Karryon Luxury was one of the first to experience the highly anticipated 1 Hotel Melbourne – the sustainable hotel brand’s first Australian property. Come with us for a peek inside.
A concrete sculpture where native Australian plants weave through rocks speared through steel poles is your first foray into this new, urban garden-like riverside hotel in Docklands.
Don’t be fooled, though – while art, sculptures and plants seem to rule, it’s luxury all the way, from the river-facing rooms with their floor-to-ceiling glass bathroom walls, the uber local menu at signature restaurant From Here by Mike, and the sleek spa and indoor pool area with a beach club vibe.
Walking the sustainable talk
A 1942 industrial Malcolm Moore crane was key to the hotel design, restored and repositioned as a sculptural tribute to the area’s shipping – it’s just one example of how sustainability is at the hotel’s core, and you see it everywhere you go.
There are 7,000 plants and 4,500 square metres of reclaimed timber. The reception desk was made with repurposed elm trees from Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel works, and an artwork above it was crafted from 60 kilograms of textiles destined for landfill.
In the lounge, decommissioned railway bridges were used for the staircase. Even the floor was offcuts of timber hand-cut into small tiles.
Wining and dining
Days should start at Neighbours Café with its general store vibe.
When night falls, the main bar calls. With a wall of windows lined with greenery and intimate tables and couches dotted among native plants, you’ll feel like you’re anywhere but a bustling metropolis.
Dine at ‘From Here by Mike’ on dishes using local produce like Portarlington mussels, Port Phillip Bay calamari and Meredith Farm capretto. Match it with a wine from the curated list (40 percent of them are local), or a cocktail crafted with repurposed ingredients.
Upstairs is a speakeasy-style place aptly named ‘Upstairs’ – an intimate cocktail bar where you can also grab a bite to eat.
1 Hotels Director of Marketing Lara Mears-Dagan says rather than just for guest use, they’re wanting this to be a space for the local community.
“Our hope is that people come here for drinks after work, a meeting or lunch. We’re creating various events to help make that happen, whether it’s something small like a cocktail created specifically for the winter solstice, or something bigger like sound bath events.”
When wellness calls
With such a strong, sustainable ethos, you’d expect it to extend into wellness, and it doesn’t disappoint.
On Level 3, you’ll find a gym where you can work out to either a vertical garden of deep greens, or run on a treadmill to views across the river.
This level is also home to Bamford Wellness Spa, where you can have all-natural treatment, go for a swim in the indoor pool, or sit in the Jacuzzi-style spa and soak up the river views.
Room with a view
My room, a River Reserve King screams luxe Scandi-design with neutral tones and light wood accents everywhere, but the pièce de résistance has to be those views.
Check in at night and peel back the curtains to floor-to-ceiling windows giving way to the twinkling lights of the southern city’s skyline.
Oversized showers, a lounge area, and a desk make for ease of living, regardless of how long you’re staying – and believe me, you’ll want to linger in here.
The verdict
The perfect getaway for an eco-conscious couple seeking a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the central city.
Sip wines beside a wall of living greenery, join the new luxury revolution of genuinely giving back via the ‘1 Less Thing’ initiative, where you can leave behind a gently used piece of clothing (which is donated to charity), and dine on dishes knowing you’re supporting small, regional producers.
This hotel seems to have a heartbeat of its own.
The details
Address: 9 Maritime Place, Melbourne VIC 3008
Room type: River Reserve King
Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 11am
Rates: $400 – $6,500
For more information, visit 1 Hotel.
