The stage is set for the reintroduction of Le Méridien brand to the Australian market when Le Méridien Melbourne opens its doors in the first quarter of 2023. With a prime uptown CBD location at the Parliament end of Bourke Street, the new hotel will offer 235 guest rooms and suites, a ground floor café and bar, restaurant, meetings and events floor, and a showstopping rooftop pool deck with expansive views overlooking Bourke St, Parliament House, and towards Fitzroy Gardens.
Nestled in Melbourne’s theatre district, 20 Bourke St has a century-long reputation as an entertainment playground. Originally built as a hotel in the 1850’s the site has been a cornerstone of Melbourne’s art and culture scene through its many iterations as a theatre, cinema, nightclub and live performance venue. Coming full circle back to its original interpretation as a hotel, architecture practice Peddle Thorp has designed the 12-storey building behind its historical art deco façade, weaving mid-century modernism with subtle nuances to the building’s halcyon heritage and contemporary local culture.
Born in 1960’s Paris during an era of glamourous air travel, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts – part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands – continues to celebrate cultures around the world through the distinctly European spirit of savouring the good life.
“Melbourne is the ideal home for the relaunch of Le Méridien in Australia” said Sean Hunt, Area Vice President – Australia, New Zealand & Pacific for Marriott International. “With its premium CBD location, showpiece rooftop pool deck, and immersive arts and culinary programme, the property will continue the century-long legacy the site has held as an entertainment playground for Melburnians and visitors.”
The hotel experiences on offer range from the brand’s signature sensory room scents, Malin + Goetz bath amenities and curated new wave music soundtracks; high-impact arrival art installations; Le Scoop by Le Méridien treats and refreshing gelato and, of course (being Melbourne) a carefully sourced and crafted coffee collection served by a master barista.
“As a Paris-born brand, Le Méridien has a classic sensibility connected back to centuries of European hospitality yet also embraces a modern interpretation of guest service. “This juxtaposition of classic and modern is the essence of our Le Méridien aesthetic”, said Peter Minatsis, General Manager, Le Meridien Melbourne. “We look forward to ‘drawing back the curtain’ on Melbourne’s glamourous new visitor offering this summer and connecting guests with the city’s rich history, art, and culture.”
Upon opening, Le Méridien Melbourne will join Marriott Bonvoy’s growing portfolio in Australia, taking the number of hotels in operation to 29, and their tenth hotel in Melbourne. Marriott Bonvoy has opened four hotels in Melbourne since the beginning of 2020, including W Melbourne, Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands, Courtyard by Marriott Flagstaff Gardens and AC by Marriott Melbourne Southbank.
For more information on Le Méridien Melbourne or to make a reservation, please visit lemeridienmelbournehotel.com
