While it's winter in the northern hemisphere, summer has arrived Down Under, which means its prime time for tourism. And in Victoria's bustling capital, Australia's first Le Meridien hotel offers a historic place to stay.
Having marked the arrival of the Marriott International brand in Australia when it opened its doors in March 2023, this pioneering hotel, housed in a former theatre, captivates guests with its European-inspired ambience, rooftop pool and exceptional dining experiences.
Nestled on vibrant Bourke Street, the building dates back to the 1850s and the landmark has previously been a hotel, cinema, theatre and nightclub. The five-star Le Meridien Melbourne pays homage to this history with quirky touches throughout, celebrating the building's unique past within the city's arts and culture scene.
The National checked in to find out more.
The welcome
Le Meridien Melbourne has two main entrances off Bourke Street, one directly on to the road and one just off the road that acts as a drop-off point for car access. Drawing on its culture-laden history, the hotel entrance mimics the architecture of a theatre where the Art Deco-style screen above the doorway, which would typically display a venue’s latest listings, instead brandishes the name of the hotel.
Stepping through the doors into reception, I find check-in is quick, friendly and efficient. Directly opposite three check-in desks is Intermission, an open-plan cafe inspired by the espresso bars of the 1950s that have become part of Melbourne’s fabric.
The artisan coffee, sandwiches and pastries on offer here are displayed high on the wall, again to mimic the style of a theatre listing display. During my stay, the cafe is frequented by guests and non-guests enjoying a coffee while flicking through a newspaper or delving into a novel.
The neighbourhood
The hotel is about a 25-minute car journey from Melbourne Airport and is centrally located, which means travellers have access to several shops, restaurants and cafes. The Imperial Arms, a Melbourne favourite, and the Hotel Windsor, one of the city’s oldest and most famous hotels, which is best known for its afternoon tea, are within a two-minute walk.
Across the road, you can find Parliament Gardens and the old Treasury building, a glorious Victorian structure steeped in history from the country’s colonial past.
There’s plenty to do in this part of town, whether it’s shopping at chic boutiques, visiting trendy cafes or taking in a show at a theatre or comedy club. Don’t miss the lanes, either. These side streets brim with art, artisanal cafes and more, and have in many ways come to define the city's vibe in recent years. There are plenty within walking distance from Le Meridien Melbourne. Finders Street Station, a grand Victorian transport hub that connects the entire city, is a 20-minute walk away making exploring further afield easy.
Sports fans will delight in the location as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, one of the biggest and most famous in the world, is visible from the hotel, and is a 30-minute walk away. The Rod Laver Arena, the home of the Australian Open tennis, is on the same park, and Melbourne also plays host to the Australian Grand Prix every year at the nearby Albert Park Circuit.
The room
The hotel's 235 rooms are spread across the building’s 12 floors, and my room on the 10th floor comes with magnificent views of the old Treasury. In keeping with the overall theme of the property, my suite has a distinct 1950s vibe to it with artwork from the period prominent. There is a lounge and kitchen area, complete with a plasma screen TV and working area. The bedroom has a separate TV screen in case you want to catch a film before bedtime, or take in the morning news before starting your day. With floor-to-ceiling windows in both areas, the room is filled with natural light, which creates an inviting atmosphere.
The bathroom has an impressive marble walk-in shower with a bath alongside it, and there is also a separate, smaller, toilet-only bathroom in the lounge area. A minibar stocked with various chargeable drinks and snacks, complimentary water and tea and coffee-making facilities are also available. A kitchen worktop, sink and microwave are handy if you want to dine in.
The service
Staff here are fun and friendly. Everywhere I go I’m met by a smile and a “hello”. It’s pleasant and it’s infectious. What’s more, something I didn’t appreciate before my arrival in Melbourne, is the intercity rivalry it has with Sydney. At every level, from housekeeping to restaurant management, Le Meridien’s staff appear incredibly proud of their city, and playfully ask for my thoughts on how it compares to its New South Wales rival (their delight apparent when I choose their home).
The scene
The fifth floor is the place to be in terms of facilities at Le Meridien Melbourne. This is where you'll find Le Splash Pool Bar, a rooftop pool bar and heated pool maintained at a pleasant 28°C year round. Opening to non-hotel guests for the first time this summer, it's one of the city's most popular venues, but on weekends it's exclusively for hotel guests to use.
Le Splash Pool Bar is a great place to unwind, sip on a drink or tuck into classic bar snacks accompanied by a lovely view of the old Treasury building to boot. But, for me, it’s the heated rooftop pool that steals the show. Admittedly my visit comes during the Australian winter, but the opportunity to go for an early morning or sunset swim in a heated pool that offers spectacular views of Melbourne in all its glory is too good to turn down.
There’s also a 24-hour gym with state-of-the-art equipment and a sauna.
The food
The main restaurant at Le Meridien Melbourne is Dolly, the hotel’s fine dining venue for dinner and breakfast. It's located on the basement floor, and the sense of theatre is revisited here as you make your way down an elaborate staircase from the reception area towards the restaurant.
For breakfast, it’s buffet-style led on the continental European concept alongside traditional British-inspired breakfast picks. There’s also a fruit station and an a la carte menu for egg-based dishes.
As for dinner, the restaurant presents a Mediterranean-Australian concept revolving around the theatre, with a menu divided into acts and pre-theatre dining specials. Highlights from the menu include celeriac and wild mushroom risotto (Dh92), local snapper (Dh114) and lobster medallion (Dh194). As for dessert, the bombe Alaska (Dh102) is an incredible option if you’re dining as a two, and you can’t go wrong with the classic tarte Tatin (Dh49).
For lower-key dining, Intermission in the reception area also serves pre-theatre snacks such as seasonal oysters and chicken drumsticks, and post-show bites including beef or vegan pie and classic croque-monsieur.
Highs and lows
The hotel's location in Melbourne is simply spectacular with plenty to do within walking distance. It’s also the ideal pick for theatre connoisseurs, and a must-visit for sports fans too. While my own suite had epic views, some other rooms have more restricted views.
The insider tip
If dining at Dolly, go for the pre-theatre timing of 5pm to 6pm if you can, even if that feels early. The atmosphere is fun and fervent and there are some reasonable dining packages on offer.
The verdict
Room-only prices start from Dh740 in low season; check-in from 3pm, checkout until 11am.
This review was conducted at the invitation of the hotel and reflects hotel standards during this time. Services may change in the future
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