STARS IN THE CITY

GT checks in on Melbourne’s latest wave of luxury hotel openings.

- JOANNA HUNKIN & ANNA MCCOOE

All over Melbourne doors are swinging open. Grand doors; attached to impressive thresholds; ushered by uniformed porters smoothing the transition from street to splendour. The year’s first landmark hotel opening (technically a reopening) belonged to The Royce in February, a dapper boutique stay, just south of the river in 3004 (the suburb of Melbourne). Then came the Marriotts, and the many pedigreed personalities belonging to the dynasty.

In March this charge was led by the Australian return of Le Méridien, as the French-born stable brought a mid-century sensibility to the footsteps of the old Palace Theatre. A week later Champagne bottles were popping open again. This time for Marriott’s illustrious big hitter The Ritz-Carlton, which lends its sparkle to the CBD’s new leisure and hospitality precinct, West Side Place.

So that’s three, two, one and boom. Melbourne is having an upscale hotel moment. The Dorsett will come next, as a four-star neighbour to The Ritz-Carlton. Down the track in 2025, Australia’s first Six Senses will hit the city outskirts at Burnham Beeches, the mansion previously owned by Shannon Bennett. Then in 2027, a Four Seasons Hotel is set to rise up in STH BNK By Beulah, slated to be Australia’s tallest tower on completion.