"First stay at 1 Hotel for an over night city break. Staff in reception and restaurant exceptional. Comfort of bedroom with river view also exceptional. Why not 5 stars? Room 1020 needs a coffee machine that works. Wasted 30 minutes trying to make a nespresso late evening. Folks, for what you are going to pay to stay in 1 Hotel, an in room coffee machine that works is not a big ask. AirBnB unit in Canberra a week ago had an exceptional DeLongi pod coffee maker and milk frother."

"Overview: This relatively new addition to Melbourne’s hotel scene opened in June 2025 and became fully operational by August. Set along 220 meters of the Yarra River in the revitalized North Wharf precinct, the location feels peaceful and slightly removed from the hustle of the CBD—yet it’s still easy to reach on foot or by a quick tram ride. Getting There / Arrival: Travel time from Melbourne Airport ranges from about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed, and our luggage was promptly handled. Check-in was smooth, efficient, and completely stress-free. Room: We stayed three separate nights (using Melbourne as a base for hiking trips). For two nights, we were in a beautiful corner suite overlooking the Yarra River—the views were fantastic and definitely worth it. Our third night was in a non-corner suite, still very nice but without the same standout view. Rooms are modern and thoughtfully designed, featuring electronic temperature controls, LED lighting, and automated curtains. A nice touch was the in-room filtered water station. The hotel also offers a program where guests can leave unwanted clothing to be donated to a local charity partner, which we appreciated. Service: The staff were consistently warm, welcoming, and helpful. A standout moment: we stored our luggage during our hiking trips, and when we returned, everything had already been placed in our room—such a thoughtful and seamless touch. Food & Drink: The coffee was excellent, and breakfast was very good overall. While the bar and dining room menu didn’t quite suit our tastes, others may enjoy it—it’s largely a matter of preference. Final Thoughts: We would definitely recommend staying here. The hotel is beautifully designed, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff go out of their way to make your stay easy and enjoyable. If possible, book a corner suite—the views over the Yarra River really elevate the experience."

"I would strongly advise anyone considering staying at 1 Hotel Melbourne to think twice. The room we stayed in was priced at around $800 AUD per night, so you expect a high standard. Unfortunately, our experience was the complete opposite. To start with, parking in the area is very limited, and the hotel valet costs around $75, which is already excessive. When handing over the keys, my wife specifically asked if she could come back down later to grab jackets if needed, and the staff told her it could be “a bit tricky” with valet, suggesting we just take everything up with us. We followed that advice—which makes what happened next even more frustrating. We stayed in Room 513 on the 12th of March and left behind Black Assembly Label coat and grey and burgundy Adanola knit jumper ( Coat $280 and jumper $180) In the cupboard—items that were absolutely brought into the room with us. When we returned home, we realised and called the hotel that same day, only to be told there was nothing they could do because someone else had already checked into the room. That response alone was concerning. To make matters worse, when we first contacted the hotel, the young female staff we spoke to came across as though they didn’t want to deal with the situation at all. We were told multiple times that someone would contact us back—but that never happened. We had to continuously chase them ourselves, which is unacceptable for a hotel at this level. Over the following two weeks, communication remained poor. The Duty Manager, Bernardo, took far too long to respond throughout the process, dragging out what should have been handled promptly. This issue is now over two weeks old, and still no resolution has been provided. On top of that, the room clearly hadn’t even been cleaned properly. We found a dirty glass with lipstick still on it sitting in the cupboard, which raises serious questions about housekeeping standards. If something that obvious is missed, it’s not hard to imagine how our belongings could go “missing.” Despite multiple follow-ups and emails, the hotel claims they conducted an “extensive investigation,” yet: Nothing was found Nothing was logged No one is accountable They also refused to provide any record of who accessed the room and would not share CCTV footage, citing internal policies. Hotels deal with lost property every day, and there are standard procedures to log and secure items. The fact that nothing at all was recorded is extremely concerning. What’s most disappointing is the complete lack of customer service and accountability. We were given generic responses, no real assistance, and no resolution—despite reporting the issue immediately. At this point, it’s very hard to have any confidence in how this hotel operates. Based on our experience, your belongings are not safe, and you will be left on your own if something goes missing. For a hotel charging this kind of money, this was an incredibly poor experience. Stay here at your own risk."

"Our company had joy hosting colleagues and suppliers at 1 Hotel Melbourne for most of last week; the experience warrants a review. This new kid on block is the most significant addition to the city's high-end luxury in the last 10 years, the Ritz Carlton and W notwithstanding, because it is not lost and tucked away in another building. Rather, it stands proud on the Yarra as a kind of destination urban resort (and residences) in its own right. It, and its London, NYC, Copenhagen, Tokyo (etc) sisters, is the Brainchild of Barry Sternlicht, progenitor of the legendary Starwood Hotels & Resorts whose storied brands (including W) were in 2016 acquired by Marriott. The Starwood hotel trademark has now returned to Mr Sternlicht' s care 10 years on: so 1 (and kindred brands), is a renaissance of the famous Starwood hospitality magic. Reflecting such DNA, our expectations on making reservations were high. The balance of this review provides insight on team, location & concept, room, and food---with the nosh taking the absolute gong among many great things at 1 Hotel Melbourne! TEAM Overall the 'people experience' was terrific. Others have noted in their reviews the playful style of team attire. If your thing is people who are 'themselves' and turn out within a clear but open dress code of denims, stylish pinafores, chinos and a simple dew-green jacket denoting the leader of the gang, and who see themselves as collaborators for your success, I Hotel shall be your roost in Melbourne. it can be said. Most show dedication to the craft, and made the stay. Note that the integrated ground-level space allows the team to function 'like a team' and guests to flow in the space. Not the usual 'grand' lobby and foyer, as cold as ice. Concierge: Nathan, Lucas, Jack and others. People of the world, and engaged. Guest Services: Brendon, Adelaide, Alona, Jasper and others : humor, grace, care. Dining: Award-winning sommelier at "From Here by Mike" [see below] Julie: French trained and typically poised. Scotsman MacGregor: bright eyed and dynamic [plaudits just for the Sean Connery lilt!] Crane's Andy, a cool highly experienced bar director; hostess Vesna lives up to the story of her name--a great messenger. Team lead Shiloh, radiant [and an Australian idol top 30 so a colleague noted]. Rachel [entertainment ... this is a hotel with DJs and maybe a little hard on my ears]. Knowledgeable and humorous Mehmet deserves the 'praise' his Turkish name in fact translates to! June and other junior waiting staff worked hard. Thank you from all of us for the service we encountered. Our team and visitors felt well cared for as Shiloh stage-managed the food and wine deliveries that were pre-planned with MacGregor before he clocked off (for an end-of-week soiree). Seamless, on-time service, where the fries, karogi, charcuterie and pizzas hit spots as we took in the sunset at Crane bar and enjoyed the excellent tap beers. It is true that, like many hotels, the casual staff at busy times seem in need of more polish . . but, overall, the staff story here is a happy, motivated and effective team. The place is well staffed as part of the value-for-money equation, and operates as a full hotel not masquerading as a boarding house (which is now all-too-common at other 5 star hotels) in high cost Australia. LOCATION & CONCEPT This entire property IS a concept: eco-friendly, wellness-minded, humanist. The 1917 Arts & Crafts Seamans Mission building is a gem, and its profile defines the porte cochere boundary onto which it backs. This is a unique heritage building reminiscent of the lyrics of McTell's ballad 'Streets of London' . "Have you seen the old man ...outside the seaman's mission". [Visits are available Thursday afternoons Fri-Sun from noon, btw]. The hotel is a stone's throw from the Southern Cross terminal, diagonally opposite Southbank, in the shadow of the stadium, commands the river and incorporates old wharves in parts. This is sleek architecture meets natural fibres, rock, ceramics, and reclaimed timbers and metal. Let's call it 'curated boho' of a kind. Architecturally it wins hands down : Docklands is dotted with unimaginative towers, alas. It will not be outshone any time soon, and has added to Melbourne's architectural stock per iconic Fender Katsalidis studios. So the Seaman's and Hotel 1 are 'architectural buddies' neither showing up the other but both special. Maybe with shades of Gehry, this is a solid edifice, with vaulting blue sky uninterrupted by the city skyline through its generous lobby glazing. That sky will never be built out. In a wellness-inspired hotel its illumination, alone, delivers wellbeing for free by providing head space away from bustle. Melbourne downtown has become forest-lik: 1 Hotel is a retreat. Night falls and the sparkly lightshow of the docklands, the CBD, and illuminated footbridges produce a 'mini Manhattan' vibe: so there is a daytime 1 Hotel and a night-time version making it perfect for shopping or business in town ... then sanctuary one step removed. The boardwalk is thronged with urban dwellers and runners exercising calf muscles or pedigree pooch. This is both a wellness and eco inspired hotel: expect 'surround-sound' green featuring more than 7,000 plants tended by this 277 room / 114 residence complex. If you wanted to play hide-and-seek in the communal spaces, there is enough established trees to carry it off. Otherwise known as cul-de-sac, intimate, places. Convivial. The overall impression in an 'oasis feel' as the Yarra glides by. ROOM and FACILITIES My room on the mid level looked out on a terrace garden when curtains drawn. Corridors feature 'living green-wall' panels at each portal. It measured up as good space, good illumination, and simplicity. You will not be stressed out with gadgets and control panels that defeat, but all mod cons prevail. [If you are stressed, the Bamford wellness spa, gym and pools will please]. There's a filtered water tap separate to the bathroom. Shower generous. Minibar, relaxed tray style, is tempting curated indulgence. Bed is always a 'Goldilocks' personal thing! But it was ample in all respects. Blackout superb. 1-switch-lights out. As Shakespeare has it: "sleep, chief nourisher in life's feast". As a wellness brand, this hotel has the recipe for "sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care". The Bard's words too. Wellness is at 1 Hotel's heart . . . and this being good at sleep is indeed good for the heart. Barry Sternlicht led a global 'fix up the sleep' lodging revolution in the early noughties, so no surprises in this: deep Starwood DNA is deep sleep. FOOD It is here that the eagle truly landed at 1 Hotel Melbourne. Hotel all-day diners are usually tiring, flat, empty and proforma; almost afterthought. Even in eminent brands. This one is a hardworking antidote. You know what it is like: you forsake the lobby offer because it feels so barren. Not here. Impresario, chef and licensor, Mike McEnearney, has created a born-success in "From Here by Mike", peer to the best of the best gastronomy in the ebullient Melbourne foodie scene. We were lucky he was in residence during our stay (as he moves between his venues). A local-produce menu in a very comfortable dining space: views to the water, and chefs on duty of evident passion. Note too: at very reasonable ask for a hatted dining experience. McEnearney is a man who ponders Hippocrates' four humours as they might correlate with herbing dishes. You can therefore imagine the rest. Freshness and simplicity but interesting flavours. Think a menu long enough for a 5-day stay but not baffling and convoluted. Think healthy but not Swiss sanitorium! Kingfish carpaccio was our guests' stand out. Mine was the Roasted Sugarloaf Cabbage. Exquisite. Fantastic soundoughs and ryes. Any number of juices. And the mainly local wine list continues the "from here" theme with superb choices but not 20 sheets! The Avoca Shiraz is worthy of mention here with the same body of a Barossa without the shouting. Steakhouse steaks with generous and thoughtful accompaniments. All this is fuelled by real wood fires for a roasting all veggies love, and classic thin-crust pizza. Breakfast is a la carte value-for-money, no fuss. From Here by Mike is a true "place" nowhere near your typical lobby dining place. You are unlikely to desire to trudge around outside if you are tired, or busy, or both! Remember, From Here faces-off with dozens of choices just across river. The teas are hot, select and generous; and not tainted with coffee water or in stupid leaky vessels . . . bugbears surprisingly common in hotels. 1 Hotel coffee is fair trade sourced and Melbourne par (to be expected). Bravo Mike; and bravo the team actualizing his considerable vision with speed and class. Pastries and juices FYI are delightful too and available at Neighbours along with some F&B retail. QUIBBLES This is a new and big beast. 8 and a bit months new. The brass-plated beverages list in the annex to the dining room is heavy, perhaps 900g heavy, and the kind of thing people either love or loathe. I guess it is for outside. And fair enough. The iron in room is hard to spot at a glance, so calls were placed, and it was confirmed that 'where's the iron' is a common enough call down. In a black box on a black shelf is the answer! It is labelled but I was rushing at the time. Black on black is the ultimate hideout. A little note next to the iron board, "iron on shelf above", would be a fix perhaps. The cabbage is a steak by another name, and such a knife would have helped. It was correctly not a limp nothing but crunch, so needed a bit of work. Sawing on the beautiful stonewares could have skidded on to the beautiful terra cotta tiles. And I held out for bread whereas such a dish and its rich black garlic sauce should make it a 'prompted side' at ordering. The combo was scrumptious (and virtuous!!). In conclusion: the eagle has without any doubt landed at 9 Maritime Place. 1 Hotel Melbourne contributes a lot to its city, and lives up to its ambitious naming. A gutsy luxury statement that does not disappoint, and in fact excites. Thank you team @ 1 Hotel Melbourne: Paul Anderson and colleagues. A great pleasure, to which we shall definitely be returning for lunches, dinners, stays and events."

"This hotel is one of the better ones in Melbourne. The service was great, the food was delicioius, the wine bar was great place to hang out, the rooms were a little bit luxurious and the bed was super comfortable. There is is lots to look at in this hotel with lots of textures imbeded in the decore"