If you're a Melburnian looking for a new staycation destination, you'll can now add the first Victorian venue from hotel chain W Hotel to your must-stay list. And if you're from elsewhere in Australia and you're planning a trip to the city, you can pair your next visit with drinks in a laneway bar, a dip in a sky-high pool and striking views.
First announced in 2020, and now up and running as of February 2021, W Melbourne has opened in Flinders Lane, with 294 guest rooms and 29 suites. Following W Brisbane's ten-gallon baths, the Melbourne digs are no less indulgent — including an 'Extreme Wow Suite', which has its own 40-square-metre balcony with views of the Yarra, a jukebox and cocktail bar.
Designed by local architect and interior design firm Hachem, W Melbourne also houses a 14th-floor spa, gym and a heated indoor pool with a gold-adorned roof, as well as a poolside bar and DJ decks. And, for those needing function space, W has a heap of it — a 830-square metre space for conferences, meetings, weddings or holding lush balls.
On the food and drinks front, the site will eventually boast four in-house venues to choose from — with two up and running now. Already pouring drinks is bar Curious, which you'll find down a laneway and through a secret entrance. It's designed to look like a cocoon, and comes fitted out with dark hues, moody lighting and quite a display of wooden beams overhead. On the menu: cocktails inspired by Melbourne's love of coffee, art and fashion; plus oysters, charcuterie, cheese, and cold and hot small bites.
Or, you can opt for a meal at Lollo, with the all-day dining venue under the direction of chef Adam D'Sylva. For breakfast, its range spans the likes of brekky pizza and Indian-style eggs, while duck lasagne, asparagus tortellini, grilled octopus and steak tartare feature on the menu throughout the rest of the day.
Come May, the 30-seat Warabi will be your go-to for Japanese fine dining, with the intimate space also featuring a private space for ten. And, Culprit will flip from a cafe during the day to a wine bar at night — complete with a floor-to-ceiling charcuterie display and a vermouth tasting tray.
Design-wise, the hotel goes heavy on Victorian bluestone tiles, glass and wood, and celebrates the city it calls home. So, you can expect to see a lenticular art installation by local artist Rus Kitchin, which creates a canopy of Australian flora and fauna; in-room wall graphics featuring fairy wrens, which are native to our shores; and design details inspired by Melbourne's street-level newspaper kiosks.
W Melbourne is now open at 408 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.