This was published 2 years ago
Hotel review: Melbourne Marriott Docklands: New five-star hotel ticks all boxes (except one)
By Trudi Jenkins
The hotel's rooftop infinity pool.
THE PLACE
While Marriott already operates seven hotels in Melbourne including the W and The Westin, this Docklands iteration is its first Marriott-branded hotel to open in 20 years. Designed by DKO Architecture, it's a rather sleek addition to the portfolio: two curved towers wrapped in a translucent screen are topped by a rooftop infinity pool with views to the city and Bolte Bridge. The hotel is also home to Australia's first M Club - an executive lounge with complimentary breakfast, snacks and cocktails for select Marriott Bonvoy members. Completing the five-star offering are function rooms and a generously proportioned Fitness Centre incorporating the Technogym Excite Live platform (if that means anything to you).
THE LOCATION
A king room.
Unless you're going to an event at nearby Etihad stadium there's not a lot to attract you to this part of Docklands - the defunct Melbourne Star Observation Wheel seems to symbolise the problems the area has had attracting visitors, with many of the streets somewhat empty and windswept. COVID hasn't helped, obviously. On the upside, however, it's a short, free tram ride into the CBD with a tram stop mere steps from the hotel, and being on the city's western side (close to the M2) means you'll also likely have a very quick trip to and from the airport.
THE SPACE
For a traditionally business-like brand, there is a lot to like about the design touches here. Sculptural polished-brass works by Melbourne artist Alexander Knox, intended to echo the ruched sailcloth of yachts in the nearby harbour, cast decorative shadows while the overall aesthetic - a muted colour palette, lots of marble and feature pendant lights - is luxe and indulgent rather than the usual corporate bland.
Archers Restaurant,Credit:
THE ROOM
My king room has been well thought out, and contains everything you need and nothing you don't. There is a hugely comfortable bed, bathroom with shower, mini bar (with Made in Melbourne supplies), 55-inch LCD TV and all the standard extras such as ironing board and iron. Free high-speed Wi-Fi is included and instead of an outdated desk there is a round white table with two tan-coloured bucket chairs where you can work or eat. The floor-to-ceiling windows, timber flooring, dark grey tones and cobalt-blue rug give it a residential feel.
THE FOOD
Marriott has become known for elevating the hotel dining experience and this is no different. From the welcoming and quite glam lobby bar, Ada's (named after the Savoy London's first female head bartender back in 1903) to the laneway-style Corsia cafe with its St Ali coffee and very acceptable prosciutto, brie and tomato chutney panini, there is a pleasing level of detail here.
The set menu at Archer's restaurant encapsulates summer with a salad of heirloom vegetables with Yarra Valley goat's curd; roast Cone Bay barramundi with broad beans and lemon jam, and chicken with radicchio and sweetcorn - all well executed and matched with predominantly local wines. (There's also Sunset House, a bar adjacent to the rooftop pool but it was closed during my early-in-the-week visit.)
The most pleasant surprise, however, was finding society caterer Peter Rowland's famous chicken sandwiches on the room-service menu - a blissful change from a lukewarm BLT.
STEPPING OUT
The Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre is not far if you want to immerse yourself in the vibrant works of Van Gogh at THE LUME (until June 30), while at the Regent Theatre on Collins Street, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is getting good reviews. I was catching up with work colleagues so opted for an aperitif at France Soir in South Yarra, followed by a delicious (albeit rich) Kobe-beef-grilled-at-your-table Japanese dinner at Wagyu Ya, just a little further down Toorak Road.
THE VERDICT
The location is not Melbourne at its finest but this hotel ticks a lot of boxes for both the business and leisure traveller. Staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful. Beware the confusingly labelled lift buttons though - they were flummoxing many on my trip!
ESSENTIALS
Rooms start from $278 a night. 15 Waterfront Way, Docklands, Melbourne, VIC 3008. Phone (03) 8368 6000. See marriott.com
HIGHLIGHT The room-service Peter Rowland chicken sandwich.
LOWLIGHT The mini plastic amenity bottles in the bathroom.
Trudi Jenkins was a guest of Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands.
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