy. Also, don't forget to look up; this place is decorated floor to ceiling!

 

For a great day out we recommend going along to the races at Flemington, just a quick train ride from the CBD. Crown Oaks Day is the traditional ladies day held on Thursday the 5th of November. It is a great excuse to dress up in something beautiful and enjoy a few glasses of champagne with the girls.

 

Southbank is also a great place to visit in Melbourne. Located on the southern bank of the Yarra River, it is a lively and trendy precinct. Visit Southbank for brunch, and the markets on a Sunday morning, dinner and cocktails in the evening, or a nice lunch followed by a stroll through the shops. The emphasis on outdoor dining, and sidewalk entertainment and the gorgeous river views ensures a great atmosphere at any time of the day.

 

So there you have it, just some of the many great places to stay, eat, see, and in this amazing city. With flights so cheap and the glorious summer weather around at the moment there is no better time to visit Melbourne and have one hell of a time with the girls!

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