Melbourne Place, the city’s latest addition to its hospitality landscape, opened its doors last November at 130 Russell Street. Designed by local firm Kennedy Nolan, the 14-storey hotel pays homage to Melbourne’s historic architecture with its brick-and-masonry exterior, while introducing modern elements like a sculptural façade and large circular rooftop windows. The building’s design integrates traditional materials with contemporary aesthetics.
Inside, the hotel features 191 rooms and suites, each adorned with a warm palette of magenta, indigo, and green, complemented by Jarrah wood furnishings. The rooms are designed to offer a chic and calming retreat amidst the bustling city, with amenities like oversized soak tubs (yes, please) and custom-designed furniture by local artisans. It’s all very cool (this is Melbourne, after all).
The Rooms
We’re in the Everyday King, which feels more like a stylish flat than a hotel room. There’s an excellent bed (king-sized, Frette linen), urban views, and a sculptural armchair that’s not just there for show. A sleek desk makes it easy to set up with a laptop. The bathroom, with its Leif products and walk-in rain shower, is all clean lines and good lighting. Melbourne Place may be new, but it’s nailed the balance between comfort and cool.
The suites at Melbourne Place. Images: Anson Smart
The Dining Situation
Melbourne Place hosts three dining venues, each offering a unique culinary experience. On the rooftop, Mid Air, led by hatted chef Nick Deligiannis, serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes that blend flavors from Greece, Turkey, Spain, and Italy. The menu features items like baked eggs with chorizo and spanner crab rosti, all prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Yum. You’ll want to return time and again.
At street level, Marmelo, the first Melbourne venture by Ross and Sunny Lusted, offers a menu influenced by the coastal cuisines of Portugal and Spain. Dishes include wood-grilled southern calamari and suckling pig shoulder, cooked over a custom-built charcoal grill. The basement bar, Mr Mills, provides a late-night setting with Iberian-inspired small plates and an extensive cocktail menu.
There’s also Mr Mills, the basement supper club, where the vibe is darker, the cocktails stronger, and the Iberian menu better than it needs to be for a hotel bar.
The hospitality offering at Melbourne Place. Images: Kristoffer Paulsen
Celebrating Local Talent
Art plays a central role in Melbourne Place’s identity. Curated by MARS Gallery, the hotel showcases works by local artists, including vibrant portraits by Atong Atem displayed on each floor. The lobby features a two-storey digital screen exhibiting works from six Australian artists, reflecting the city’s dynamic art scene.
The hotel’s interiors continue this celebration of local craftsmanship, with custom furniture and fixtures designed by Australian artisans. From terrazzo tiles by Fibonacci to lighting by Volker Haug, each element contributes to a cohesive design that honours Melbourne’s creative community.
Modern Comforts
Beyond its design and culinary offerings, Melbourne Place provides a range of amenities for guests. If you’re the kind of person who packs their trainers and actually uses them, we admire you. The hotel features a 24-hour fitness center equipped with cardio machines and strength training equipment. For events, the Emerald space accommodates up to 250 guests and includes an open-air terrace overlooking Russell Street.
Sustainability is integral to Melbourne Place. The building is carbon neutral, incorporating features like passive solar shading and locally sourced materials to reduce its environmental impact. Garden spaces designed by Amanda Oliver bring greenery into the urban setting, enhancing the guest experience while promoting ecological responsibility.
Melbourne Place is the kind of hotel you recommend to friends who are over the big-name stays and want something more personal. It’s ideal for design lovers, work travellers who still want to enjoy themselves, and anyone with a soft spot for strong hospitality and great lighting.
No spa, no pool – but honestly, you won’t care. Not when you’re waking up in a Jardan chair with sun spilling across your bed, or sipping a spicy margarita on the rooftop.
To book, go to melbourneplace.com.au
