After months of staying home, who isn’t dreaming of taking a luxurious trip to somewhere new? While we still can’t travel abroad, rediscovering a city you thought you knew can help keep the wanderlust at bay – especially in one of Melbourne’s best new five-star hotels (if we do say so ourselves).

There’s nothing quite like waking up in exquisite surroundings, indulging in a delicious breakfast and stepping out to explore. Next Hotel Melbourne – arguably the most sophisticated of the city’s new luxury hotels – skews more boutique luxury than corporate opulence, providing more of an intimate and stylish sanctuary to base yourself for a reinvigorating Melbourne experience or stay-cation.

Suite location…80 Collins Melbourne

We’re nestled within the new 80 Collins precinct that has added even more star power to the ‘Paris end of Melbourne CBD, step through our discreet street-level entrance on Little Collins where your retreat from the every day truly begins.

Arrive at the second-floor reception where you’ll be transported to a slice of Milan meets Shanghai but also immersed in something uniquely Melbourne.

Our hotel’s location was the inspiration for the acclaimed design team from Woods Bagot. Chinatown and Melbourne’s designer fashion district were a rich contextual source, with bespoke ceramic lights, Chinese-inspired custom rugs and richly coloured joinery elements throughout our hotel’s stylish spaces paying homage to the area’s historically creative hub.

The sites fascinating past as a Horse Bazaar in the 1800s was also uncovered during the design process, inspiring the designers to reference the past-time of trading horses into multiple material and detail choices that draw on horse riding and stables.

Suite furnishings…

Understated and elegant, our interior details nod to the couture end of Collins Street famous for its line-up of French design houses – you’ll notice detailed stitching, textured fabrics, French bed linens and buttery leather cushions feature in our carefully curated furnishings.

With coloured cabinet linings and tables reference the lacquer finishes of Chinese cabinets and the use of deep reds, jade greens and hints of marble throughout conjure the luxury of the Orient in the 1880s. It’s an artful blend of design details that create a restful retreat.

French linen bedding and Chanel inspired tweed bedheads

Suite Views…

Guest rooms and suites at Next Hotel Melbourne continue to take guests away from the day-to-day. Ask for a higher floor to ensure an outlook on the city you’ve not seen before – with views stretching out through cityscapes to gaze out to the Royal Botanic Gardens, watch trams snake their way through Melbourne CBD or even look beyond to Port Phillip Bay.

Suite Refreshments

Reach for specially curated refreshments to refuel post-shopping or pour a pre-dinner drink – but don’t expect the traditional hotel room minibar. Amongst the gourmet snacks, suites feature George Jenson cocktail mixing stations complete with our own bottled cocktails. A first of its kind in scale, spirits and cocktails are specially matured and aged in our in-house Barrel Room by our Spirits Master Phil Smithers, who ensures a different lineup of classic drinks are made available to guests suites depending on the season and what’s drinking best.

George Jenson cocktail mixing station with La Madonna Negroni from the minibar

Look out for these suite details…

There are also espresso machines, a collection of specially sourced local herbal teas, Kombuchas and tinctures, tempting Koko Black chocolates and a Bose sound system in your room. Pinterest worthy bathrooms boast a rain shower, deep soaking tub, a Dyson hairdryer and straighteners plus heavenly Melbourne based Hunter Lab products (in eco-wise sizes) to ensure your home-away-from-home for the night – or several days – has all the extra touches you desire.

Suite access to The Club

Our suite guests also enjoy complimentary access to The Club – yet another stylish sanctuary to gather and refuel. Plot the day ahead over a complimentary Continental Breakfast in our Manhattan loft-style surrounds and retreat at the day’s end with aperitivo.

Each evening from 5-7pm, hotel guests can undertake the Italian tradition of aperitivo – a coming together at the end of the day over a glass of wine and a small bite. Unwind from a day of discovering the Melbourne Museum, National Gallery of Victoria or the MCG – settle into your favourite spot in The Club lounge, pour yourself a glass from one of the carefully selected Victorian wines and delight in an appetising array of antipasto.