Planning a conference or incentive for 500 delegates and would like to stay, meet and play in one venue? Here are seven Melbourne hotels with capacity for 500 delegates to consider for your next event program or gala cocktail reception.
Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Located on what is known as 'The Paris End’ of Melbourne's Collins Street in the heart of the city, the 363-room Sofitel Melbourne on Collins offers a Grand Ballroom and six additional function spaces for flexible event delivery.
With 2,103 sqm of event spaces, the 796 sqm Grand Ballroom can cater up to:
- 1,000 delegates for cocktail, reception and theatre
- 690 delegates for banquet
- 600 delegates for banquet with stage and dancefloor
- 504 delegates for cabaret
- Car hoist directly into the Ballroom
Grand Hyatt
Offering 546 spacious guest rooms and suites, the five-star Grand Hyatt Melbourne is also located on ‘The Paris End’ of Melbourne’s iconic Collins Street, surrounded by the city's world-class shopping, dining, entertainment and sports districts.
Event planners can choose from 15 inspired event spaces and an exclusive group registration area across 4,100 sqm of flexible floor space.
Maximum capacity of largest event space:
- 1,200 delegates for reception and cocktail
- 1,100 delegates for theatre
- 700 delegates for banquet
- 630 delegates for banquet with stage and dancefloor
The 631 sqm ‘Residence’ is Grand Hyatt Melbourne’s premium event venue. Based on the concept of a private mansion, the space includes four individually styled rooms - Wine Room, Library, Verandah and Courtyard - all served by a spectacular open kitchen. The floor-to-ceiling windows afford stunning views of Collins Street and the courtyard dazzles with natural light through a soaring atrium glass ceiling.
Maximum capacity of The Residence:
- 160 delegates for banquet
- 350 delegates for reception
Pullman Melbourne on the Park
Pullman Melbourne on the Park is an upscale 419-room hotel situated in picturesque East Melbourne, overlooking the iconic MCG, Melbourne Park and the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens.
The venue offers a grand ballroom and 11 event rooms. Event planners love the natural light in the hotel’s Governor Wing rooms offering MCG and Fitzroy Garden views.
Their 707 sqm grand ballroom has capacity for:
- 1,000 delegates for reception or cocktail
- 850 delegates for theatre
- 510 delegates for banquet
- 470 delegates for banquet with stage and dancefloor
- 400 delegates for cabaret or classroom
Crown Melbourne
Crown Melbourne is located on the Yarra River in the heart of Melbourne’s dining and entertainment district. It offers exceptional accommodation and an array of diverse and versatile event spaces for large groups across the Crown Melbourne Complex and its three hotels; Crown Metropol (658 rooms), Crown Promenade (465 rooms) and Crown Towers (482 rooms).
Palladium is the largest pillarless ballroom in Australia and can also be divided into smaller event spaces. Palladium caters for up to:
- 2,500 delegates for theatre
- 1,100 delegates for classroom
- 1,500 delegates for banquet
Crown Aviary is a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind rooftop event space with incredible views of the city and the Yarra River framed by rooftop gardens.
The space is suitable for:
- 550 delegates for cocktail
- 400 delegates for banquet
The Crown Conference Centre is another fantastic option for large events. With two main plenary rooms, the centre allows for up to 840 delegates, 16 breakout rooms, a dedicated exhibition space, exclusive group registration areas and four barista style cafés.
Rydges Melbourne
The 4.5-star, 370-room Rydges Melbourne reopens in July 2023, completely renovated and transformed. The hotel now offers more than 1,500 sqm of flexible, state-of-the-art conference and events space.
On level one, the pre-function foyer spaces have been designed for seamless flow and provide amenities such as free-flowing still and sparkling water, juices and tea and coffee throughout the day. The pre-event space can also suit a trade expo, with space to set up individual booths or stands.
At 495 sqm, Centre Stage is the most spacious of the hotel’s new event spaces, with its own dedicated pre-event space and bar. A pillarless ballroom with almost seven metre high soaring ceilings, Centre Stage features a super-sized 7m x 4m LED screen, state-of-the-art sound and operable wall to divide into two spaces if required.
The maximum capacity for Centre Stage is:
- 500 delegates for reception
- 500 delegates for theatre
- 158 delegates for classroom
- 340 delegates for banquet
In addition, The Meeting Place on the same level as Centre Stage, can be used as one larger space, or through operable walls, divide into four areas, with views over the Little Bourke Street and Melbourne’s theatre district taking advantage of the location.
The maximum capacity for The Meeting Place is:
- 300 delegates for reception
- 240 delegates for banquet
- 295 delegates for theatre
On level two, Rydges Melbourne has created flexible, light-filled Terrace Rooms adjoining an expansive outdoor terrace with retractable awning and heating catering to a maximum of 360 reception-style.
Pullman Melbourne on Albert Park
Situated on the city fringe, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park offers a combination of 378 Mercure and Pullman rooms and is only a ten minute drive to Melbourne’s laidback laneways, cosmopolitan St Kilda and the dining and entertainment district of Southbank on the Yarra River.
Overlooking Albert Park Lake, Pullman Melbourne Albert Park boasts more than 2,600 sqm of flexible function space, 32 adaptable venues and room for up to 1,600 delegates.
The Grand Ballroom impresses with over 1,000 sqm of pillarless conference and event space. Exceptional features include 6.2m high floor to ceiling views over Albert Park Lake, operable walls for flexible room configuration and state-of-the-art lighting, projection and audio.
Its maximum capacity for delegates includes:
- 1,600 delegates for reception and cocktail
- 1,400 delegates for theatre and banquet
- 870 delegates for cabaret
- 876 delegates for banquet with stage and dancefloor
- 819 delegates for classroom
Sparked your curiosity?
The Melbourne Convention Bureau provide free assistance to help you plan the perfect conference or incentive program in Melbourne. Get in touch with our team of experts for advice on the ideal venue, event supplier, team building activities and more.