Melbourne, Australia
I recently spent four nights in Melbourne, Australia, at the brand new hotel Melbourne Place. We had been to Australia twenty-five years ago but never to Melbourne—just Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef—and I completely fell for the city.
Arriving in Melbourne
Arriving in Melbourne was a smooth experience, especially with the automated customs process available for American passport holders. Despite ongoing airport construction, which is expected to continue until 2026, everything moved quickly.
We were able to find our driver right away, but getting to his car involved a bit of a journey. Due to the construction, we had to take two elevators and walk quite a distance. If you're arriving with a lot of luggage, you might find an Uber to be a better option. It was about a 10-12 minute walk, so not terrible, but it's something to keep in mind.
Our 15-hour flight from Los Angeles with United had a female captain, which was wonderful to see. As a little token of appreciation, we always gift Starbucks cards to the pilots and crew on these long flights. This time, the captain showed me around the cockpit, and we took a photo together. It’s a small gesture, but the crews on these long-haul flights work incredibly hard—it’s an easy way to show gratitude.
Melbourne Place
When selecting a hotel, I knew I wanted something boutique after looking at larger hotels like the Park Hyatt and The Langham, but these and many of the larger hotels had over 200 rooms, which wasn't quite what I was looking for. I ultimately chose Melbourne Place, a modern, hipster-style hotel in a fantastic location just north of the Yarra River.
The hotel has a compact, minimalist lobby with concrete and brick finishes. There's no official bellman, as the reception team also handles luggage, but they were very accommodating and quickly arranged for our room to be inspected so we could check in early and freshen up.
We were staying for four nights, and I booked a Horizon Suite for myself and my husband and an Urban Room for our son. Surprisingly, my son’s room was better outfitted than our suite: while the design was great, with dark wood, bronze walls, and chic burnt orange and deep purple accents, the suite didn’t have adequate storage. There were no drawers and only one small closet with a safe that was difficult to access. On the other hand, the Urban Room, though significantly smaller, had a proper dresser, drawers, and more closet space. If I were to book again, I’d likely recommend the deluxe room over the suite.
Tip — If you’re considering a suite, I suggest calling ahead to inquire about drawer space, as living out of a suitcase for several nights isn’t ideal, especially if you are traveling with larger bags as we were.
The bathroom of our suite was a highlight, featuring dual sinks and a large, freestanding gray bathtub with a concrete-like finish, which I absolutely loved. The minibar was complimentary, excluding alcohol, but only offered a bag of popcorn and a bag of chips.
One of the biggest draws of Melbourne Place was its fantastic location. It was incredibly easy to grab an Uber or walk to restaurants, coffee shops, designer stores, and chic bakeries. While there’s no dedicated concierge, the reception team was helpful with basic recommendations. The lack of a pool was a downside, especially in the summer, but the location more than made up for it.
The rooftop deck at Mid Air was another highlight—well done and fun. They serve breakfast up there in the morning, and in the evening, it transforms into a bustling bar with a great vibe. Mid Air does get loud at night, so I’d recommend requesting a room that is not directly above the roof.
That being said, a major letdown for me was the gym. It was cramped, only about 12 by 18 feet, poorly lit, and had limited equipment—just a bike, treadmill, and Pilates machine squeezed together, with no space for a mat.
Other Hotel Options
I checked out a few while I was touring the city. When I visited the Park Hyatt, I was shocked by its outdated condition. The pool area and locker rooms felt like they hadn’t been updated since the 80s, with peeling paint and an overall tired vibe. I honestly can't believe any luxury travel agent would recommend this hotel.
The Ritz-Carlton seemed promising based on reviews, especially regarding the rooms, but for me, the location was a dealbreaker. While the property itself was nice, it’s situated in the business district, making it less convenient to walk to nearby coffee shops, stores, and restaurants. If luxury is your main focus (and you're okay with relying on Ubers), it could still be a great choice.
The Royce, located in a high-rise residential area on a major road, felt like it was in the middle of nowhere—with little to do around it. Although the interior had been recently renovated with a stylish Art Deco vibe, something about the atmosphere felt off. It felt very quiet and didn’t have the inviting energy I hoped for. However, there was a stunning room with floor-to-ceiling windows at the back, where breakfast was served. All in all, The Royce seemed to be a beautiful option, though I didn’t see the rooms themselves.
I’ve heard a lot about The Langham, and I have a friend staying there soon. If you're considering it, stay tuned: I'll update this post with their thoughts after their stay.
As for Melbourne Place, it's a well-designed boutique hotel in a fantastic location, but it's not without its drawbacks. It had only been open for a few months when we visited, so it was still a bit rough around the edges. For a short stay with light luggage, it’s a great option. However, if you're staying longer or have multiple bags, the lack of storage can be a bit frustrating. Additionally, if you’re expecting a concierge, a gym, and true 5-star service, Melbourne Place isn’t quite it. I did hear it’s for sale, though, so it’s possible the new owners could make positive changes. When compared to other boutique hotels in Melbourne, though, Melbourne Place still stands out for its modern, stylish appeal. If you’re booking, I’d recommend the deluxe room over the suite unless you can confirm that the suites now have better storage.
Restaurants & Shops
While I’m not a huge coffee person, I drank a lot of coffee in Melbourne to help with the time change and jet lag. Patricia Coffee Brewers in the CBD was adorable and only a few blocks from The Melbourne Place—the taste was great, and the vibe was super cute.
We visited the Morning Market for a light brunch. It’s a cute spot for sandwiches or salads, and the chicken salad sandwich was a hit. Located on Gertrude Street, it’s near Cutler & Co, its renowned sister restaurant. We didn’t dine there, but I’ve heard amazing things.
Located within walking distance from Melbourne Place, Carlton Wine Room is a great lunch spot. It’s casual yet has delicious food, with appetizers like fresh sourdough topped with anchovies and cucumber. The steak skewers were definitely the highlight.
Lagotto is a charming, casual Italian restaurant in the eclectic neighborhood of Fitzroy. We ate outside, given how nice the weather was, but I recommend eating indoors—the view is of the parking lot. The food, especially the pasta, was excellent.
Afterward, we headed to Pidapipo, just a short walk away. This gelato is among the best I've ever had. It’s a quirky and busy spot offering handmade gelato with a playful twist. They also offer beautiful chocolates and gift-worthy desserts. A must-visit for gelato lovers!
Cumulus, Inc was our final dinner spot. With its minimalist industrial vibe, It's a 10-minute walk from the hotel. I had the tuna tartare with goat's curd and mint, which was good, but nothing stood out as extraordinary.
Marmelo, located right next to The Melbourne Place, offers a chic setting with wood-fired Portuguese cuisine. The food, including the pork chop, tuna crudo, and tomato rice, was tasty but not exceptional. It’s a lovely spot for a first-night meal near the hotel.
Lune Croissanterie is a must-visit for pastry lovers. With locations in Melbourne and Sydney, their croissants are considered some of the best in Australia, and even the world. The chocolate croissant was particularly outstanding. If you love pastries, don’t miss it, and don’t be intimidated by the line! It moved very quickly.
Fun Fact— The owner and chef of Lune used to be an F1 engineer. She decided to quit F1 and go into baking!
We were recommended to visit Victor Churchill, a renowned steakhouse in Armadale, and it did not disappoint. Be sure to make a reservation, as it’s quite popular. The bresaola and parmesan “cigars” appetizer was fantastic, and while the steaks were good, they didn’t quite wow me. However, I had the best cauliflower I've ever tasted—an unusual mix between cauliflower and broccoli, served with a creamy sauce. The crispy fries and the jamon iberico puffs were both excellent . The atmosphere is chic and polished; they spent $3 million on the decor, and it really shows.
They also offer takeout sandwiches, and the attached butcher is a local favorite, with plenty of people coming in to pick up meat. It would be heavy for a lunch meal, so I recommend spending an afternoon in Armadale and then having dinner at Victor Churchill.
Ruben’s Deli is another must-stop. It has delicious bagels and lox (more so for carry-out), and the interior was just adorable.
Activities
Shopping
Armadale, an upscale suburb just outside of Melbourne, is anchored by its vibrant main street, High Street. Only a twenty-minute Uber ride from the CBD, the area is home to a mix of charming boutiques, trendy cafes, stylish restaurants, and beauty spots, making it an ideal spot for an afternoon of exploring. With Australian designer shops and plenty of local gems, High Street is definitely worth a visit. Here are some of my favorites:
The Curated: a clothing store with beautiful jackets and coats (think Max Mara but ½ the price)
Mecca: a beauty shop that reminded me of an Australian version of Sephora, featuring lots of cool brands
Stylerunner: sneakers and fun sportswear
Aje: feminine clothing and dresses
Venroy: beachy clothing for men and women (think linen shirts and beach accessories)
Missy Lui’s: an adorable nail salon
Maison Balzac: a home goods store that had amazing glasses, pitchers, and tabletop pieces. They also have a location in Sydney.
Tip— The US dollar is currently very strong compared to the Australian dollar, so with the VAT many designer items were twenty percent less than they typically would be.
Golf
Australia is home to some incredible golf courses, and if you’re a golfer, it’s definitely worth taking advantage of the variety on offer. My husband and son played golf twice while we were in Melbourne: first at The Royal Melbourne, where the west course is ranked #6 in the world, and then at Kingston Heath, where the 2028 Presidents Cup is taking place.
Tip— If you want to play golf in Australia and New Zealand at a top course, my recommendation is to ask a pro at your usual club to contact the club you are looking to play at with information about you and your skill level. With this kind of introduction, most clubs would then give you access to play (with the typical fees, of course).
The NGV Museum
Checking out a few exhibits at the NGV Museum is a must-do. While we were there, the NGV was displaying the largest Kusama exhibit ever, as well as a cute, interactive exhibit that displayed pictures of your pets. Starting in March, they are showing an exhibit by Martin Grant, a designer born in Melbourne. He is ridiculously talented (and was also the artistic director for Barney's private label for a decade). I was sad to miss this one!
Tip— Check out the museum store! I picked up some really cute gifts there.
Japanese Head Spa
In the past few years, I have heard about a new spa treatment called the Japanese Head Spa. A few places offer it in NYC, but there was a long waiting list each time I tried to book. It was much easier to secure an appointment in Australia, where more spas offer the service. The one I visited was only a 6-minute drive from Armadale.
Hikari, the spa, was located in a small strip mall that initially gave me pause. The area seemed rundown, with vacant storefronts and some questionable characters hanging around. When my Uber dropped me off, I was hesitant, but as soon as I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised: the space was bright, modern, and clean. I was led to a private room on the first floor, where a technician used a wand attached to a camera to examine my hair follicles and new growth. She could tell when the last time I had washed my hair was just by looking at the follicles, which I thought was impressive.
After this initial consultation, I was taken upstairs to a spa-like room featuring a unique “head massage table.” It was similar to a regular massage table, but at the end was a hair-washing sink with a curved hose-like instrument that sprayed water at the perfect temperature while the technician massaged my scalp. The entire treatment lasted about an hour and was incredibly relaxing. At the end of the session, I was guided back downstairs to a room with hair accessories and blow dryers where I could dry my hair. While this particular spa didn’t offer professional blowouts, other locations provide that option.
I would go to a head spa again—not as a weekly treatment, but occasionally! I would love to try one in NY, LA, or Tokyo, as I’m sure they are all a bit different.
Pt. Leo Estate
One activity that I had wanted to do was a day trip to Pt. Leo Estate. Sadly, we didn’t have time on this trip, but visitors typically travel an hour to an area south of Melbourne called Mornington Peninsula. Pt. Leo Estate has a gorgeous sculpture garden and vineyard—a wonderful place to have lunch and walk around.
Restaurant Recommendations
I was given this list of restaurants and bars from a local. While I didn’t have time to visit all of them, I included the list below in case you are looking for further recommendations.
South of the Yarra – Food
Maha East
Bar Carolina
France-Soir
Neighbourhood Pizza
Neighbourhood Wine
Entrecote
Freddys
Gilson
Tivoli Road Bakery
Bar Liberty
Movida
Cutler & Co.
Supernormal
City Wine Shop
Butchers Diner
South of the Yarra – Drinks
Dons
Alberts
Wallys
Central Business District – Food
Tipo 00
Reed House
Gimlet
Hardware Club
Embla
Central Business District – Drinks
Siglo
Kirk’s Wine Bar
City Wine Shop
North of the Yarra – Food
Brico
Florian
Capitano
Alimentari
North of the Yarra – Drinks
Old Palm Liquor
Lenny’s Wine Room
Fraek Vin
Henry Sugar
All in all…
Melbourne offers a vibrant blend of culture and food that would make me love to return. The food scene was fantastic, and the city's coffee culture was a highlight. Compared to Sydney, Melbourne feels more compact and culturally rich; Sydney is larger, more spread out, and offers an entirely different vibe with its numerous neighborhoods and towns. For anyone planning a trip, I’d recommend spending at least three or four nights to experience Melbourne truly. Stay tuned for next week, when I'll dive into all that Sydney has to offer!