The once-industrial shell of the Goods Shed No. 5 has been reborn as 1 Hotel Melbourne, but not before its bones were respectfully salvaged.Â
Railway timbers reappear as rich architectural details, while bluestone floors echo the city’s pavements. Towering ceilings and organic curves give the spaces room to breathe, while cleverly placed foliage guides your gaze through the ground floor. A palette of soft neutrals combines with warm light, and joinery designed to be touched, for a result that’s modern without feeling clinical.
The space
Conferencing rooms and a ballroom – plus a Docklands location offering easy access to the Exhibition Centre – mean you’re likely to see tech types and start-up founders tapping away on MacBooks in the leafy atrium.
You might also spot a pooch or two (the whole hotel is dog-friendly), aligning nicely with a self-care focus that highlights the pristine indoor swimming pool and dry sauna. The Bamford Wellness Spa offers Hydrafacials, while the vast gym’s views out to the Yarra River makes any treadmill run feel more like a walk in the park.
The rooms
With more than 7000 plants under its roof, 1 Hotel Melbourne is an urban sanctuary, with each timber- and greenery-lined room reflecting this. Guestrooms are spacious, and the grey hooded sweatshirt-style robes are a cool touch. You’ll also find the option to (purposely) leave behind a piece of clothing, which is then donated to charity, tying into the hotel’s stance on sustainability.
Food & drink
From Here by Mike sees chef Mike McEnearney connecting with growers, farmers and producers – a talent he’s honed over the years in Sydney, not least as curator at Carriageworks. Deploying his networking knack in Victoria means diners get to enjoy earthy Jerusalem artichokes from Mickael and Sam in Gippsland, which are wood-roasted and served with a knockout togarashi mayo; or twice-baked cheese soufflé, in which the cult marinated goat’s cheese from Meredith Dairy is transformed into an airy towering delight. There’s also the hip Neighbours Café, where you can order Melbourne’s signature brew, Magic, alongside green smoothies and pastries. For something stiffer Crane Bar & Lounge has a succinct cocktail menu, where medjool dates spruce up an Old Fashioned and Mount Zero olives localise Martinis.
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