Global hotel group, Standard International, marks its first Australian outpost with the opening of The StandardX, Melbourne. With 11 properties in its portfolio, and more openings planned, The Standard Hotels have become renowned for their party-ready reputation and as a creative hub that beats to the pulse of the cultural zeitgeist. Designed by renowned architecture firm Woods Bagot, The StandardX, Melbourne marks the group’s Australian debut, a younger, grittier and more affordable sister-brand to The Standard Hotels.
Fully equipped and fitted out for the discerning traveller, the 125 guest rooms span six floors and are awash with a palette of blue and white. All rooms feature a plush king-sized bed and a millwork ledge that doubles as a writing corner.
Stepping off Rose Street’s colourful street art and through The StandardX, Melbourne’s signature red revolving door, guests are welcomed into a bright and airy lobby. With interiors from acclaimed Melbourne-based firm Hecker Guthrie, the hotel takes inspiration from Fitzroy’s post-punk Little Band scene, in keeping with the brand’s artistic and urban aesthetic, whilst matching the colourful grit and creativity of the Fitzroy neighbourhood.
With warm, rich tones and calming beige hues, the hotel’s entrance provides a tranquil haven away from the hustle and bustle of Fitzroy. Stone columns are wrapped in macramé, hand-made by local artist Sarah Smalltown, and a series of photorealistic flower works from Australian artist Dane Lovett hang above the bar. Contemporary custom furniture, designed to sink into, is mixed with antique pieces collected from local Melbourne ateliers.
With community and creativity at the core of the Standard brand DNA, a communal table commandeers the front of the ground floor space, with windows that open to Rose Street that flood the space with natural light. Hotel guests and neighbourhood residents alike are invited to use the space as their own, whether for remote working, morning meetings or coffee catch-ups, The StandardX, Melbourne’s doors are open to everyone.
Moving through the downstairs space, the hotel’s restaurant, BANG, from Melbourne-born Chef Justin Dingle-Garciyya, offers an all-day menu of dishes inspired by the street food of Thailand. From 7 AM – 10 PM daily, the restaurant offers both guests and locals flavourful Thai fare, with highlights including:
- Blue swimmer crab donuts
- Pork belly and glass noodle rolls with plum chutney
- Roasted duck leg curry red curry with a crispy duck skin crumb, peanuts and red rice
- Fried eggplant with shallots, sesame dressing, coriander and lime
- Banana Roti with toasted coconut ice-cream
Throughout the week, BANG’s Happy Hour runs from 3 – 6 PM, Tuesday – Friday, and offers diners two-for-one longnecks and $12 Prosexy, a signature house prosecco made in collaboration with Fin Wines (Yarra Valley), flavoured with lime leaf and lemongrass.
Winding down, ‘The Loft’ sits behind the restaurant, replete with plush sofas and a crackling fireplace, the perfect place for a night-cap before retiring to bed.
For those who want to keep the party going, the hotel’s in-house concept store and retail space, The Box, operates as the hotel’s mini-bar. Stocking a number of local tipples and treats, from Four Pillars gins to bottles from Victoria’s renowned wine country, Pidapipo chocolates and ice-cream to savoury snacks from local artisan producers. Guests are invited to peruse and purchase items, to take back to their rooms or up to The Roof, the hotel’s exclusive rooftop. Alongside the food and beverage offering, products from local artists, designers and lifestyle brands, rotate throughout the space, including ceramics by Sam Gordon, bespoke The StandardX x Flâner candles and Orb Oils’ fragrances.
Beyond the guest rooms, The Roof sits atop the hotel; here, guests can take in the sweeping views of the city’s skyline and beyond, and at the weekends, the space operates with a fully serviced bar and snack menu. Inspired by the earthy tones and bold colours of Mexico, the biophilic design sees an abundance of cacti and greenery, whilst the floor is paved with terracotta tiles. In the warmer months, red fringed umbrellas provide a spot of welcome shade above the mosaic tables and rattan furniture.
