PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne: a Hotel & a Precinct
A stay at PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne comes with an unusual bonus: direct access to the adjoining M-City shopping and dining precinct. Everything you could need without stepping outdoors.
A hotel within a shopping precinct transported me to my childhood daydreams.
I grew up in Forest Hill in the 1960s, then a suburban wasteland of brick-veneer houses and vacant blocks. The opening of Forest Hill Shopping Centre in 1964 promised a spark of joy in a dull landscape.
Later, it became the huge Forest Hill Chase, but at first, it had three main stores: Safeway, Moores, and McEwan’s Hardware.
My fantasy was to live in those stores; sleep in a Moore’s display bed, choose my outfits from the clothing racks and raid Safeway for tinned peaches and store-bought ice cream — luxury items for kids of my era.
Perhaps I never outgrew my dreams. In recent years I downsized to an apartment above a Coles. I tell people I have the world’s largest pantry.
So imagine my delight when I discovered that PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne was nestled within this vibrant mixed-use lifestyle and shopping complex in Clayton.
Much more than a hotel
Opened in April 2021, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne is part of M-City Monash, a landmark mixed-use development designed as a mini-city.
It sits at the gateway to Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor, one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing health, education and innovation hubs.
The convenience proved its worth when, aghast, I discovered I’d forgotten to pack knickers. I simply headed downstairs to the lingerie section of Kmart, which was open until 10pm.
The convenience reminded me of a trip to China, where the tour guide chose hotels surrounded by residential towers. This meant we had everything close at hand, including plenty of inexpensive dining options.
At M-City, there’s PARKROYAL, three residential towers, plus a shopping and dining precinct. There’s even a Village Cinemas complex. Pick a quiet session, and it feels like you have your own luxurious home cinema.
A couple of the stores were familiar to me, but mostly this is a community hub that reflects the multicultural character of the City of Monash, where more than half the population was born overseas.
Multiculturalism is reflected in the diverse backgrounds of both the hotel team and the retail staff, as well as in the 22-plus culinary options that showcase Malaysian and other Asian flavours. Options include PappaRich and HK Foodie, Lucky Dumpling Kitchen, Hikaru Sushi, Sangu Spicy Pot, and Garibaldi Pizzeria Ristorante.
Location
My mission was to find out whether PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne would suit Seniors in Melbourne — and its location was one of the first reasons I’d recommend a stay.
Located on Blackburn Road, near the corner of Dandenong Road, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne is close to the M1, the major east–west route linking Melbourne with regional Victoria.
For travellers coming from the Surf Coast/Geelong or Gippsland, here is a convenient base without having to navigate Melbourne’s city centre.
Once happily ensconced, you are well placed for day trips to the Dandenong Ranges (I could see them from my window), the Yarra Valley wineries and the Mornington Peninsula.
But surprisingly, this location also works well for Melburnians like myself. Staying at PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne gives you the chance to explore a different side of Melbourne, with more to discover than you could possibly fit into a day. See my list of local finds at the end.
Medical needs
Healthy ageing can mean a relentless cycle of medical scans, vaccinations and routine health checks.
Many of my friends consider these constant appointments an ankle bracelet for home detention. But at PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne, you can be away from home and still take care of health-related matters.
On the mezzanine floor above Kmart, there’s a medical hub with GP care, Australian Clinical Labs (blood testing), and Scope Radiology for X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and echocardiography. Bulk billing available for eligible Medicare patients. There’s also a pharmacy, dentist and Victorian Hearing Centre.
Family gatherings and graduations
From this hotel, it’s easy to catch up with relatives in Melbourne’s south-east or visit grandchildren studying at Monash University Clayton — particularly when a graduation comes round.
Monash University is so close I could see my old campus from the hotel. It brought back memories of my graduation all those years ago.
Ceremonies are still held in Sir Robert Blackwood Hall, with graduates advised to arrive two hours beforehand to register, collect their academic gowns and have photographs taken.
Staying nearby turns graduation day into a relaxed occasion: no driving in from afar, no traffic, no parking stress. Arrive the day before, then enjoy the day as it unfolds.
And when the ceremony is over, there’s no need to drive elsewhere to celebrate. The hotel’s Ginger Restaurant and Enoteca Bar & Lounge are downstairs.
Hospital visits
PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne is listed on MediStays as an accommodation option, given that it is only 2 km from Monash Medical Centre and Monash Children’s Hospital and has all the right facilities.
Imagine the convenience of supporting a partner through treatment, accompanying a daughter through IVF, or even visiting to welcome a new grandchild.
For longer stays, PARKROYAL Monash has certain rooms with a larger fridge and laundry facilities — when I recently had a hospital stay out of area, having somebody to do my washing would have been a godsend.
If a patient needs extra time to recover before travelling, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne offers 13 accessible Superior Rooms. These feature step-free wheelchair access, grab rails, wall-mounted shower seats, easy-to-reach controls, lowered basins, visual and audible alarms, nearby lift access, and connecting carer’s rooms.
But what’s it like to stay?
Smooth, from arrival to departure. I found welcoming staff, clear instructions, no queues, and room cards that worked without hesitation in lifts and at doors. A lot of work must go on here behind the scenes to create this ease.
I settled into a Superior Room (909). Opening the door, I was met with an attractive lounge area and, behind its curved wall, a super-king-sized bed.
Like much of the hotel, the space felt open yet clearly demarcated, with each area flowing into the next while remaining distinct.
As my son said on visiting, “You could run laps here without meeting a door.”
I wrote this review seated at the desk, using a swivel chair that let me easily turn to admire the view of the Dandenong Ranges. Large televisions were positioned in both the living space and the bedroom, accompanied by sleek, modern lounge furniture at a comfortable height.
My white marble bathroom felt like a spa, with a long marble vanity, dual basins, and gilded mirrors. I was flabbergasted by the size of the showers. Yes, there were two.
You could shower together, but wear glasses, as it would be impossible to see each other from that distance, with the rain showerheads positioned at opposite ends.
When water fell, the experience was wonderfully immersive — like standing under a steamy tropical downpour.
The bathroom didn’t just look magnificent; it felt and smelt the part, with luxurious king-size towels, plush bathrobes and comfortable bath slippers. As I showered, wafts of APPELLES luxury botanical toiletries swirled through the air.
Wake up and seize the day. There is nothing like the perfect shower, popping on a luscious bathrobe, then pressing the button on a Lavazza coffee machine while watching the day unfold through the large windows.
Other rooms
While I stayed in a Superior Room, the standard rooms offered many of the same amenities. Both the Superior and Deluxe rooms are between 31 and 34 square metres, making them larger than most standard hotel rooms.
Across the hotel’s 250 rooms, king beds reign, so the rooms need to be generously sized. So while I felt special in my room, everybody is treated like royalty here.
You can request different bedding configurations, including Superior Twin rooms and Deluxe Twin rooms with two queen beds.
An Australian sense of place
PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne draws on the region’s natural landscape and native flora, giving an authentic Australian sense of place.
It isn’t obvious at first; the clues gradually build until the larger statement emerges.
The painting above my bed gave me my first hint. Created by Australian artist Aidan Weichard, its Expressionist banksia bloom, rendered in vivid reds and muted, dusty olive green, brought the spirit of the Australian bush inside. Raised among the bushland of Gembrook and now based in Gippsland, Weichard’s artwork is displayed across the hotel in rooms and public spaces.
Once I noted the banksia painting in my room, I began seeing them elsewhere, creating a visual thread through the guest rooms and public spaces.
The connection continues in the decorating palette of warm timber tones, soft neutrals, earthy colours and darker accents, with abstract patterns echoing the Australian landscape. Smaller details follow the theme, from bathroom products with Australian lemon myrtle and Kakadu plum to sprigs of gum leaves in vases at breakfast.
The lobby and Enoteca Bar & Lounge
Echoing the general design, public spaces were defined by soft curves rather than heavy walls and doors.
The curved reception area flows naturally into Enoteca Bar & Lounge, forming an inviting place for a pre-dinner drink. It was the pre-dinner happy hour when I visited.
Sipping my $12 cocktail, I noticed bronze chainmail mesh curtains cascading from above, reminiscent of knights’ pavilions. They created privacy for small groups without closing them in.
Elsewhere, high-backed contemporary chairs formed intimate circular groupings, upholstered in rich ochre tones that echoed the carpet’s patterning and colours.
Ginger Restaurant
I’d been looking forward to my meal at Ginger Restaurant. Executive Chef Punit Fernandes was named Chef of the Year – Accommodation Division at the 2024 AHA National Awards for Excellence, so expectations were high.
I asked my son and his partner to join me, partly for our regular catch-up, but also to see how Ginger would work for a small family group — the kind of meal seniors take adult children or older grandchildren out to. There’s something appealing about meeting family downstairs rather than having to drive to dinner.
Ginger’s current menu combines contemporary Italian influences with local produce, including Gippsland grass-fed steak, locally caught seafood and Victorian cheeses.
The restaurant ticked all the boxes for us. We scored a window view and had attentive but not overly obtrusive service. There were several options for my vegetarian daughter-in-law, while my son enjoyed the beef cheek.
I maxed out on the gigantic prawns: a small plate of king prawns served on charred bread with a hint of chilli in the oil, followed by a main of Fettuccine Alla Gamberi — prawns, wilted spinach and a white wine sauce.
One of the evening’s highlights was chatting with Ryan Illawature, whose classy suit and polished manner preceded his arrival. He checked in on us and the surrounding diners while keeping tabs on a separate dining room where a party of 20 was celebrating.
When I went to order a Shiraz, he recommended a wonderful drop.
His career with PARKROYAL, part of the Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group, gives him an international perspective, and we swapped stories about the places we’d travelled and the food and wine we’d enjoyed along the way.
I later learned that Ryan was a finalist for Food & Beverage Services Employee of the Year in the 2025 Victorian Accommodation Awards for Excellence. Why wasn’t I surprised?
Room for the big occasions
While my family gathering at Ginger was small, PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne is well-suited to larger extended-family celebrations.
The smaller Monash Boardroom seats up to 24, while the Blackburn rooms can accommodate around 50 each, or up to 80 when combined. There is a pillarless ballroom that can be configured with soundproof walls to various sizes, depending on the number of guests.
This would be especially useful for family celebrations following graduations or citizenship ceremonies at nearby Robert Blackwood Hall.
As a new hotel, it offers modern audiovisual equipment — including screens, sound systems, PA systems, and microphones — ideal for displaying family photos and home movies, or for giving speeches.
Executive Chef Punit Fernandes, born in Mumbai, co-owns Richmond’s Bombay Meri Jaan and has worked in top Melbourne kitchens like Rockpool, Mesh, Merrywell, and No. 8 by John Lawson.
His diverse culinary expertise is ideal for multicultural events, citizenship celebrations, and large family gatherings.
Getting there
PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne is located at 872 Blackburn Rd, Clayton.
By car: Take the Monash Freeway (M1) and exit toward Warrigal Road or Blackburn Road, then drive to Clayton. The drive from central Melbourne takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic.
Public transport: From the CBD, take a Metro train (such as the Cranbourne or Pakenham lines), then a connecting bus route (such as the 800 or 631) via nearby hubs like Clayton Station. The nearest bus stop, Princes Hwy/Blackburn Rd, is a 1–3 minute walk from the hotel.
To/from Monash University: The hotel is about 2 km from Monash University, a short ride on the 631 bus.
There’s step-free access into the hotel and lifts to every floor — see Accessibility below for full details.
Accessibility
There is step-free access from the Ground Floor and B1 entrances, with lifts serving every floor. After check-in, park on B2, which has access to the guest lifts.
PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne 872 Blackburn Rd, Clayton VIC 3168 For bookings and enquiries, please contact PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne on (03) 9518 8888.
What’s near PARKROYAL Monash Melbourne
There are plenty of activities nearby depending on your interests. This list starts with the closest.
IKEA and Springvale Homemaker Centre — 500–600 metres / about 7–8 minutes’ walk For regional Victorians, a visit to IKEA holds novelty value. Conveniently situated across the road, inside the Springvale Homemaker Centre, alongside numerous home decor stores. Redecorating sorted!
Monash University Clayton campus and Public Art Walk — approx. 800 metres / about a 10-minute walk Monash campus features an excellent Public Art Walk. The open loop has various entry points. Enjoy concerts, theatre and other performances at venues including Robert Blackwood — see Monash Performing Arts Centres.
Australian Synchrotron — approx. 1.3 km / 3–5 minutes by car For the science-minded, tours of the Australian Synchrotron.
Sandown International Raceway — approx. 4.8 km / 8–10 minutes by car Sandown offers both horse and major motor-racing events, depending on the season.
Oakleigh — approx. 5 km / 10 minutes by car One of Melbourne’s best Greek precincts. Eaton Mall is the heart of its Greek café culture, with tavernas and kafenions creating the feel of a village square. I managed to fit in a moussaka lunch before my 3pm hotel check-in.
Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) — approx. 5–6 km / 10–15 minutes by car Australia’s national photography institution, MAPh, features changing exhibitions, public programs, a café, a gift shop, a sculpture park, and a library. I visited and loved it.
Jells Park — approx. 6–9 km / 15–20 minutes by car The famous Jells Park has grassy areas, walking paths, wetlands and picnic spots. Walk around the lake and lunch in the excellent café.
Chadstone – The Fashion Capital — approx. 7–9 km / 10–15 minutes by car Chadstone gives off more than a hint of Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, with vaulted glass ceilings and global luxury flagships including Valentino, Prada and Gucci. The new Market Pavilion adds food vendors and artisan goods. Use photo ID to collect a Tourist Shopping Passport (a book of discounts) if you live 50 km or more away. The Chadstone Tourist Shuttle operates between Chadstone and Federation Square — free, bookings required.
Moorabbin Air Museum — approx. 7.5 km / 15–20 minutes by car Situated at Moorabbin Airport, this museum features one of Australia’s premier collections of aircraft, engines, uniforms, and aviation artefacts.
Glen Waverley and Kingsway — approx. 8–10 km / 15–20 minutes by car Kingsway offers a vibrant array of Asian cuisines, making it a great dining precinct.
For golfers — approx. 5–20 minutes by car The hotel is often used as a premium accommodation base for Sandbelt golfing trips because it is located less than 15 minutes from world-class courses such as Huntingdale and Metropolitan Golf Club. Public options such as Oakleigh and Glen Waverley are also nearby.
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