This was published 1 year ago
Melbourne's hotel boom continues with The Royce Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton and Le Meridien all opening
The Royce is in a former 1920s luxury car dealership.
It may seem like Melbourne's prolific new hotel boom has come out of nowhere, but it didn't. Between 2009 and 2019, there was a huge surge in visitors to the city, the number of travellers from overseas doubling, while the rate of domestic visitation increased by an incredible 70 per cent. The ensuing hotel room demand was met with short supply, particularly at the high end.
Developers and hotel companies got busy and, despite the COVID-19 lockdown years, voila – hotel boom.
Commendably though, the city's notable new hotels are far from slap-dash. They have by and large been well-thought out, well-designed, and beautifully executed, adding a host of well-regarded establishments to the accommodation assemblage.
The new Le Meridien opened on March 16.
But wait, there's more. Early 2023 marks the arrival of three significant five-stars. Behold, hotel lovers, The Royce Hotel Melbourne, The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne and Le Meridien Melbourne.
The Royce was the first of the three to welcome guests on February 1. The hotel in a former 1920s luxury car dealership on St Kilda Road just south of the Shrine of Remembrance has received one almighty redo, now glittering a Golden Age opulence across 94 guest rooms, including 18 suites, and an array of public spaces. Its original heritage features shine amid the trappings of contemporary luxury.
March 16 marked the arrival of Le Meridien back in town, the hotel group of French origin (now under the umbrella of Marriott) absent from Melbourne since the stunning historic wool stores property it inhabited became the InterContinental in 2008.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne is giddying, both in luxury and elevation.
The new Le Meridien opened on March 16 up the other end of town, in a former landmark theatre at 20 Bourke Street, a short distance from Spring Street.
Inspired by the establishment of the brand in 1960s Europe, the 235 rooms and suites are done in a mid-century style. There's a ground floor cafe and bar, a restaurant, and a rooftop pool deck overlooking Bourke Street, Parliament House and the Fitzroy Gardens.
And March 23 will mark the arrival of Ritz-Carlton in the Victorian capital. The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne is giddying, both in luxury and elevation, with a lobby on level 80 of the new mixed-use development West Side Place and 257 rooms and suites on the floors below with a spa on level 64 accompanied by a stunning heated infinity pool.
The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne's dining is under the direction of one of Australia's most lauded and awarded chefs, Mark Best, in partnership with executive chef Michael Greenlaw, overseeing a range of eating and drinking options, including the signature restaurant Atria on level 80.
But the hotel's ground level presence is striking as well, with a real sense of landmark and arrival on busy Lonsdale Street.
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