Softly, softly. New Melbourne hotel quietly opens its doors

They call it the silly season because not much happens in the hospitality industry over the Christmas-New Year holidays.

The team at the long-awaited Hannah St Hotel in Melbourne turned that on its head with a quiet opening on the Southbank.

 
Designed by the Flack Studio, the $150 million hotel is promoted as "a celebration of art, architecture, and cultural connection", offering guests the type of immersive experience that could only belong in Melbourne.

“We’re incredibly proud to open our doors and share what’s been taking shape behind the scenes for the past three years,” says Hannah St Hotel GM Peter Minatsis.

“Hannah St Hotel was created to feel connected to its neighbourhood. A place where guests can experience the real Melbourne, not just visit it. From the design to the dining to the small, thoughtful touches in every room, everything has been considered to make people feel welcomed… and we’re doing just that.”



“It’s part grand hotel, part underground bar, part cultural clubhouse,” says designer David Flack, founder and principal of Flack Studio.

“We’ve created a space that feels lived-in, loved, and full of stories.”

Across 188 boutique rooms and suites, guests will find custom furniture, rich textures, curated minibars (as opposed to a randomly stocked minibar? Although these showcase local products); premium amenities and Marshall speakers.

Every room in the TFE Hotels-managed property - part of the Collection by TFE portfolio - offers skyline views.

At the heart of the guest experience is Level 9, a purpose-designed space "for connection, creativity, and wellbeing".

Highlights include a 20-metre indoor pool with city views, steam room and sauna, and a fitness studio. In addition, guests have access to co-working spaces with a dedicated podcast room.

Hannah St Hotel positions itself as a cultural hub, showcasing works by leading Australian artists including Justene Williams and Jazz Money, and offering curated experiences inspired by the city’s arts scene.

The Mulberry Group (the team behind Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine, Molli, and Heide Kitchen) has opened five F&B venues within the hotel.

Founder Nathan Toleman describes the project as a lifelong dream: “With Hannah St, we wanted to capture that same sense of wonder and excitement, but with a Melbourne heartbeat. A place that feels alive, authentic, and inclusive - not just for travellers, but for locals too.”



The Mulberry Group’s venues include Coupette Corner Bistro & Bar, an all-day European bistro; Hannah St Coffee, a hole-in-the-wall espresso bar, Bar Hannah and Carriage Lounge in the lobby,  and The Terrace Lounge, a rooftop bar and lounge.

The hotel is located within the landmark Queensbridge building and adjacent to the $1.7 billion Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Bookings are now open at hannahsthotel.com.

* To celebrate the opening, the Hannah St Hotel Urban Revel Package includes overnight accommodation, daily breakfast for two, two signature cocktails and a 12pm late check-out. It is priced from $395 per night, inclusive of taxes and fees.

Book by March 15 for stays until December 15, 2026.

New Melbourne party space is up in the clouds

Melbourne has a new premium events space inside one of its leading boutique hotels.

Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers this week introduces Eden, a venue on Level 46 of the Southbank hotel.

The space has been transformed into an intimate, design-led spot for hosting parties, events and media launches.

With panoramic views across the Melbourne CBD, contemporary interiors and premium furnishings, Eden is designed to cater across the product launches, private dinners, weddings and social events.

The space accommodates up to 120 guests standing, or 60 seated.



“Eden represents an exciting new chapter for events at Shadow Play by Peppers," said acting GM Nico Macintosh.

"We're thrilled to bring this distinctive Melbourne venue that combines beautifully curated spaces, three-bedroom penthouses and sweeping city views, creating an unforgettable setting for events.”

Catering at Eden will be by Southbank neighbour Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar, offering bespoke options including tailored canapés, multi-course dining and wines and cocktails.

A defining feature of Eden is the ability to extend the experience across a private two-level precinct. Level 46 houses Eden and three additional event spaces, while Level 45 below offers five three-bedroom penthouses "ideal for VIP stays".

Sounds like there might be a party, or two,  coming on.

Eden at Shadow Play Melbourne by Peppers is now open. For reservations and further details, visit ALL.com.

New Melbourne hotel promises a different experience

Melbourne's busy Southbank precinct is to welcome a new hotel arrival this summer with the opening of Hannah St. Hotel - a boutique offering from Collection by TFE Hotels. 

The $150 million new-build hotel is part of the landmark Queensbridge precinct - a new mixed-use development near to the Melbourne Arts Precinct. 

Designed by Melbourne’s Flack Studio, the 188-room hotel aims to fuse art, architecture and music influences "where grit meets glamour, and old meets new".

“This site is incredible, and Hannah St. will deliver an elevated and memorable hotel experience not only through the materiality and aesthetics of the design, but with the F&B and intuitive service on offer,” said interior architect David Flack of the facade, which has drawn comparisons to New York’s iconic Flatiron Building.

“We wanted to create a building that feels like it’s always been here. Something that’s part grand hotel, part underground bar, part cultural clubhouse - with spaces that feel layered and nostalgic, but completely of now.”

Guests can expect custom furniture, expressive colours and collectable art. 

Anchoring Hannah St. Hotel and the Queensbridge precinct will be The Clubhouse - floors dedicated "to lifestyle, movement, and connection" for house guests only.

Think a striking black and white 25-metre lap pool, steam room and sauna, a gym, wellness spaces, along with co-working studios, meeting rooms, and breakaway lounges. 

Evenings shift the energy: from rooftop cocktails on the sun-drenched (a bit optimistic, this is Melbourne) garden terrace to dinners in a private izakaya-style dining room. 

The hotel will offer two conference rooms, an indoor rooftop event space on the 10th floor with sweeping city views, and a collection of adaptable meeting areas. 

Visit hannahsthotel.com for more information.

Another new hotel brand makes its Australian debut

What the world needs now is another new global hotel chain. 

Said no-one ever.

But Australia now has another new brand: AC Hotels, which opened its first hotel in Melbourne this week. 

 

AC Hotels, so the press release blurb tells me, has over 195 hotels in more than 27 countries and territories.

Then comes the bull: "At AC Hotels, every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a seamless guest experience."

Every moment. Remarkable. 

And it goes on: "Each AC Hotel features purposefully designed signature spaces that strike the perfect balance of form and function." 

Now the useful stuff. 

AC Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio of 30 brands, has opened the AC Hotel by Marriott MelbourneSouthbank. 

The new hotel is located in one of Melbourne's premier entertainment precincts and has 205 minimalist rooms and suites, dining, an infinity pool and cocktail bar with  views of the city skyline. 

Sounds nice without all the crapola. 

"The opening marks the AC Hotels brand debut and 14th brand entry within Marriott Bonvoy's portfolio in Australia," said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific. 

"With Australia's border reopening, we look forward to welcoming travellers with a distinctive experience that has been edited to offer only the best of what guests truly need."

The brand's signature AC Lounge is a modern co-working space. Useful. 

The outdoor terrace beside the infinity pool can serve as a pre-function space accommodating up to 200 guests. 

"I am truly delighted to open the first AC Hotel in Australia," said Harry Singh, general manager of AC by Marriott Melbourne Southbank. 

For more information visit https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/melac-ac-hotel-melbourne-southbank/