I was born and raised in Essendon, so am somewhat familiar with the area; over the several decades I have observed change, one place has remained hauntingly familiar, Essendon Airport, (now Essendon Fields). For those aware of Chris Marker's film La Jetée, there are some striking familiarities between his film and the Essendon airport terminal, stuck as it were in a time warp from the 60's. As a boy I would often go watch planes from the airport's air bridge, or jetty, so when it came to choosing where to stay for our recent Melbourne visit and Hyatt Place Essendon Fields presented itself, I thought why not, at least I can see what has become of the old airport. What a treat I received when I arrived. The new Essendon Fields is an excellent amalgam of modernity and postmodernity, the bold functional architecture of the 40's and 50's terminal building with its eye for the future, transcends from within its post modern frame of hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and function centres. English street, once again has attained an avenue-esque presence, beatified with trees and rockery. Set amongst this landscape, the Hyatt is perfectly placed. Close to the freeway turn off, with ample parking, a toll from the supermarkets of Coles or La Mamas, surrounded by parks and not too far from Airport west shopping and cinemas. Indeed the only draw back if you could call it such, is the distance from the city (about 10 miles). Yet this is also the advantage, as the hotel makes an excellent mid way point between Melbourne's main airport and the city, idea if you're FIFO The Hotel itself takes the best of the Hyatt chain, with out being too chain-ey, the architecture is more befitting its surroundings. The finishings are luxury, but the price tag is mid range (assumably because of its distance from the CBD). The breakfast area and foyer lounge is vast, with ample seating and a large restaurant/bar adjoining. We will definitely return for our next Melbourne stay 5/5
