A new hotel destination in St Kilda

If Kings Cross/Potts Point is your "go to" zone in Sydney and you like to stay in Fortitude Valley when in Brisbane then St Kilda might be your preferred place to lay your head in Melbourne.

Accor has announced a new chapter for the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel in the edgy beach suburb, which is currently undergoing a revamp led by owner ERDI, ahead of its reopening as Novotel St Kilda in October.

The transformation will see 80 re-designed guest rooms debut, "featuring a contemporary coastal palette to create calming spaces that support restorative sleep and everyday balance".

The hotel will feature a new conference and events facility for up to 140 guests, alongside a co-working space. Aa reimagined internal garden atrium will introduce natural light.

A new culinary destination, Urban Kitchen & Bar - St Kilda, is currently in development. The venue will seat up to 120 guests and include several private dining spaces.

ERDI has committed financial support to several local charities, including Sacred Heart Mission, The Mirabel Foundation, and St Kilda Mums.

“The transformation of this landmark property into Novotel St Kilda reflects the continued strength of Accor's network across the Pacific and our confidence in the Melbourne market,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“Novotel is a globally recognised brand that continues to evolve in step with the needs of today's travellers."

Novotel St Kilda has an opening offer from $299 per night. To book, visit novotelstkilda.com.au

Melbourne welcomes a new international hotel

Melbourne has a new international hotel with the opening of Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street on the edge of the CBD. 

Developed by Spacious Group with a $90 million investment, the 195-room property is being billed as the largest purpose-built hotel development to open in Melbourne CBD this year and the first new-build Mercure in the city centre in over a decade.

The 18-storey hotel features interiors designed by Sora Interiors and a hotel tower created by LiFE Architecture houses six suites, a restaurant and bar, and a gym. 

The lobby's aesthetic draws from the site's history as a tinsmith factory, most notably in an abstract artwork depicting tin offcuts that once would've littered the floors. 

The property' is a six-minute walk to Southern Cross Station, eight minutes to Marvel Stadium, and a 12-minute walk to Queen Victoria Market. 

“We're in a unique pocket of the city and are fortunate to have great separation between ourselves and other tall buildings on all sides,” said hotel GM Justin Phillips. “So no matter where you stay in the hotel, you've got great views, whether it's towards Docklands, back towards Flagstaff Gardens or views of the CBD and out towards North Melbourne.”

Guest rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows while select suites open onto private outdoor terraces. The décor in the rooms was inspired by the nearby gardens "with spring-inspired tones and nature-led hues layered through greens, blush pinks and soft neutrals".

The hotel teams share curated neighbourhood recommendations, from a gin masterclass at Little Lon Distilling Co, rooftop movie night at Brewmanity Beer Co or dinner on The Q Train. 

On level six, the lift doors open to reveal the hotel's restaurant and bar, Foundry, which is open to guests and the public. 

The bar spills onto an outdoor terrace that is likely to be a popular spot for after-work drinks. 

“The sun sets behind Docklands, and during golden hour, the buildings are illuminated and the water sparkles,” said Phillips. “It's just a very nice place to be at that time of day.”

The hotel is an Accor property. 

“The opening of Mercure Melbourne La Trobe Street is a hugely exciting moment for Accor and for Melbourne's tourism offering,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region. 

“The hotel brings a bold new expression of our Mercure brand to the heart of the city, thoughtfully designed for how today's travellers live, work and explore.”

With over 1,000 hotels in more than 70 countries, Mercure is the largest midscale hotel network outside the United States.