This was published 9 years ago
Brady Hotels Melbourne, review: A lovely bunch
In Melbourne’s CBD, Jim Darby gets a view from the top.
By Jim Darby
Luxury awaits: Brady Hotels Penthouse Suite is fit for a king.
THE SETTING
Apartment towers are growing like beanstalks in central Melbourne. A developer called Brady has a bunch of them, mostly residential, but they've opened one tower in the city's north-east as Brady Hotels. This is a lively part of town, full of students with some interesting cafes and bars nearby and within a credit card's throw of some of the city's best fashion stores.
THE SPACE
We have a two-bedroom apartment right up on the 16th floor with a couple of balconies, a large kitchen/dining/living area, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It's generous on space all-up – there's even plenty of room to move in the bathrooms. We had a look at a standard room (compact), an executive room (you can breathe out now) and a studio (the better bet for self-catering and if you're spending some of your waking hours indoors). All rooms have balconies, even if some of the "Juliette" balconies are so snug, it'd be a romantic squeeze to get Romeo in as well.
COMFORT
The table is set for six when we arrive with a bottle of wine dead centre, showing how this might work for those who stay and want to eat in or do some entertaining. That's just what we do and with the balcony doors open, it's a lively Friday night and if you need to restock food or drink, you don't have to go far in this part of town.
THE KIT
The hotel only opened in spring, so the fittings, furnishings and finishes are fresh. The tone is neutral, with blond veneers and natural timbers. There's no risk of disappearing into the pile of the carpet, but there's no sense that they've scrimped. The kitchen is very well equipped, all the way down to the knife block. The TV has Foxtel, which we found by chance, for even though the apartment has everything you need, there's no guide at all to help you use it. There's a small gym for guests and a business centre for those of that persuasion.
FOOD
If you can't find what you want to eat around here, then somebody must have locked you in the bathroom. On-site is Little Charley's cafe and bar, now under the wing of chef Jurgen Gareiss (formerly of Kyneton's Newmarket Hotel). He's in good company – a couple of steps across the street and you're in a Little Bird Told Me, a cafe that in a city obsessed with coffee is consistently rated as one of the best at it. Want to make use of that well-fitted kitchen and eat in? The Victoria Markets and all their abundance are a 10 minute stroll away. Want takeaways? Head down Swanston Street for the Korean chicken, or Japanese, or Thai; keep on walking and pretty soon you're in Chinatown.
WORTH STEPPING OUT FOR
If you like shopping, Melbourne Central is one street away and the glam new Emporium a couple of blocks beyond that and they all connect up entirely under cover. If you like avoiding shopping, there are cinemas at Melbourne Central and just as close is the State Library; a treasure trove of books, periodicals and art. A little further on but still within easy reach are the MCG one way or the Melbourne Museum the other.
THE VERDICT
From our top floor apartment, there are terrific views in some directions, but there are views straight into the apartments of the block next door if you look the other way. This part of town doesn't sparkle like the top end around Spring and Collins streets or have the action of the area closest to Crown Casino, but it's still full of life and choices.
HOW TO GET THERE
Brady Hotels Central Melbourne is at 30 Little Latrobe Street; the block between Elizabeth and Swanston streets. Melbourne Central station is just over Latrobe Street or it's a straightforward taxi ride from Melbourne Airport. Hotel guests can access a car park in Latrobe Street for $20 per 24 hours.
ESSENTIALS
Standard rooms from $159 per night, studio apartments from $189 and the two-bedroom executive apartments on the 16th floor start at $389 per night. To its great credit, Brady offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building. See bradyhotels.com.au.
The writer was a guest of Brady Hotels.
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