The 1913 building oozes old-world opulence.
Review
Rendezvous Melbourne
Check-in
This grand dame nestled on the edge of the Yarra River was once the meeting place of travelling salesmen in its original guise as the Commercial Travellers Association (CTA). The 1913 building oozes old-world opulence from every ornate crevice. After decades of neglect, the complex was nursed back to glory, and since being acquired by Singapore-based Rendezvous Hotels it's been modernised again, this time with an emphasis on creating cohesion between the heritage and newer wings. The property's storied history is a big part of the appeal; past visitors include British royalty, and management hasn't ruled out one day reactivating the ninth-floor rooftop space that once famously featured a netted cricket pitch.
The Look
Rendezvous’ historic grand vestibule.
Rendezvous’ light-filled lobby space, with its grand white coffered ceilings and elegantly masculine plaid carpeted Traveller’s Bar, eases guests into the past with a dose of modern flair. These understated nods to a bygone era do little to prepare you for the scale and splendour of the adjacent Grand Vestibule, the beating heart of the property. There seems to be some confusion on how to best use the cathedral-esque space – sparsely placed armchairs and tables cower beneath a double-storey domed ceiling, encircled by eight marble columns. It’s one of the earliest and most extraordinary examples of Australian Edwardian baroque architecture; intricate gum leaf designs in the cornices, ceilings, stained-glass windows and chandelier complete an eclectic patchwork of polished wood, Monaco-imported tilework and a stairwell modelled on the Titanic. It’s truly one for the architecture buffs.
The Room
My Edwardian King balcony room in the heritage wing has extraordinary five-metre-high ceilings and two sets of double doors that spill out onto an oversized Yarra-facing balcony. Some naughty cockatoos have been pecking at the building's new artificial stone facade, evidenced by a pile of debris on my balcony, but my view of beautiful Flinders Street Station more than compensates. All 340 rooms have been given a contemporary spruce-up; mine is an autumnal wash of khaki, gold, cream and dark wood furnishings, softened by a floral high-back armchair and plush headboard. There's a desk, a full-length mirror, tea and coffee making facilities, and a smart TV with Chromecast. The ensuite, with its single vanity and shower, can feel a bit poky and impractical while getting ready (shelf real estate for toiletries and styling tools is scarce).
Food + Drink
There are few properties better equipped to serve up a grand high tea. Rendezvous keeps things traditional, with three dainty tiers of sangas, scones and sweets teamed with a glass of champagne ($59), and an option to make it bottomless ($79). Room service options are decent: a pork and duck liver parfait with squishy brioche makes for decadent grazing, while a ricotta gnocchi ticks all the comfort boxes, brightened with lime and spinach gremolata.The property's upmarket restaurant Mr Tompkins is now finally taking dinner bookings, Wednesday to Saturday, with Euro-leaning dishes like the scallops with smoked mussel chowder and coq au vin with pommes fondant. Expect to pay close to $100 a person for three-courses, before drinks.
Out + About
The central CBD position means most of Melbourne's popular entertainment, shopping and dining precincts are within walking distance; Flinders Street Station is only a few minutes' stroll away.
The Verdict
Sure, there are more luxurious and food-forward properties in the CBD. But it's easy to be romanced by Rendezvous' history and stateliness; the property's revamp is simply beautiful.
The Essentials
Rates start at $215 a night. A night in one of the heritage Edwardian rooms starts from $270. 328 Flinders Street, Melbourne. See rendezvousmelbourne.com.au
Highlight
The exclusive Yarra River-facing balcony rooms feel obscenely luxurious.
Lowlight
Those snug ensuites can feel a little less than luxurious at best; cramped at worst. The trade-off is, of course, those five metre ceilings.
Our Rating Out Of Five
★★★½
Katherine Scott was a guest of the Rendezvous Melbourne.
See also: One Melbourne tram gives you the best of the city in a single route
See also: Review: Melbourne's new five-star hotel ticks all boxes (except one)
Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter
Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now.