Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Le Méridien Melbourne, marking the brand’s debut in Australia.
The hotel enjoys a prime location overlooking Parliament House, Spring Street and the east of Melbourne. Originally built as a hotel in the 1850s, the site has been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s arts and culture scene. Retaining the original Art Deco façade paired with chic mid-century interiors, the 12-story building designed by Peddle Thorp, brings a sense of glamour and theater to Bourke Street. Returning to its original interpretation as a hotel, Le Méridien Melbourne pays homage to its history through its design, art installations and culinary collaborations. Guests are greeted to a private porte-cochère driveway with a mural by local artist Stephen Baker, before entering the lobby filled with mid-century-inspired furniture, polished natural stone and terrazzo. A large-scale sculptural installation by Marta Figueiredo and projected video art by Wendy Yu introduces lobby visitors to Le Méridien’s global “Unlock Art” program, which connects guests with the “Art of Noticing” self-guided walking tour and complimentary art gallery, all accessible by presenting their “Unlock Art” room key.
The property has 235 guestrooms, including 14 suites. All guestrooms have signature beds, bath amenities, speakers, 55-inch LCD TVs, signature cocktails by The Everleigh Bottling Co., a personal coffee machine with artisan coffee pods, and a working desk. Suites additionally offer black stone kitchenettes, appliances, luxury barware, a selection of art books, oak board games and turntables with a selection of vinyls from artists such as Prince and James Brown, who once performed on-site.
Le Splash, the rooftop pool and terrace, hosts an additional large-scale mural by Stephen Baker and houses an open-air bar serving cocktails, poolside snacks and local gelato flavors from Le Scoop by Le Méridien. There will also be a seasonal pop-up cinema on the rooftop that will launch later this year in collaboration with “Melbourne International Film Festival” and “French Film Festival.” Adjoining the pool deck is a 24-hour gym, complete with virtual personal trainers and a sauna.
Intermission is a lobby café serving barista-brewed Axil coffee by day, and transforms into a wine bar by night, offering petit plates and an extensive list of local and imported rosé wines. In the subterranean level, low-lit restaurant, Dolly, serves elevated European dishes by Executive Chef Christian Graebner, accompanied by an extensive wine list and signature cocktails.
Good to know: The hotel offers 4,520 square feet of total conference space, with the largest presenting 1,959 square feet that can be divided into two rooms. A dedicated meetings floor has four additional rooms and three private working booths. Facilities include on-site parking, high-speed internet access and the latest audio and video equipment.
For more information, visit www.lemeridienmelbourne.com.
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