The other end of Melbourne, the West End of town, a precinct less trodden adjacent to Spencer Street (Southern Cross) Station, the bustling transit hub for travellers coming and going from regional Victoria.
Lately this part of the city has enjoyed a revitalisation of sorts and there’s no better time to explore Melbourne as it opens back up for the umpteenth time, after the worlds longest, consecutive lockdown.
There has been a steady amount of International Hotels and luxurious apartments opening in the Spencer Street precinct, from the glamorous W hotel to the classic Movenpick Hotel. The Savoy has long taken pride of place and there’s plans afoot for the iconic Ritz-Carlton Hotel set to follow.
We opt to stay at the newly opened Movenpick Hotel, otherwise known as the chocolate hotel, complete with chocolate happy hour and decadent treats on arrival.
Directly opposite Spencer Street (Souther Cross) Station the striking building boasts high ceilings and floor to ceiling glass and is complimented by warm pastels, parquetry floors, symmetrical wallpaper and plush furnishings.
The rooms are generous in size, moody yet bright and are adorned with copper fittings, marble bathrooms and jade green furnishings. There is an indoor, outdoor pool that looks down onto the bustling laneways and iconic Melbourne trams.
The on-site restaurant Miss Mi opened with gusto, bursting with fresh Asian flavours and a menu curated by Borneo chef Esca Khoo. The colourful lobby bar is the place to meet and offers a daily complimentary chocolate aperitif hour for hotel guests.
A short stroll across the bridge to Southbank we dine at the world renowned Nobu Japanese eatery, located riverside in the Crown Casino complex. Captivated by dishes like Black Cod Miso and Lobster Tempura with Tamari Honey, the menu is threaded with fresh, regional flavours.
Wandering back across the river from South Bank to the CBD, on a balmy Melbourne night the city is alive, the bridges are adorned with festoon lighting and illuminated sculptures light up the river.
We book to see the coveted exhibition of local artist Patricia Piccinini’s which has popped up in the abandoned art deco ballroom above Flinders Street station. In typical Melbourne style the derelict building compliments Piccinini’s ethereal, life like artworks that she is revered for.
The gentrification of this end of town has been likened to the Paris or Manhattan of Melbourne and has book ended the city. From the theatre district on Spring Street walk the long streets of Collins and Little Collins and the Laneways of Flinders and Degraves.
Explore a new, vibrant precinct-the Spencer Street end of town.
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Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne Website