For a taste of inner city luxury, you can’t go past W Melbourne. The hotel, which opened in February of 2021, packs 294 guest rooms, 29 suites, a secret bar, a premium restaurant and a sexy top-floor pool into its Flinders Lane digs – and still manages to feel boutique rather than behemoth.
Every detail at the W Melbourne has been carefully considered, meticulously placed and kept affectionately local. Its design takes inspiration from Melbourne’s laneway culture, with little nods to our city throughout the venue. From the wardrobes that look remarkably like Melbourne’s streetside kiosks to the street art-style works of a female affectionately called “Mel” that adorn many of the hotel’s walls, you can tell this is a place that likes to have a bit of fun.
And with the kind of rooms the W is offering, you'll probably have a bit of fun as well. Floor-to-ceiling windows feature in every room, as do colourful fixtures, while king-size beds lure you into a content slumber. But it’s the bathrooms that really impress: each room is fixed with a Japanese Toto toilet (yes, the ones with a bidet and heated seats!). The remainder of the bathroom is equally as fabulous, with luxe Davines bath amenities on hand to keep you smelling delightful.
There’s a fitness centre on level 14 alongside what might be the cherry on top of this entire hotel: a gorgeous, gold-roofed indoor pool with a poolside bar and a DJ booth. The pool is pleasantly warm and accessible 24/7 (just be warned that there’s no one supervising you in the wee hours of the morning).
No, we were lying. The actual cherry on top is the W's dining venues. Lollo is the hotel’s main restaurant, and it's led by chef de cuisine, Xavier Tocco. It's a fusion of classic Italian and modern Australian with a focus on fresh local produce. The open theatre kitchen adds dramatic flair, while the drinks list is a celebration of Victoria's best wine, beer and spirits.
Then there’s the much-lauded secret bar. Wander down the staircase on Market Street towards Curious, a dimly lit underground haunt. This year's menu theme is based on nostalgia, so expect bevvies that take you on a journey through time. Plus, the line-up of DJs and vinyl is always a good time here, so say goodnight to that early bedtime.
Let’s face it, even though Melbourne is easy to get around, we often don't want to travel far for our fun. With the W Melbourne, you really can comfortably spend your evening right here – sipping on a cocktail, eating a delicious meal, going for a late-night dip and then resting your head for another day.
Time Out tip: Head to the indoor pool before 7am for a solo swim, and you might even see hot air balloons pass by the windows.