Suite Spot: 48 Hours at Pan Pacific Melbourne, From Sky-High Views to Whisky Tastings

There’s something only mildly embarrassing about living in one of Australia‘s most exciting cities and realising you’ve probably seen more of Europe and Asia than your own backyard.

I’m originally from Sydney, but a few years ago, my partner and I packed up our life and moved to Melbourne for a change of scenery (and cheaper rent, if I’m being completely honest). And while I now consider myself a true Melburnian (sorry, Sydney), there’s still a part of me that feels like a tourist here. Which, given the number of things I still haven’t seen or done, is probably a fair shout.

Melbourne has a ridiculous amount of things going for it: the restaurants, the bars, the galleries, the laneways, the sport, the festivals. You could spend every weekend doing something different and still barely scratch the surface. And yet, like most people, I’ve somehow developed the habit of visiting the same places and doing the same things each weekend. 

So, when the opportunity came up to spend 48 hours playing tourist in my adopted city, I figured it was time to see what I’d been missing out on.

Our home for the weekend was Pan Pacific Melbourne, a five-star hotel in South Wharf overlooking the Yarra River and city skyline. From there, we set out to experience Melbourne from a few different perspectives: cruising along the river, heading 88 floors above the city, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s best-known whisky distilleries.

Throw in a spectacular hotel suite and some rather indulgent hotel perks, and suddenly spending a weekend 30 minutes from home starts to sound like a very good idea indeed. Here’s how we spent our 48 hours in Melbourne, and why you might want to consider doing the same.

First Impressions of Pan Pacific Melbourne

One of the biggest advantages of Pan Pacific Melbourne is its location. Situated in South Wharf, directly beside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the hotel is within easy reach of some of the city’s best-known attractions, restaurants and shopping spots.

You’ve got DFO South Wharf practically on your doorstep, Crown Casino and the surrounding Southbank dining precinct nearby, and Docklands and the CBD within easy walking reach. For those wanting to explore Melbourne without spending half their weekend getting from one side of the city to the other, it’s a pretty convenient place to be.

And yet, despite being so close to everything, the hotel itself is extremely peaceful. Melbourne is a busy city, and finding somewhere that’s both central and quiet isn’t always easy. But Pan Pacific manages to offer the convenience of a city hotel without making you feel like you’re sleeping in the middle of the CBD.

The staff were also fantastic throughout our stay. Warm, welcoming and attentive, they made the experience truly special from the moment we arrived and throughout our stay (without any of the stuffiness that can sometimes come with five-star hotels).

But as lovely as the welcome was, the real highlight was waiting upstairs.

The Suites at Pan Pacific Melbourne

We stayed in the hotel’s Panoramic Suite, and I have to say, it was pretty spectacular. At 68 square metres, the suite is very generously spaced out, with a separate living area, king-sized bed, spacious bathroom and enormous windows offering expansive views across Melbourne. And those views really are something else.

There’s something quite special about watching the city stretch out beneath you as you drink your morning coffee, particularly when you’re looking at a skyline you’ve become so familiar with from street level.

The suite itself, however, was equally impressive as the skyline. Spacious, comfortable and beautifully designed, it was somewhat of a mission to force ourselves to leave the room, because we very easily could have locked ourselves in for 48 hours.

And despite being in such a central location, it was incredibly quiet, which, as a sensitive sleeper, I thoroughly appreciated. It was all too easy to forget we were staying in the middle of one of Australia’s busiest cities.

Of course, a suite like this is a luxury, and not every room at Pan Pacific offers the same space or panoramic views. But for a special occasion, anniversary or weekend away where the accommodation is part of the experience, I could not recommend it more.

The Pacific Club Lounge

Another highlight of our stay was access to the Pacific Club Lounge, which is included with eligible Club rooms and suites (such as the Panoramic Suite).

The lounge offers complimentary breakfast for two, all-day refreshments, and evening drinks and canapés, giving guests somewhere to relax throughout the day without having to leave the hotel.

Being able to pop in for a drink before going out for dinner, or something to eat between activities, made the weekend that much more relaxing. For a city staycation, where the aim of the game is to slow down a little and really enjoy yourself, The Pacific Club Lounge was a very welcome addition.

The Happy Sleeper Program

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt about hotel stays, it’s that having a beautiful room is one thing, but making time to enjoy it is another. 

That’s why one of our favourite little luxury touches was Pan Pacific’s Happy Sleepers Program, which is a collection of sleep-focused experiences designed to help guests unwind. Available to eligible guests, the program includes everything from guided meditation and bedtime rituals to aromatherapy bath soaks. 

We particularly loved the Bath Butler experience, which made winding down after a day of exploring Melbourne all too easy. We simply chose from three aromatherapy bath soaks, and the hotel took care of preparing the bath for us. All we had to do was slip in and relax. I know, tough life. 

What to Do Around Pan Pacific Melbourne

One of the best things about staying in South Wharf was how convenient it was to explore different parts of Melbourne. In my normal life, I spend most of my days in Melbourne’s inner-north, so it was a great opportunity for me to explore new parts of the city. 

The hotel sits along the Yarra River, with Southbank, Docklands and the CBD all accessible from the surrounding precinct. And while Melbourne’s laneways and inner-city neighbourhoods tend to get most of the attention, there’s plenty to discover along the waterfront.

Over our 48-hour stay, we managed to fit in a river cruise, a trip to Melbourne Skydeck and a visit to Starward Distillery, alongside plenty of time enjoying the hotel itself.

How to Spend 48 Hours in Melbourne

Take a Melbourne River Cruise

There are plenty of ways to explore Melbourne, but seeing it from the water offers a completely different perspective.

We joined Melbourne River Cruises for its one-hour River Gardens cruise, which travels upstream along the Yarra towards the city’s leafy eastern reaches. Along the way, you get views of some of Melbourne’s best-known landmarks, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Government House and the sporting precinct around the MCG and Melbourne Park.

It’s a great option for first-time visitors who want to see a few of the city’s highlights without spending hours walking between them (although Melbourne is a highly walkable city, so I’d still recommend exploring on foot!)

And for locals? Well, it’s a nice reminder that there’s a whole other side to the Yarra beyond the bridges you might cross on your way to work.

See Melbourne From 88 Floors Up at Melbourne Skydeck

From the water, we headed skywards. Located on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower in Southbank, Melbourne Skydeck offers some of the most spectacular views of the city.

And having now experienced it, I can confidently say it’s worth visiting for the views alone. From the observation deck, you can look out across the CBD, follow the Yarra as it winds through the city, and see Port Phillip Bay and Melbourne’s sprawling suburbs stretching towards the horizon.

We also tried the Voyager Theatre VR experience, which takes visitors on an immersive journey through some of Melbourne and Victoria’s best-known attractions. It’s a cool addition, and one I’d particularly recommend for tourists looking to experience more of Victoria during a short visit.

But even without the VR component, Melbourne Skydeck is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have lived here for years, seeing Melbourne from that height is a pretty remarkable experience.

Explore Starward Distillery in Port Melbourne

Melbourne might be famous for its coffee, but as it turns out, we’re pretty good at making whisky, too. For another stop on our weekend, we headed to Starward Distillery in Port Melbourne, where we got a behind-the-scenes look at how one of Australia’s best-known whisky brands produces its spirits.

Founded by David Vitale, Starward has made a name for itself by taking a truly Aussie approach to whisky production. Rather than replicating traditional Scottish methods, the distillery draws inspiration from Melbourne’s food and wine culture, using locally sourced ingredients and, for many of its whiskies, Australian wine barrels to create whiskies with their own character.

Getting to see the distillery and learn more about the production process was a great experience, particularly when you consider how much work goes into something that most of us only ever encounter in a glass.

We really enjoyed the tour, and I’d certainly recommend it to whisky lovers. Whether you’re already familiar with Starward or simply curious about how Australian whisky is made, it’s a great opportunity to see the process up close.

It’s also a good excuse to venture beyond the CBD and explore Port Melbourne, which has plenty of its own cafes, pubs and waterfront attractions.

More Things to See Around South Wharf and Docklands

Of course, you don’t need to book an organised experience to enjoy this part of Melbourne. South Wharf is the perfect spot to simply wander around, shop, eat, drink and take in the winding river views. 

DFO South Wharf is an obvious stop for anyone looking to do some shopping, while there are countless restaurants and bars in the area when you’re ready for an afternoon beer and feed. 

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is also right beside the hotel, so it’s worth checking the MCEC events calendar before your visit to see whether there’s an exhibition or event you might want to attend. 

If you head towards Docklands, you’ll find more waterfront promenades, restaurants and entertainment options, with Marvel Stadium also nearby.

If you’ve got a little more time, I’d also highly recommend heading into the CBD to explore Melbourne’s famous laneways, or visiting the National Gallery of Victoria, which regularly hosts major exhibitions alongside its permanent collections.

And, of course, there’s the entire Melbourne food and bar scene, which could very easily occupy an entire 48-hour itinerary on its own. That’s probably the biggest challenge with planning a weekend in Melbourne. There’s always something else you could be doing.

What to Eat and Drink at Pan Pacific Melbourne

Melbourne is a city that takes its food seriously. Very seriously. So, when it comes to hotel dining, the competition is pretty fierce. After all, why eat at your hotel when there are hundreds of excellent restaurants within easy reach?

Well, convenience is one reason. And when the food is good and the prices are reasonable, it’s definitely worth a stop-in.  During our stay, we had dinner at Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen, Pan Pacific’s signature restaurant, and came away pleasantly surprised.

The food was really enjoyable, the service was excellent and, perhaps most importantly, we thought it offered really good value for money. Would it be my first pick out of all the restaurants in Melbourne? Probably not.

That’s not a criticism of Dock 37 so much as a reflection of just how many incredible dining options this city has to offer. If you’re visiting Melbourne for the first time, I’d absolutely encourage you to get out and explore its restaurants, bars and neighbourhood dining scene.

But if you’ve spent the entire day sightseeing and would rather enjoy a good dinner without venturing too far from your room, Dock 37 is a very decent option.

Pan Pacific Melbourne Final Review

After spending 48 hours at Pan Pacific Melbourne, I can confidently say it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to experience the city in a little more comfort.

For us, the standout was undoubtedly the Panoramic Suite. The space, incredible views and peaceful atmosphere made it feel like a real ‘switch-your-brain-off-and-do-nothing-but-enjoy-yourself’ holiday, despite being so close to home.

Add the Pacific Club Lounge, the Happy Sleeper Program, and the staff who were always helpful and welcoming to the mix, and there’s really nothing I can fault about our stay. 

So, whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, attending an event at the convention centre or simply looking for an excuse to play tourist in your own city, Pan Pacific should be top of mind. 

As for our 48 hours in Melbourne? We managed to cruise the Yarra, take in the city from 88 floors up, explore a working whisky distillery, enjoy some excellent food and spend two nights in a beautiful hotel suite.

And somehow, there’s still an enormous list of things I want to do. I suppose that’s the beauty of Melbourne. Even after living here for years, there’s always something new to discover.

Pan Pacific Melbourne at a Glance

Feature	Details
Price	From $305 to $865 per night.
Room Type	Panoramic Suite: 68m² with expansive city views, a separate living area, king-sized bed and bathroom with bathtub and walk-in shower.
Dining	Dock 37 Bar and Kitchen: Modern Australian dining, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Dining (Casual)	Pacific Club Lounge: Complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments, evening drinks and canapés for eligible Club guests.
Bars	Dock 37 Bar: Cocktails, wines and spirits. Pacific Club Lounge: Evening drinks for eligible guests.
Core Amenities	24-hour fitness centre, in-room dining, valet parking, Pacific Club Lounge and Happy Sleeper Program for eligible guests.

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Disclaimer: This writer’s stay at Pan Pacific Melbourne, along with the Melbourne River Cruise, Melbourne Skydeck experience and Starward Distillery tour, was complimentary for the purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are entirely the writer’s own.

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