Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer – Hotel Review

Business travellers and weekenders alike have their boxes easily ticked at the centrally located Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer, a smart and fresh hotel in the western end of the CBD. Read on for the full review.

So many of the property’s choices tap into the desires of the modern traveller. From the heated lap pool with peeps of the city skyline, the indulgent, daily buffet of the ever-popular Chocolate Hour and the hatted on-site eatery Miss Mi – the fiery cherry on the top of this sleek stay – the hotel leaves few stones unturned for the savvy city-breaker, whatever their Melbourne motivations.

Where is Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer?

Towards the western end of Melbourne’s CBD and directly across from the undulating glass roof of Southern Cross Station. The airport is about 30 minutes north of the hotel by car.

What’s near Mövenpick Hotel Melbourne on Spencer?

The inner city tram network ensures that the to-do notables are no more than a few stops: three stops down Collins Street and an easy 10-minute downhill stroll brings you to Federation Square, with the wonderful ACMI and Ian Potter Centre. The tangle of famed (and frequently photographed) laneways, laced with eateries and bars, is just five tram stops (a few more steps) away.

Room types

Leading with rich teal furnishings and chevron wall accents, Mövenpick’s interiors give a nod to Melbourne’s colourful inner-city character (note the photography adorning the hallways), without ever overwhelming. Rooms are comfy and functional, with plush beds, coffee/tea-making facilities (including Nespresso machines in the Superior Suites), rain showers and bathrobes. In suites, there’s considerably more space, with a living area and desk space, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows and an enormous standalone bathtub.

Restaurants and bars

Miss Mi, an unassuming bistro-style restaurant that looks directly onto the streets of the CBD, does double duty as the host of the hotel’s breakfast buffet service and a seriously good pan-Asian eatery at night. Crowned with a Hat within a few months of opening, it’s a riot of flavour, heat and colour: a reinterpretation of a beloved Filipino dessert in the form of pandan-smeared pile of sago, coconut ice cream, topped with a delicate sheet of young coconut, is a highlight.

There’s also an adjoining bar which serves an ever-evolving cocktail menu, some with guest mixologists, some with their gin collaboration from local distiller Little Lon Distilling Co.

Travel for work

In the evenings, business travellers pool in the lobby/bar hybrid space, tapping away around the communal central table. If you’ve booked a Classic King Room, head here to get some work tasks ticked – it’s suitably vibey, the bar (or café, depending on the hour) is within ordering distance and the wi-fi is free and plentiful.

Pool and gym

Unpredictable Melbourne weather is no match for the 25-metre heated pool at Mövenpick, complemented by an adjoining hot tub and sauna. Open to the elements with slatted windows, the city views are wonderful. There’s also a gym featuring free weights, machines and exercise balls.

Sustainability

Mövenpick appears well on its way to the aimed-for elimination of single-use plastics by the end of 2022. Bathrooms are stocked with eco-conscious touches such as cornstarch toothbrushes and there’s a discernible local focus when it comes to food and beverage suppliers.

Accessibility

Entrance to the hotel is wheelchair-friendly, with ramps adjoining the tiled common spaces and there are a number of accessible rooms.

What you need to know

The poolside plunge area is actually a jacuzzi. Hit the button near the sauna and the jets will instantly blast out a powerfully soothing spray.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in Melbourne’s CBD