This Melbourne hotel is like a portal to the 1930s

A stay at the retro-meets-modern Le Méridien Melbourne is nothing short of a time travel capsule. Located on the Paris end of Bourke Street, the newly opened hotel is the kind of place where you walk in and immediately feel like you’re stepping into a different era.

The 12-storey property, just a 30-minute ride from the airport, is housed in a building with some serious history. Dating all the way back to the 1850s, it has experienced quite a few incarnations—first, as the Excelsior Hotel way back when it was first built; the Palace theatre in the 1910s; an MGM cinema in the late ‘30s through the ‘50s; a live music venue where genre-defying artists such as James Brown, Prince, Slash, and Arctic Monkeys once took the stage; and even as the wildly popular Metro nightclub frequented by locals in the indie sleaze era. Despite an extensive modern facelift that brings it back full circle to its original function as a hotel, the building’s Art Deco façade remains intact. And even today, it exudes a genuine sense of glamour with subtle nods to its storied past.

You don’t even make it through the front door before the charm hits you. A modern mural of vibrant silhouettes by artist Stephen Baker greets you at the driveway. Step inside, and mid-century-inspired furnishings as well as a very warm staff welcome you. Art, in fact, is everywhere, with contemporary works by local artists such as a sculptural installation by Marta Figueiredo and projected video art by Wendy Yu playing on a screen, adding a modern touch.

I decide to shake off my jetlag with a cup of Magic (a double ristretto shot with milk—and a Melbourne specialty) expertly crafted by the barista at Intermission, the open-plan café that alludes to the building’s days as a cinema. The vibe here screams 1950s espresso bar with green marble counters and terrazzo details that pay tribute to the city’s famed coffee culture and iconic neighbouring institutions like Pelegrini’s. There’s even theatre-style lighting and the menu is displayed on a board high on the wall that mimics the style of an old school concession stand. During the day, orders are all about barista-brewed Axil coffee and fresh bakes, but come evening, Intermission transforms into a chic wine bar, where you can catch up over petit plates and a glass (or bottle) of wine.

Caffeinated and curious, I head to my room—and let me tell you, it’s the kind of space that tempts you to cancel all your plans. The Le Méridien brand was born at the height of the golden age of travel courtesy Air France, so the retro-modern aesthetic spills onto the rooms. Mine is sleek and outfitted in soothing neutral tones with vintage accents. There are air-force blue velvet chairs (a nod to the hotel’s Air France origins), floor-to-ceiling windows, vintage-y looking Marshall Bluetooth speakers, a floating wooden desk, and little colourful frames with contemporary artworks that bring you back to reality. The in-room coffee machine comes with artisan pods and there are signature bottled cocktails by The Everleigh Bottling Co for when you need a little pick-me-up.

If you let your budget loose, the suites on the higher floors elevate the experience with kitchenettes featuring retro-looking Smeg appliances, classic oak board games, and a Yamaha MusicCast 500 turntable with a curation of vinyls from artists who once performed on-site (yes, they’ve thought of everything).

From my perch on the 9th floor, I spot the Parliament building and its gardens, Princess Theatre, and even the gothic spires of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I can’t talk about the room without mentioning the spacious marble bathroom fitted with Malin + Goetz products and a very inviting bathtub. Even if you don’t have time for a soak, you’ll note the shower pressure is phenomenal.

Despite its central location, there’s plenty to do in the hotel itself should you choose to stay in. The 24-hour wellness centre is stocked with everything you need for a killer sweat sesh and a sauna. Here too, there’s things to discover: the French Toile de Jouy wallpaper on the wall features pastoral scenes of people working out. The general manager Peter Minatsis tells me the same wallpaper is used in Le Méridien gyms all over the world. And, sticking to their theme, there’s even a snug Smeg fridge stocked with cold towels you can grab for your workout.

Dinner at Dolly, the hotel’s restaurant just down the spiral Art Deco staircase in the lobby, is another trip through time. Named after the Dolly zoom, the cinematography technique Hitchcock pioneered in his 1958 movie Vertigo, the restaurant is low-lit, quietly buzzy, and oozing of old Hollywood glamour with its rich wood panelling, chrome fluted accents, and lush mulberry banquettes. If you dress the part, you might just be transported to the 1930s—only this time, there’s Wi-Fi and air conditioning. Dolly’s set menu is organised into ‘Act 1, Act 2, The Main Act and The Grand Finale’. Ordering the freshly shucked oysters with a side of lemon and tarragon raspberry mignonette here is non-negotiable. With it comes a menu of artful cocktails (inspired by artists who once graced the stage and screen on-site). At the end of the meal, the TikTok-famous Bombe Alaska steals the show. With its rum-torched meringue, popcorn, and salted caramel ice cream, it’s just as theatrical as the space’s history and just as indulgent IRL as it looks on social media.

At Dolly, the hotel’s dimly-lit restaurant, if you dress the part, you might just be transported to the 1930s—only this time, there’s Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

It’s always sunny at Le Méridien

But Le Méridien isn’t just about nostalgia—it can also transport you to the perfect European summer with its Au Soleil programme. Currently, summer’s in full swing in Australia with temperatures soaring above 30°C, and if you, like me, are the kind of person who can’t bear the cold and seek a bit of warmth and luxury, this might just be the perfect escape.

The crowning jewel is Le Splash, the hotel’s rooftop bar and heated pool with unparalleled views of the city. Set to a comfortable 28°C all-year-round, the pool is impossible to resist. Picture yourself basking in the sun on yellow-and-white striped loungers, sipping crisp rosé, playing backgammon, and indulging in lobster rolls between dips. The panoramic views are just the cherry on top.

Another added topping is Le Scoop, the hotel’s handcrafted gelato, which you can sample every time you go people-watching through the hotel corridors. The maple pecan flavour, recommended by general manager Peter Minatsis, is to die for, though I was also partial to the strawberry sorbet. I grabbed a scoop every time I walked through the lobby during my three-day stay, and recommend you do the same.

If you do decide to venture out, there’s a tram stop right outside the hotel, but honestly, you don’t need to go far. Within walking distance, you’ll find charming cafés, local eateries, and even a Chinatown for some of the best Asian food in town.

Besides access to quality food, parks, and shopping, sports fans will love that the Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (also visible from the property) are just a 20-minute walk or 5-minute car ride away. Shopping addicts can head straight down Bourke Street to Emporium Melbourne for some retail therapy. For the culture crowd, the National Gallery of Victoria too, is close by, as are the city’s iconic art-emblazoned cobbled laneways.

With a timeless environment that’s defined by authenticity and attention to the smallest details, the hotel showcases some of the best of Melbourne’s artistic and cultural heritage inside. And all this with a gelato in hand.